Al-Samiri — السَّامِرِيّ
سامری
Also known as: —
Path — Deviated Path | گمراہی
Reason: Seduced Bani Israel into worshipping the golden calf; crafted a lie about taking dust from the messenger’s footstep; condemned to isolation (20:96-97)
Story — English
A man among Bani Israel who, during Musa’s absence to receive the Torah, collected the people’s gold jewelry and melted it into a calf that made a lowing sound. He claimed he had taken a handful of dust from the footprint of the messenger (Jibreel) and cast it into the calf, giving it a special power. Musa returned furiously, challenged Samiri directly. Samiri’s explanation: ‘I saw what they did not see.’ He was condemned by Musa to spend his life alone, saying ‘touch me not’ — and he would wander declaring ‘no touch’ for the rest of his life. His calf would be burned and scattered into the sea.
کہانی — اردو
بنی اسرائیل میں سے شخص جس نے غیاب موسیٰ میں سونے کا بچھڑا بنایا۔ کہا: ‘فرشتے کے قدموں سے مٹی لی تھی’۔ موسیٰ نے سزا دی: باقی زندگی اکیلا رہے گا، کہے گا ‘مجھے مت چھونا’۔ بچھڑا جلا کر سمندر میں بہا دیا گیا۔
Lessons from the Quran
- A single bad actor with a persuasive lie can lead an entire community astray
- The golden calf — material attraction dressed as spirituality
- A specific, crafted lie (‘I took dust from the messenger’s footstep’) — deception always needs a story
- Social isolation as punishment — the opposite of community