سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ

Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 91

Taa-Haa · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 318

قَالُوا۟ لَن نَّبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عَـٰكِفِينَ حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ ﴿91﴾
They said: "We will not stop worshipping it (i.e. the calf), until Mûsâ (Moses) returns to us."
قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
لَن lan Never
نَّبْرَحَ nabraḥa we will cease
عَلَيْهِ ʿalayhi being devoted to it
عَـٰكِفِينَ ʿākifīna being devoted to it
حَتَّىٰ ḥattā until
يَرْجِعَ yarjiʿa returns
إِلَيْنَا ilaynā to us
مُوسَىٰ mūsā Musa

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 91){ قَالُوْا لَنْ نَّبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عٰكِفِيْنَ …: ’’ عَكَفَ يَعْكُفُ عُكُوْفًا ‘‘} (ن) means to sit in a place with the intention of worship and seeking closeness. When Harun (peace be upon him) told the Children of Israel to abandon the worship of the calf and to go with him towards Tur behind Musa (peace be upon him), they very stubbornly rejected both of his requests, saying that until Musa (peace be upon him) returns, we will neither go with you nor abandon the devotion to the calf.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

91.1 The Israelites liked this calf so much that they did not care about the words of Harun ؑ and refused to stop venerating and worshipping it.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

They said, "We will never cease to worship it until Moses returns to us [63]."

[63]
The Threat of the Calf-Worshippers to Sayyiduna Harun:

When these people began to indulge in calf-worship, Harunؑ promptly warned them. This calf is absolutely not your deity; your deity can only be the One who is your Creator, Owner, and Sustainer. Therefore, refrain from this calf-worship, obey me, and do not fall for Samiri’s deception. But how could this long-corrupted nation understand the command of a gentle-natured person like Sayyiduna Harunؑ? They said: Sit quietly and mind your own business. When Musa comes, we will see what happens. For now, we are not ready to abandon this practice.