THE ISRAELITES AT MOUNT SINAI (VERSES NO. 155 - 156)

      Again reference is made to another aspect of the incident of Mount Sinai. Moses had taken with him seventy elects of the elders up to the Mount. They were to be silent witnesses, and therefore were left at some distance from the point where God spoke to Moses. Their faith being not perfect, they said to Moses that: ``We will not believe in your mission, until we see God in person!'' To this effect, Moses said to God:

      ``My Lord! Show us that we may see you and have a look upon you!'' and the Lord answered: ``O, Moses! I cannot be seen! No one can ever see me by his sense of sight! Just have a look at the mountain, and if it did stay firm at its place, you may then expect to see me.'' When the Lord manifested to the mountain; Lo! An Earthquake! and the mountain was shaken and vibrated, and its top stones crushed to dust! All the Israelites, as well as Moses were dazed with thunder and lightning. They might have been destroyed, but when Moses recovered interceded with God on their behalf, saying:

      ``My Lord! You could have destroyed us before. Do you destroy us for what some fools among us have done or said?''

      Here Moses, was guiltless, but he identified himself with his whole people and interceded on their behalf.

      As far as the Israelites elders and elects were so foolish that they asked their prophet to see their God - the creator of all beings, with their limited sight and weak eyes, it should not be strange if some of their common people and laymen ask their prophet to make an idol for them to worship, (Q, S7: 138) or another group of them take a golden image of a calf for the God of Israel who passed them over and led them out of Egypt!

      Eventually Allah answered the prayer of His Messenger on condition that:

      ``I will punish whom I will, according to my justice, those who indeed deserve my punishment. On the other hand, My Mercy is universal, and is for all my creatures and extends to every thing; and in particular I will have my Mercy on those who believe, and avoid evil, and pay alms- tax to help those who need their help.''

      It is narrated that our prophet Mohammad S.A., heard someone saying in his supplication: ``My Lord! Have Mercy on me and Mohammad, such a mercy that you may bestow it on no one else!''

      Our prophet disliked that sort of prayer, and said to him: ``Do you want to limit something which is limitless?!''