(2:64) Then you turned away after that. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers. (2:65) And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the sabbath, and We said to them, "Be apes, despised." (2:66) And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded [them] and a lesson for those who fear Allah. (2:67) 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." (2:68) 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." (2:69) They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us what is her color." He said, "He says, `It is a yellow cow, bright in color - pleasing to the observers.` " (2:70) 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."
