Transliteration:( Falammaa fasala Taalootu biljunoodi qaala innal laaha mubtaleekum binaharin faman shariba minhu falaisa minnee wa mallam yat'amhu fa innahoo minneee illaa manigh tarafa ghurfatam biyadih; fashariboo minhu illaa qaleelamminhum; falammaa jaawazahoo huwa wallazeena aamanoo ma'ahoo qaaloo laa taaqata lanal yawma bi Jaaloota wa junoodih; qaalallazeena yazunnoona annahum mulaaqul laahi kam min fi'atin qaleelatin ghalabat fi'atan kaseeratam bi iznil laah; wallaahuma'as saabireen )
249. Then when Talut left the city with his army, he said: "Surely, Allah will test you [624] with a stream. Whoso drinks water from it is not of me [625], and whoso does not drink of it is mine [626], except he who takes a sip with his hand [627]. Yet, all drank of it except a few of them [628]. When he (Talut) and the believers with him [629] crossed the stream, they said: "We have no power [630] against Jalut (Goliath) and his armies." Those who were sure to meet [631] Allah said: "That often a small party has triumphed over a large party by Allah's Command [632]. And, verily, Allah is with the steadfast (patient) [633]."
As Talut led the Israelites to face Jalut (Goliath), they traveled under scorching heat and through wilderness, suffering thirst.
🔹 Allah informed them, through revelation to Hazrat Shumail, that they would soon be tested by a river and warned them not to drink, as a test of obedience and patience.
Talut declared: “Whoever drinks from it is not of me.”
🔹 This did not mean that they became non-believers, but that they were unfit for the spiritual and physical demands of battle.
🔹 Excess indulgence, even when justified by need, can lead to hypocrisy and inner weakness.
Those who resisted the temptation to drink or drank only a small sip were considered true companions in jihad.
🔹 This illustrates that preparation, discipline, and testing are part of the prophetic path—also reflected in modern military training.
Those who only sipped water with their hand were excused, showing Allah's mercy in allowing some relief under hardship, but not indulgence.
🔹 It separated the disciplined and sincere from the weak-hearted.
Only a few remained obedient—313 out of thousands.
🔹 This is the same number as the companions in the Battle of Badr, affirming that quality and sincerity matter more than quantity.
🔹 Allah said: “And few of My servants are thankful” (S34:13).
When Talut and the believers crossed the stream, they left behind the disobedient.
🔹 This again confirms that obedience to prophetic instruction is a defining trait of true belief.
Some among the obedient still expressed fear upon seeing Jalut’s army.
🔹 This illustrates that disobedience weakens resolve, while true bravery stems from faith and obedience to the Prophet.
Those who remained steadfast had yaqeen (certainty) in their accountability to Allah.
🔹 Though the word “Zann” often implies doubt, here it implies certainty, as seen in Surah An-Nur (24:12).
The righteous declared: “Many times a small group defeats a larger one by Allah’s command.”
🔹 Victory doesn’t depend on military strength or numbers, but on divine support.
🔹 Still, preparation is part of reliance on Allah, as seen in “Prepare for them what force you can…” (S8:60).
Patience is the key to divine support.
🔹 Those who remain firm during tests and adversity receive Allah’s help, mercy, and victory.
🔹 Without patience, one is left with divine wrath, regardless of knowledge or position.
248. And their Prophet said to them: “Verily! The sign of His kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tabut, wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers.
Their Prophet then proclaimed, “The sign of the blessings of Talut’s kingship over you is that Allah will give you back the Tabut (wooden box) that has been taken from you.” Allah said:
(wherein is Sakinah from your Lord) meaning, peace (or grace) and reassurance. `Abdur-Razzaq stated that Qatadah said:
(wherein is Sakinah) means grace. In addition, Ar-Rabi` said that Sakinah means mercy. This is also the meaning given by Ibn `Abbas, as Al-`Awfi narrated.
Allah then said:
(…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ibn Jarir related that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah:
(…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, ) Meaning, Moses’ staff and the remnants of the Tablets. This is the same Tafsir of Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and `Ikrimah, who added, “And also the Torah.” `Abdur-Razzaq said that he asked Ath-Thawri about the meaning of,
(…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ath-Thawri said, “Some said that it contained a pot of manna and the remnants of the Tablets, while some others said that it contained (Moses’) staff and two shoes (and refer to 20:12).”
Allah then said:
(…carried by the angels.)
Ibn Jurayj stated that 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”
The Prophet then said:
(Verily, in this is a sign for you) testifying to my truth in what I was sent with, my prophethood, and my command to you to obey Talut,
(if you are indeed believers. ) in Allah and the Hereafter.’
‘
(2:249) When Saul (Talut) set out with his forces he said: “Allah will try you with a river, and whoever drinks of it does not belong to me; he who refrains from tasting it – unless it be just a palmful – he indeed belongs to me.” Then all, except a few of them, drank their fill at the river.[271]
But as soon as Saul (Talut) and the believers with him went forth across the river, they said: “Today we have no strength to face Goliath (Jalut) and his forces.”[272] But those who believed that they were bound to meet their Lord said: “How often has a small party prevailed against a large party by the leave of Allah.” Allah is with those who remain steadfast.
271. This may refer either to the river Jordan or to some other river or stream in that region. Saul wanted to take the Israelite army across the river. He was aware, however, that there was little moral discipline and restraint left in them. Hence he hit upon this device to distinguish the worthy from the worthyless. Those who could not endure thirst even for a short while, would not be expected to remain steadfast in their confrontation with an enemy at whose hands they had already taken a beating.
272. These were presumable the people who had shown their impatience on the bank of the river. (See the preceding note – Ed.)
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics