Posted by Lamont Cranston on February 10, 2001 at 08:05:54:
Let's examine Aaron's journey in to hypocrisy and on to "atonement" a little further.
Omar and Samuel argue that he fell into disbelief, "atoned" and was accepted by Allah. They say thet the "books" back them up on this.
However, Aaron's crimes still stand as there were still victims of his shortcomings (ego?, low self-esteem?)
So even though he was "wash whiter than snow", "redeemed", "atoned" etc., he still, while away from that which he professed belief, failed. And his failure caused others to fail because (PERHAPS) he was gifted with speech and (PERHAPS) had been seen as the second in command to God's man, Moses.
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?...