فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّى وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّىٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةًۢ بِيَدِهِۦ ۚ فَشَرِبُوا۟ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ قَالُوا۟ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةًۢ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ 249
Translations
And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allāh will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allāh said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the patient."
Transliteration
Falamma fasala Taluthu bil-junudi qala inna Allaha mubtaliykum bi-naharin faman shariba minhu falaysa minni wa-man lam yatʿamhu fa-innahuwu minni illa mani-ghtarafa ghurfatan bi-yadihi fa-sharibus minhu illa qalilan minhum fa-lamma jawaazahu huwa wa-alladhina amanu maʿahu qalu la taaqata lana al-yawma bi-Jaluti wa-junudihi qala alladhina yazunnun annahum mullaqul-Llahi kay min fiatin qalilatin ghalabat fiatan kathiratan bi-idhni-Llahi wa-Allahummaʿa as-sabirn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Talut's (Saul's) trial of his army at a river before battle with Jalut (Goliath), testing their obedience and restraint. Those who drank excessively were excluded from his ranks, while only those who took a handful or abstained remained—a test of faith and discipline that winnowed down his forces to those of steadfast belief. The believers among the remaining soldiers reassured their discouraged companions that victory comes through divine aid, not numerical superiority, encouraging reliance upon Allah and patience.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Al-Baqarah (verses 246-251) recounting the historical account of Talut (Saul) and Jalut (Goliath) from the Children of Israel. The context illustrates how Allah tests His servants and demonstrates that faith and obedience matter more than material means, particularly relevant to the Muslim community's early struggles in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Qur'anic account itself is corroborated in Islamic tradition; scholars like Ibn Kathir note the parallel in 1 Samuel 7 of the Hebrew scriptures. A thematically related hadith is found in Sahih Bukhari regarding the Battle of Badr: 'How many a small group has overcome a large group by permission of Allah' (3:123), reflecting the same principle of divine aid to the faithful.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true strength comes from faith, discipline, and reliance on Allah rather than from numbers or worldly resources; a small group of sincere believers can triumph over a much larger force through divine support and unwavering commitment to God's cause. For modern readers, it emphasizes that spiritual preparation, obedience to divine guidance, and patience in adversity are the true measures of success.