Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُدُ جَالُوتَ...

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

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.

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

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

C287. 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. (R).

... 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,

... وَلَـكِنَّ اللّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢٥١﴾

but Allah is full of bounty to all the worlds.

C288. Allah's plan is universal. He loves and protects all His creatures and His bounties are for all worlds (1:2, n. 20).

To protect one He may have to check another, but we must never lose faith that His love is for all in boundless measure.

Asad’s Version:

2: 251…..And if God had not enabled people to defend themselves against one another [note 243], corruption would surely overwhelm the earth: but God is limitless in His bounty unto all the worlds.

Yusuf Ali By Allah's will they routed them: and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him power and wisdom and taught him whatever (else) He willed. And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another the earth would indeed be full of mischief but Allah is full of bounty to 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.

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).

[ 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. ]