your translation ; And ˹remember˺ when Moses said to his people, “O my people! Surely you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf, so turn in repentance to your Creator and execute ˹the calf-worshippers among˺ yourselves. That is best for you in the sight of your Creator.” Then He accepted your repentance. Surely He is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful. The above translation of 2:54 makes Moses seem like he was commanded to kill the individuals who worshipped the golden calf. God never advocates vice (7:28), and to think that God authorized the killing of others for what they decided to worship is completely contrary to the Quran. God in the Quran in no uncertain terms tells believers that “aggression is only permitted against the aggressors”, and that as believers we are never authorized to be aggressors but only can fight in self defense (2:190-193). [2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors. [2:191] You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers. [2:192] If they refrain, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [2:193] You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors. So what is the correct translation for 2:54 and where is the confusion coming from? The word nafs in Arabic has multiple meanings. Typically it means the self, but it can also mean the ego. It just happens that 2:54 uses the term أَنْفُسَكُمْ / anfusakum twice. While the first occurrence is in reference to the self, the second occurrence is in reference to the ego. When a person chooses to follow their ego they are putting their own opinion over what God is commanding them to do. When they do this they are setting up their ego as a god and thus committing idol worship. [25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate? (٤٣) أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ أَفَأَنْتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلًا So now let’s look at how this verse should be translated in a manner that does not contradict the other verses of the Quran. [2:54] Recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator.” He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَاقَوْمِ إِنَّكُمْ ظَلَمْتُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ بِاتِّخَاذِكُمُ الْعِجْلَ فَتُوبُوا إِلَىٰ بَارِئِكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ عِنْدَ بَارِئِكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحيم