Al-Baqarah 2:70

<h2>The Stubbornness of the Jews regarding the Cow; Allah made the Matter difficult for Them</h2><p>Allah mentioned the stubbornness of the Children of Israel and the many unnecessary questions they asked their Messengers. This is why when they were stubborn, Allah made the decisions difficult for them. Had they slaughtered a cow, any cow, it would have been sufficient for them, as Ibn `Abbas and `Ubaydah have said. Instead, they made the matter difficult, and this is why Allah made it even more difficult for them. They said, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّنَ لَّنَا مَا هِىَ</div><p>(Call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is!), meaning, "What is this cow and what is its description" Musa said, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ لاَّ فَارِضٌ وَلاَ بِكْرٌ</div><p>(He says, `Verily, it is a cow neither too old nor too young'), meaning, that it is neither old nor below the age of breeding. This is the opinion of Abu Al-`Aliyah, As-Suddi, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, `Ata', Al-Khurasani, Wahb bin Munabbih, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and Ibn `Abbas. Ad-Dahhak reported that Ibn `Abbas said that, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">عَوَانٌ بَيْنَ ذلِكَ</div><p>(But (it is) between the two conditions) means, "Neither …

They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us what (cow) she is. Lo! cows are much alike to us; and Lo! if Allah wills, we may be led aright.

They said: "Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what she is: To us are all heifers alike: We wish indeed for guidance, if Allah wills."

They said, "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."

They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us which one; the heifers look alike to us; and God willing, we will be guided.”