1mran
30th April 2007, 12:14 PM
Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Talūt (Saul) and Jalūt (Goliath)
This is a short story in The Quran. It can be found in Surah Baqarah, Verses 246 251. I have used the translation of Dr. Muhsin Khan, and the Tafsir (commentary) of the Quran by Imam Ibn Katheer.
Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musā (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allāh's Way." (Al-Baqarah 2:246)
Mujahid said that the Prophet (mentioned in the Ayah 2:246 above) is Shamwil (Samuel). Wahb bin Munabbih said: The Children of Israel remained on the straight path for a period of time after Moses. They then innovated in the religion and some of them even worshipped the idols. Yet, there were always Prophets sent among them who would command them to work righteous deeds, refrain from doing evil and who would rule them according to the commands of the Torah. When they (Israelites) committed the evil that they committed, Allah caused their enemies to overwhelm them, and many fatalities fell among them as a consequence. Their enemies also captured a great number of them, and took over large areas of their land. Earlier, anyone who would fight the Israelites would lose, because they had the Torah and the Tabut, which they inherited generation after generation ever since the time of Moses, who spoke to Allah directly. Yet, the Israelites kept indulging in misguidance until some king took the Tabut from them during a battle. That king also took possession of the Torah, and only a few of the Israelites who memorized it remained.
The prophethood halted among their various tribes and only a pregnant woman remained of the offspring of Lavi (Levi), in whom the prophet hood still appeared. Her husband had been killed, so the Israelites kept her in a house so that Allah may give her a boy, who would be their Prophet. The woman also kept invoking Allah to grant her a boy. Allah heard her pleas and gave her a boy whom she called `Shamwil' meaning `Allah has heard my pleas.' Some people said that the boy's name was Sham`un (Simeon), which also has a similar meaning.
As that boy grew, Allah raised him to be a righteous person. When he reached the age of prophet hood, Allah revealed to him and commanded him to call (his people) to Him and to His Tawhid (Oneness). Shamwil called the Children of Israel (to Allah) and they asked him to appoint a king over them so that they could fight their enemies under his command. The kingship had also ended among them. Their Prophet said to them, "What if Allah appoints a king over you, would you fulfill your vow to fight under his command'' He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in Allāh's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allāh is All-Aware of the Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers). (Al-Baqarah 2:246) So only a few of them kept their promise, but the majority abandoned Jihad and Allah has full knowledge of them.
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them, "Indeed Allāh has appointed Talūt (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are better fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." (Al-Baqarah 2:247) When the Israelites asked their Prophet to appoint a king over them, he appointed Talut (Saul), who was then a soldier. But, Talut was not a descendant of the house of kings among them, which was exclusively in the offspring of Yahudha (Judah). They said that Talut was also poor and did not have the wealth that justifies him being king. Some people stated that Talut used to bring water to the people, while others stated that his profession was dyeing skins. The Jews, thus, disputed with their Prophet while they were supposed to obey him and to say good words to him.
He said: "Verily, Allāh has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allāh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." (Al-Baqarah 2:247)
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: Verily! The sign of His Kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tābūt (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musā (Moses) and Hārūn (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers. (Al-Baqarah 2:248) Ibn `Abbas said, "The angels came down while carrying the Tabut between the sky and the earth, until they placed it before Talut while the people were watching.'' As-Suddi said, "The Tabut was brought to Talut's house, so the people believed in the prophethood of Sham`un (Simeon) and obeyed Talut''
Then when Talūt (Saul) set out with the army (Al-Baqarah 2:249) Allah states that Talut, the king of the Children of Israel, marched forth with his soldiers and the Israelites who obeyed him. His army was of eighty thousand then, according to As-Suddi, but Allah knows best
.. he [Talūt (Saul)] said: "Verily! Allāh will try you [Test you] by a river. So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me, and whoever tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes (thereof) in the hollow of his hand." Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them. (Al-Baqarah 2:249) Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Whoever took some of it (the river's water) in the hollow of his hand, quenched his thirst; as for those who drank freely from it, their thirst was not quenched.''
