Surah Ta-Ha 20:91
سُورَةُ طه · Meccan · Verse 91 of 135
قَالُوا۟ لَن نَّبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عَٰكِفِينَ حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ
Translation
but they replied, ‘We shall not give up our devotion to it until Moses returns to us.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse captures a moment of stark defiance from the people of Musa (Moses), who had turned to calf-worship in his absence. When Musa's brother Harun (Aaron) confronted them and tried to guide them back to Allah, their response was immediate and resolute.
Unwavering Refusal
The first words they utter, قَالُوا۟ لَن نَّبْرَحَ (They said, "We will never cease..."), immediately convey their stubbornness. The particle لَنْ (lan) is crucial here, as it signifies a strong, definitive negation in the future. It's not just "we will not cease," but a firm, absolute declaration: "we *will absolutely never* cease." This highlights the depth of their commitment to their new idol. The verb نَّبْرَحَ (nabrah) means to leave or depart; when paired with a descriptor like 'devoted', it means to continue in that state. They were announcing their unwavering resolve.
Dedicated Devotion
Their commitment is further emphasized by the phrase عَلَيْهِ عَٰكِفِينَ (upon it, devoted/secluded). The word عَٰكِفِينَ (aakifeen) describes a state of continuous presence and deep dedication, often with the intention of worship, as Ibn Ashur explains. It implies more than just staying; it means actively *devoting* oneself. The order of the words, placing عَلَيْهِ (alaihi - upon it) before the word it describes, `عاكفين`, serves to strengthen the statement and underscores the exclusivity of their devotion *to the calf*. They weren't just generally devoted; they were specifically dedicating their worship to *it* and no other.
A Conditional Rebellion
This firm resolve, however, had a condition: حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ (until Musa returns to us). The word حَتَّىٰ (hatta - until) sets a precise boundary for their defiance. They weren't rejecting Musa outright, but they refused to abandon their calf worship until Musa himself returned. As al-Razi and Ibn Ashur note, this reflects their reliance on Musa's word over Harun's, and perhaps a form of "blind following and denial" (تقليد وجحود) towards Harun's arguments. They were essentially saying, "We will not be moved by your arguments, Harun, but will wait for Musa to speak to us directly." This reveals a delaying tactic, showing that while they were committed to their sin, there was still an underlying expectation for Musa.
The precise wording chosen by Allah to recount their response vividly portrays the firm, unyielding, yet conditional nature of their rebellion.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ta-Ha 20:91 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ta-Ha 20:91 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.