Al-Baqarah · Madani · ayah 247 of 286

Al-Baqarah 2:247

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةً فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allāh has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allāh has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."”

Saheeh International

Essence

Allah chose Ṭālūt, a man without pedigree or wealth, for knowledge and strength; the notables protested their entitlement, but kingship is His to give.

A reflection

'We are more entitled'

In a village council, three old families have provided the chairman for as long as anyone remembers. When a young man from a poor household is chosen instead, an elder asks loudly: and who is his father?

The notables of this story asked exactly that. How can he have kingship over us, they said, when we are more entitled to it? He has not even been given abundant wealth. Their objection had two legs: lineage and money.

The answer ends with a sentence of majesty. 'Allah gives His kingship to whom He wills, and Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing'. Note the word mulkahū, His kingship. It was never theirs to inherit. A classical commentator explains: He is the Judge who does what He wills and is not questioned. That is because of His knowledge, wisdom and compassion for His creation. He is vast in bounty and knows who is fit for kingship and who is not.

This cuts to the root of the ego's favourite word: entitled. We feel entitled to positions because of family, money, seniority or a long wait. The ayah reminds us that every authority is lent by its true Owner.

The root of mulk pictures having a thing in your grip, to own it and rule it. Only One grip never loosens.

Does Allah need us to admit that the kingdom is His? He is free of all need (35:15). We need it, because the person who knows every position is lent holds it more lightly, and more justly.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.