So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalūt (Goliath) and his hosts (Al-Baqarah 2:249) This Ayah indicates that the Israelites (who remained with Saul) thought that they were few in the face of their enemy who were many then. So, their knowledgeable scholars strengthened their resolve by stating that Allah's promise is true and that triumph comes from Allah Alone, not from the large numbers or the adequacy of the supplies
So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalūt (Goliath) and his hosts." But those who knew with certainty that they were to meet their Lord, said: "How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allāh's Leave?" And Allāh is with As-Sābirin (the patient ones, etc.). (Al-Baqarah 2:249)
Narrated Al-Bara: We, the Companions of Muhammad used to say that the number of the warriors of Badr was the same as the number of Saul's companions who crossed the river (of Jordan) with him, and none crossed the river with him but a believer, and they were over three-hundred-and-ten men. [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 294]
And when they advanced to meet Jalūt (Goliath) and his forces, they invoked: "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience, set our feet firm and make us victorious over the disbelieving people." (Al-Baqarah 2:250) So they didnt ask Allah for extra power, or better weapons, but the asked for patience! Because it was clear that they could have defeated him if they stuck together, but because of fright, people would runaway.
So they routed them by Allāh's Leave (Al-Baqarah 2:251) meaning, they defeated and overwhelmed them by Allah's aid and support.
and Dawūd (David) killed Jalūt (Goliath) (Al-Baqarah 2:251) Israelite accounts claimed that (Prophet) David killed Goliath with a slingshot that he had, which he launched at Goliath causing his death. Talut promised that whoever killed Jalut, would marry his daughter and would share his kingship and authority. He kept his promise. Later, the kingship was transferred to Prophet Dawud in addition to being granted Prophethood by Allah
and Allāh gave him [Dawūd (David)] the kingdom [after the death of Talūt (Saul) and Samuel] and Al*Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed (Al-Baqarah 2:251) meaning, what He willed of the knowledge that He bestowed on (Prophet) Dawud.
And if Allāh did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allāh is full of Bounty to the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinns and all that exists). (Al-Baqarah 2:251) This Ayah indicates that if it were not for the fact that Allah checks one set of people with another, such as when Talut and the bravery of Dawud helped the Children of Israel (against Goliath), then people would have perished.
And It is Only Allah Whogrants success. May Allah Exalt th mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.
Talūt (Saul) and Jalūt (Goliath)
This is a short story in The Quran. It can be found in Surah Baqarah, Verses 246 251. I have used the translation of Dr. Muhsin Khan, and the Tafsir (commentary) of the Quran by Imam Ibn Katheer.
Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musā (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allāh's Way." (Al-Baqarah 2:246)
Mujahid said that the Prophet (mentioned in the Ayah 2:246 above) is Shamwil (Samuel). Wahb bin Munabbih said: The Children of Israel remained on the straight path for a period of time after Moses. They then innovated in the religion and some of them even worshipped the idols. Yet, there were always Prophets sent among them who would command them to work righteous deeds, refrain from doing evil and who would rule them according to the commands of the Torah. When they (Israelites) committed the evil that they committed, Allah caused their enemies to overwhelm them, and many fatalities fell among them as a consequence. Their enemies also captured a great number of them, and took over large areas of their land. Earlier, anyone who would fight the Israelites would lose, because they had the Torah and the Tabut, which they inherited generation after generation ever since the time of Moses, who spoke to Allah directly. Yet, the Israelites kept indulging in misguidance until some king took the Tabut from them during a battle. That king also took possession of the Torah, and only a few of the Israelites who memorized it remained.
The prophethood halted among their various tribes and only a pregnant woman remained of the offspring of Lavi (Levi), in whom the prophet hood still appeared. Her husband had been killed, so the Israelites kept her in a house so that Allah may give her a boy, who would be their Prophet. The woman also kept invoking Allah to grant her a boy. Allah heard her pleas and gave her a boy whom she called `Shamwil' meaning `Allah has heard my pleas.' Some people said that the boy's name was Sham`un (Simeon), which also has a similar meaning.
As that boy grew, Allah raised him to be a righteous person. When he reached the age of prophet hood, Allah revealed to him and commanded him to call (his people) to Him and to His Tawhid (Oneness). Shamwil called the Children of Israel (to Allah) and they asked him to appoint a king over them so that they could fight their enemies under his command. The kingship had also ended among them. Their Prophet said to them, "What if Allah appoints a king over you, would you fulfill your vow to fight under his command'' He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in Allāh's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allāh is All-Aware of the Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers). (Al-Baqarah 2:246) So only a few of them kept their promise, but the majority abandoned Jihad and Allah has full knowledge of them.
