Al-Samiri

Al-Samiri is the man who, during Musa's absence to receive the Revelation, fashioned a golden calf and led the Hebrews to worship it. The Quran reports his punishment: isolation in this world, and an inevitable appointment in the next.

When Musa was away to meet his Lord, he left his people in the care of his brother Harun. It was then that Al-Samiri seized this absence. He collected the gold jewellery the people were wearing, melted it down, and fashioned from it a calf — a hollow body from which emerged a sound like a lowing.

He declared to the Hebrews: 'This is your god and the god of Musa, which he has forgotten here.' Part of the people were won over and worshipped the calf, despite the warnings of Harun who remained faithful (the Quran clearly vindicates Harun of this fault).

On his return, Musa, furious, questioned Al-Samiri. He admitted to having followed what his soul had suggested to him. Musa pronounced his punishment: in this world he would be condemned to say 'do not touch me,' living apart from everyone; and in the Hereafter an inescapable appointment awaited him. As for the calf, it was burned and its ashes scattered in the sea.

Al-Samiri shows how a single manipulator can lead an entire community astray by exploiting its weakness and attachment to appearances. His punishment — isolation — mirrors his crime: one who sows division among believers ends up cut off from all.

فَأَخْرَجَ لَهُمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُ خُوَارٌ فَقَالُوا هَٰذَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُ مُوسَىٰ فَنَسِيَ

Ce dernier avait façonné pour eux un veau, un corps sans vie émettant comme un mugissement. Certains Hébreux s’étaient alors exclamés : « Voici notre Dieu et le Dieu de Moïse qu’il a laissé ici ! »

20:88

قَالَ فَاذْهَبْ فَإِنَّ لَكَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ أَن تَقُولَ لَا مِسَاسَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّن تُخْلَفَهُ

Moïse s’exclama : « Va-t’en ! Ton châtiment consistera ici-bas à te déclarer intouchable, tandis que dans l’au-delà t’est fixé un rendez-vous inéluctable. Regarde à présent ton dieu auquel tu as voué un culte assidu. Nous allons le brûler avant d’en disperser les restes dans la mer. »

20:97