[[ Ruby’s notes on verse 2:251 and 22:40 -

These verses contain far reaching solutions for a society. The Quran proclaims that if God does not replace formidable powers that become utterly corrupt and arrogant or not check people that become extremely mischievous and destructive by others the world would become completely dysfunctional.

There are inherent human propensities to become increasingly manipulative, corrupt and abusive if a group stays in power for a long time without being checked by others. These propensities led many empires and regimes rot to the core before the downfalls. The Quran exposes the causes of defeat and downfall of such formidable powers in the past that were oppressive and unjust. These powers often were replaced by the ones that were better -- fighting for the cause -- but previously weak and underdogs of the society.

The Quran alludes that two major ways the needed checks are provided. The first one enables a weaker party bring about a dramatic shift by defeating and displacing the formidable party in power. The verse [2:251] in the context of David and Goliath expounds that even a weak but righteous party like David could kill a giant evil like Goliath and bring about a just rule. Human history is full of occasions when formidable powers were replaced by underdogs. Without this process of good replacing evil human race would have perished long ago.

2. The other method is more insidious but no less profound in its capacity to fight injustice. It is provided by empowering the opposing forces that controls evil forces in a society that are destructive. If these counter forces are not empowered then the level of bigotry, prejudices, hatred, and arrogance could go to the level that could destroy even places of worship [22:40].

The Quran indicates that both of these measures are provided to restore functionality of societies.

History is a testament to the fact that when empires are at the zenith of power they start to decay and decline, when a ruler or a group become too powerful, it tends to become corrupt and abusive that often arouse people and insurgencies and revolutions ensue. History is full of these ups and downs of powers, one group replacing the other.

People are God’s representatives on earth. Therefore, believers should dispose affairs the way God does: deliberately creating proper checks and balances in all aspects of society especially in governance in order to establish accountability, a feature that is an effective roadblocks for corruption and abuse of power. These two verse imply that too much power in the hands of a few is a breeding ground for corruption and abuse of power. There must be the presence and empowerment of others who would pose as a counter force to help create the proper checks and balance in the governance of a society.

Believers should follow this policy of checking one group with another in socio-political affairs which concurs with the modern concept of ‘checks and balances’

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Sura 2, al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic text & Ali’s version

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُواْ...

2:250. When they advanced to meet Goliath and his forces, they prayed:

... رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٢٥٠﴾

"Our Lord! pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm; help us against those that reject faith."

Transliteration Wa lamma_ barazu_ li ja_lu_ta wa junu_dihi qa_lu_ rabbana_ afrig 'alaina_ sabraw wa sabbit aqda_mana_ wansurna_ 'alal qaumil ka_firin(a).

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُدُ جَالُوتَ...

2:251. By Allah's will they routed them: and David slew Goliath;

... وَآتَاهُ اللّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاء...

and Allah gave him power and wisdom and taught him whatever (else) He willed.

... وَلَوْلاَ دَفْعُ اللّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الأَرْضُ...

And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief,

Transliteration Fa hazamu_hum bi iznilla_h(i), wa qatala da_wu_du jalu_ta wa a_ta_hulla_hul mulka wal hikmata wa 'allamahu_ mimma_ yasya_'(u), wa lau la_ daf'ulla_hin na_sa ba'dahum bi ba'dil lafasatil ardu wala_kinnalla_ha zu_ fadlin'alal 'a_lamin(a).

Other versions

2: 250

Asad And when they came face to face with Goliath and his forces, they prayed: “O our Sustainer! Shower us with patience in adversity, and make firm our steps, and succor us against the people who deny the truth!”

Pickthall And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk.

2: 251

Asad’s version

2:251 And thereupon, by God's leave, they routed them. And David slew Goliath; and God bestowed upon him dominion, and wisdom, and imparted to him the knowledge of whatever He willed. And if God had not enabled people to defend themselves against one another, 242 corruption would surely overwhelm the earth: but God is limitless in His bounty unto all the worlds.

Pickthall So they routed them by Allah's leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures.

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[ Asad’s note 242 – Lit., “were it not that God repels some people by means of others”: an elliptic reference to God’s enabling people to defend themselves against aggression or oppression. Exactly the same phrase occurs in 22: 40, which deals with fighting in self-defence. ]

[ Ali’s notes - 286 Note how the whole story is compressed into a few words as regards narration, but its spiritual lessons are dwelt upon from many points of view. The Old Testament is mainly interested in the narrative, which is full of detail, but says little about the universal truths of which every true story is a parable. The Quran assumes the story, but tells the parable. (2.251)

287 David was not only a shepherd, a warrior, a king, a wise man, and a prophet, but was also endowed with the gifts of poetry and music. His Psalms (sabur) are still extant. (2.251)

288 Carried by angels: these words refer to the Tabut or Ark, the cherubims with outstretched wings on the lid may well be supposed to carry the security or peace which the Ark symbolized. (2.251) ]

C286. Note how the whole story is compressed into a few words as regards narration, but its spiritual lessons are dwelt upon from many points of view.

The Old Testament is mainly interested in the narrative, which is full of detail, but says little about the universal truths of which every true story is a parable.

The Quran assumes the story, but tells the parable.

David was a raw youth, with no arms or armour. He was not known even in the Israelite camp, and the giant Goliath mocked him.

Even David’s own elder brother chide him for deserting the sheep, for he was a poor shepherded lad to outward appearance, but his faith had made him more than a match for the Philistine hosts. When Saul offered his own armour and arms to David, the young hero declined, as he had not tried them, while his shepherd's sling and staff were his well-tried implements. He picked up five smooth pebbles on the spot from the stream, and used his sling to such effect that he knocked down Goliath. He then used Goliath’s own sword to slay him. There was consternation in the Philistine army: they broke and fled, and were pursued and cut to pieces.

Apart from the main lesson that if we would preserve our national existence and our faith it is our duty to fight with courage and firmness, there are other lessons in David’ story:

1. Numbers do not count, but faith, determination and the blessing of Allah;

2. size and strength are of no avail against truth, courage, and careful planning;

3. the hero tries his own weapons, and rhose that are available to him at the time and place, even though people may laugh at him;

4. if Allah is with us, the enemy’s weapon may become an instrument of his own destruction;

5. personality conquers all dangers, and puts heart into our own wavering friends;

6. pure faith brings Allah's reward, which may take many forms; in David’s case it was Power, Wisdom, and other gifts; see next note.

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