Seventy

Moses chose seventy men from his people for an audience with Allah. When the earthquake struck them, he said, “My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them and me before this. Will You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is only Your trial, by which You lead astray and guide whomever You will. You are our Guardian, so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the best of forgivers.”

7:155And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them, he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before, and me with them. Wilt thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did? It is but Thy trial (of us). Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt: Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness.

“Grant us good in this world and in the Hereafter. We have turned to You.” He said, “I will grant My punishment to whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will grant it to those who are mindful, give charity, and believe in Our signs.”

7:156And ordain for us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter (that which is good), Lo! We have turned unto Thee. He said: I smite with My punishment whom I will, and My mercy embraceth all things, therefore I shall ordain it for those who ward off (evil) and pay the poor-due, and those who believe Our revelations;