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them, "Indeed Allāh has appointed Talūt (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are better fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." (Al-Baqarah 2:247) When the Israelites asked their Prophet to appoint a king over them, he appointed Talut (Saul), who was then a soldier. But, Talut was not a descendant of the house of kings among them, which was exclusively in the offspring of Yahudha (Judah). They said that Talut was also poor and did not have the wealth that justifies him being king. Some people stated that Talut used to bring water to the people, while others stated that his profession was dyeing skins. The Jews, thus, disputed with their Prophet while they were supposed to obey him and to say good words to him.
He said: "Verily, Allāh has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allāh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." (Al-Baqarah 2:247)
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: Verily! The sign of His Kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tābūt (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musā (Moses) and Hārūn (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers. (Al-Baqarah 2:248) Ibn `Abbas said, "The angels came down while carrying the Tabut between the sky and the earth, until they placed it before Talut while the people were watching.'' As-Suddi said, "The Tabut was brought to Talut's house, so the people believed in the prophethood of Sham`un (Simeon) and obeyed Talut''
Then when Talūt (Saul) set out with the army (Al-Baqarah 2:249) Allah states that Talut, the king of the Children of Israel, marched forth with his soldiers and the Israelites who obeyed him. His army was of eighty thousand then, according to As-Suddi, but Allah knows best
.. he [Talūt (Saul)] said: "Verily! Allāh will try you [Test you] by a river. So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me, and whoever tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes (thereof) in the hollow of his hand." Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them. (Al-Baqarah 2:249) Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Whoever took some of it (the river's water) in the hollow of his hand, quenched his thirst; as for those who drank freely from it, their thirst was not quenched.''
So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalūt (Goliath) and his hosts (Al-Baqarah 2:249) This Ayah indicates that the Israelites (who remained with Saul) thought that they were few in the face of their enemy who were many then. So, their knowledgeable scholars strengthened their resolve by stating that Allah's promise is true and that triumph comes from Allah Alone, not from the large numbers or the adequacy of the supplies
So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalūt (Goliath) and his hosts." But those who knew with certainty that they were to meet their Lord, said: "How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allāh's Leave?" And Allāh is with As-Sābirin (the patient ones, etc.). (Al-Baqarah 2:249)
Narrated Al-Bara: We, the Companions of Muhammad used to say that the number of the warriors of Badr was the same as the number of Saul's companions who crossed the river (of Jordan) with him, and none crossed the river with him but a believer, and they were over three-hundred-and-ten men. [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 294]
And when they advanced to meet Jalūt (Goliath) and his forces, they invoked: "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience, set our feet firm and make us victorious over the disbelieving people." (Al-Baqarah 2:250) So they didnt ask Allah for extra power, or better weapons, but the asked for patience! Because it was clear that they could have defeated him if they stuck together, but because of fright, people would runaway.
So they routed them by Allāh's Leave (Al-Baqarah 2:251) meaning, they defeated and overwhelmed them by Allah's aid and support.
and Dawūd (David) killed Jalūt (Goliath) (Al-Baqarah 2:251) Israelite accounts claimed that (Prophet) David killed Goliath with a slingshot that he had, which he launched at Goliath causing his death. Talut promised that whoever killed Jalut, would marry his daughter and would share his kingship and authority. He kept his promise. Later, the kingship was transferred to Prophet Dawud in addition to being granted Prophethood by Allah
and Allāh gave him [Dawūd (David)] the kingdom [after the death of Talūt (Saul) and Samuel] and Al*Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed (Al-Baqarah 2:251) meaning, what He willed of the knowledge that He bestowed on (Prophet) Dawud.
And if Allāh did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allāh is full of Bounty to the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinns and all that exists). (Al-Baqarah 2:251) This Ayah indicates that if it were not for the fact that Allah checks one set of people with another, such as when Talut and the bravery of Dawud helped the Children of Israel (against Goliath), then people would have perished.
And It is Only Allah Whogrants success. May Allah Exalt th mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.