Prophets Yūshaʿ and Dāwūd: Ṭālūt’s River and the Making of a King
Section 6 of 28 · Lives of the Prophets
Appoint for Us a King
Time passed — a few generations, maybe a few centuries — and then the enemies were regrouping and attacking again, and there was a continuous jihad with Banū Isrāʾīl. Under the leadership of one of their anbiyāʾ, Banū Isrāʾīl came to their nabī and told him: send us a king, so that we can fight under his leadership. Allah (swt) says:
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لِنَبِىٍّ لَّهُمُ ٱبْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ أَلَّا تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نُقَـٰتِلَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ أُخْرِجْنَا مِن دِيَـٰرِنَا وَأَبْنَآئِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوْا۟ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“Did you not see a group from the children of Isrā’īl (Israel), after (the time of) Mūsā when they said to their prophet: “Appoint for us a king, so that we may fight in the way of Allah.”He said: “Is it (not) likely, if fighting is enjoined upon you, that you would not fight.” They said: “What is wrong with us that we would not fight while we have been driven away from our homes and our sons?” But, when fighting was enjoined upon them, they turned away, except a few of them, and Allah is Aware of the unjust.” (2:246)
Have you not thought about the group of the children of Israel after the time of Mūsā, when they said to a prophet of theirs: appoint for us a king, and we will fight in Allah's way? They came to their nabī and told him: we want to fight for the sake of Allah.
Their nabī was very wise. He said: would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting were prescribed for you? He said: you are asking for fighting — but when fighting is prescribed for you, will you fight? Because it is easy to claim that you are willing to fight. People talk, but rarely do we find anybody walking the talk. People say that they are willing to fight for the sake of Allah (swt), and they give out these sermons, and everybody is motivated and encouraged — but then, when it comes to the real situation, people back out.
And the nabī of Allah (swt) told them: now you are asking for fighting; what if it is prescribed for you? Will you then fight? They said: definitely. Wa mā lanā allā nuqātila fī sabīli Allāhi wa qad ukhrijnā min diyārinā wa abnāʾinā — why should we not fight in the way of Allah, when we have been driven out of our homes and our children? They have kicked us out of our land; how could we not fight? And we will fight for the sake of Allah (swt). And they gave their promises and said: we will fight for the sake of Allah (swt); do not worry, we will fight.
Allah (swt) says: fa-lammā kutiba ʿalayhimu al-qitālu tawallaw illā qalīlan minhum — but when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them.