[2:52] Then We pardoned you after that so that you might be thankful.
The quickness in pardoning such a grave sin indicates the lesser weight of those being pardoned. God Most High's words testify to that [in addressing the wives of the Prophet], 'Whoever of you commits manifest indecency the chastisement shall be doubled for her' [33:30]. The Children of Israel worshiped the calf so God Most High said, 'Then We pardoned you after that'. To the community [of Muḥammad (ṣ)] He said, 'and whoever does an atom's weight of evil shall see it' [99:8].