The Story of Yellow Cow

Allah the Almighty says: {And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.” They said, “Do you take us in ridicule?” He said, “I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant.” They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is.” [Moses] said, “[ Allah ] says, ‘It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,’ so do what you are commanded.” They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us what is her colour.” He said, “He says, ‘It is a yellow cow, bright in colour - pleasing to the observers.’ “They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, [all] cows look alike to us. And indeed we, if Allah wills, will be guided.” He said, “He says, ‘It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free from fault with no spot upon her.’ “ They said, “Now you have come with the truth.” So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it. And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allah was to bring out that which you were concealing. So, We said, “Strike the slain man with part of it.” Thus does Allah bring the dead to life, and He shows you His signs that you might reason.} Surah Al-Baqara

The story of the yellow cow took place during the prophethood of Musa. The story begins with a righteous but poor man, whose sole prized possession, was a beautiful cow. The cow was unique, it was unblemished and yellow in colour. The man entrusted the cow to his son.

After his father died. He took good care of the cow. Meanwhile, a wealthy man was murdered. The discovery of his body created an uproar. They disputed the identity of the killer, and this murder created a lot of suspicion and distrust within the community.

It was crucial for keeping the peace within Bani Israel that the murderer was identified. However, there were no clues. The Israelites disputed and debated until one of them suggested that they consult Musa AS on how to solve this problem.

Then, they asked Musa AS to ask his Lord for a solution. Musa AS asked Allah, and he was commanded by Allah to command his people to slaughter a cow. This announcement was met with incredulity by Bani Israel and they accused him of making fun of them. Musa sought the command from Allah and: “[Musa] said, ‘[Allah] says, ‘it is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,’ so do what you are commanded.” (Al Qur’an 2:68)

This condition was not difficult to comply with, as the description of the cow was still so general that it would have been easy to find a cow of matching description.

Yet, unwilling to obey, Bani Israel continued with their questioning and this time, asked for the colour of the cow. Therefore, Musa AS had to ask Allah again for his command. They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is.” [Musa] said, “[Allah] says, ‘It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,’ so do what you are commanded.” (Al Qur’an 2:69)

Bani Israel demanded a further description:

“Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided.” (Al Qur’an 2:70)

The only cow fulfilling the detailed criteria set by Allah was that belonging to the son of pious parents.

Once the cow was slaughtered, Musa AS instructed them with the command of Allah to strike the dead man with a piece of meat from the cow. When they struck the murder victim, he was resurrected by Allah the Almighty. Musa asked him who his murderer was. The murder victim identified his murderer and then became lifeless again.