Thread about the story of Prophet Shamwil (a), King Talut and the people of Bani Israil.

The condition of the Israilites had already deteriorated. They had committed many sins and killed whom they wished of the Prophets. They used to go to war, taking with them the Taboot-E-Sakina. They did this so that they would win wars because of its blessings.

One day, they went to war with the people of Gaza and Asqalan, but they were defeated because the Taboot was captured from them. When the king of the Israilites heard of this he died instantly from shock.

Bani Israil would remain like sheep without a shepherd until Allah sent them Prophet Shamwil (a). They asked Him to appoint a king over them to lead in a war against their enemies.

Bani Israil believed the Taboot to be very holy and an important icon of history. They held it even in battle and believed that, because of it, Allah would protect them from their enemies. This belief brought them comfort and great courage, and their enemies were terrified by it.

Gradually the Israilites started to ignore Allah's law; evil habits became part of their lives. Allah sent upon them the Philistines, who defeated the Israilites, captured their Taboot, and took away their children to use or sell as slaves.

Prophet Shamwil (a), knowing their weakness, told them: "I fear that when the time comes to fight you may refuse." But they assured him that they had already suffered enough, and were now ready to fight in Allah's name, even if they lost their lives.

Prophet Samuel prayed to Allah for guidance. Allah then revealed to him that He had chosen one to be their king. The prophet wanted to know how to recognize the future king.

He was told that this new ruler would approach him by himself and that they should then hand over the control of their kingdom to him, for he would lead them in their battle against the Philistines.

One day, a farmer named Talut had lost several of his donkeys. He and his servant set out to find the donkeys. Talut said to his servant: "Let us rather go back, for I am sure that my father will be worried by now, and the other animals must also be cared for."

His servant suggested that as they were already in the land of Shamwil (a), they should go to him to inquire about the lost donkeys. Talut agreed, and they carried on. Talut and his servant then asked for directions, until they saw the Prophet Shamwil himself.

When Talut looked up, he instantly recognized him as a prophet by his holy men. Shamwil also recognized Talut as the chosen king. Talut greeted the prophet respectfully. When he asked about his missing donkeys, Shamwil told him not to worry, his donkeys were already returning.

Shamwil (a) told Talut that Allah had chosen him as the king of the children of Israel. His duty would be to take charge of their affairs, to unite them under Islam, and to protect them from their enemies. If he carried out Allah's commands, he would be given victory.

Talut was surprised by this sudden honour offered to him. It was also a heavy responsibility. He protested that he was of the descendants of Binyameen, the least famous of the tribes of Yaqub (a); he did not know anything of leadership or kingship and was poor.

Shamwil (a) then told him that it was the Will of Allah that he should be the king, that he should thank Allah for His favour and be strong in faith. He then took Talut by the hand led him to the children of Israil, but they insisted on a direct sign from Allah.

Prophet Samuel told them to go outside the city to see the sign, which they did. Almighty Allah revealed: "Have you not thought about the group of children of Israil after (the time of) Musa? When they said to a Prophet of theirs: "Appoint for us a king and we will fight...

...in Allah's way." He said: "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said: "Why should we not fight in Allah'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 Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimīn. And their Prophet (Shamwil) said to them: "Indeed Allah has appointed Talut 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." He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His...

...creatures' needs, All-Knower." And their Prophet (Shamwil) 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 and Harun left behind, carried by...

...the Angels. Verily, in this is a sigh for you if you are indeed believers." Then when Talut set out with the army, he said: "Verily! Allah will try 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." Talut organized his army with strong faith and wisdom. He ordered that only men free from responsbility should join. Those responsible for building homes, men who were about to be married and those occupied with business should not join.

After foriming a very well-trained army, he decided to put them to the test. He told them that along the route they would pass this river where they should drink enough water to quench their thirst but not more than that.

He discharged them for their disobedience and kept only the few who had obeyed his orders, as they were the ones who proved their sincerity. This resulted in a split in the army, but he was not bothered at all.

Talut's men then spotted the enemy forces on the other side of the river. Their opponents appeared to be very strong and were armed with better, more formidable weapons. They were led by Jalut, known for his huge build and brute strength.

A great number of Talut's men fleed the battle on seeing this strong force. The small band that remained was willing to fight, whatever the outcome, as they had heard that there had been many happenings in the past in which Allah had caused a small force to defeat a larger one.

"But those who knew with certainty that they were to meet their Lord, said: "How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allah's Leave?" And Allah is with the patient. And when they advanced to meet Goliath and his forces, they...

...invoked. "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the disbelieving people."