THE PROPOSAL OF MAKING IDOLS TO MOSES!

VERSES NO. 138 - 141

      The end of Moses' combat was the start of his contest with the ignorant and superstitious Israelites. When they passed over, they saw a people in worship of some idols they had. The appearance of their devotion who showed fervor and reverence in religious observances, seemd very attractive to some of the Israelites, and they proposed to Moses to fashion a god like theirs for them! Moses was struck with astonishment by hearing that; for, the creed of Israelites was supposed to be that ofABRAHAM. By the proposal he knew how difficult his task was in dealing with the children of Israel. In answer to them he said:

      ``You are indeed an ignorant people - the idolatries have no base in truth, and is liable to perish. Vain is that which these idolaters do or have done.''

      The verse implies that the source of idolatries is ignorance and lack of knowledge about God.

      The Israelites who had lived in Egypt for 430 years (EXODUS 12: 40) and had a low life among the Egyptains were deeply affected by their cults and creeds and had obtained the background for accepting idolatries and false gods, even though their own creed was Monotheism. In order to waken up their sleeping conscience, Moses added:

      ``Should I seek for you a god other than Allah who gave you superiority over the nations?''