40 Days

When Prophet Moses secluded himself away from his people to receive Allaah's divine orders, his people turned from complete faith to complete infidelity in a matter of 40 days only. Knowing that those are the same people who crossed the sea with him and who defied the Pharaoh, those who remained steadfast in the face of huge tests, it is really shocking to see how they could change that drastically in such a short period of time when they lost the sense of direction and guidance.

Were they hypocrites? Is it a question of how deep they believed before the 40 days? Or is this not a parameter in the first place? No one can endure such hardships without truly believing in the cause behind them. Were they steadfast only because of Moses’ profound effect on them, and when they lost that everything else was forgotten? How can a true believer turn into a rejecter of faith in 40 days? 40 days and not years, 40 days; a month and 10 days?! A period that is too short to be felt in the first place. How could they forget all about the One Almighty God who created everything and who has the sovereignty above every creature in the worlds and replace HIM with a statue of gold, in just 40 days?

Was it too much self-confidence? Or was it too much reliance on having a faithful heart and a concrete creed? I believe this was the reason why they strayed. This is also why we have to remain conscious of our hearts and not rely too much on present steadfastness, even if we are true believers hence no one can even claim this and be so sure about it.