(The Heifer*)
Moses said to his people, “God commands you to sacrifice a heifer.” They said, “Are you mocking us?” He said, “God forbid, that I should behave like the ignorant ones.”
وَإِذ قالَ موسىٰ لِقَومِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأمُرُكُم أَن تَذبَحوا بَقَرَةً قالوا أَتَتَّخِذُنا هُزُوًا قالَ أَعوذُ بِاللَّهِ أَن أَكونَ مِنَ الجٰهِلينَ
wa iz qaala Moosaa liqawmiheee innal laaha yaamurukum an tazbahoo baqaratan qaalooo atattakhizunna huzuwan qaala a’oozu billaahi an akoona minal jaahileen
*2:67 Although this sura contains important laws and commandments, including the contact prayers, fasting, Hajj pilgrimage, and the laws of marriage, divorce, etc., the name given to the sura is “The Heifer.” This reflects the crucial importance of submission to God and immediate, unwavering obedience to our Creator. Such submission proves our belief in God’s omnipotence and absolute authority. See also the Bible’s Book of Numbers, Chapter 19.