Ark and prophet David

[Adila Belhakim]

Assalam alaiekum. 


"And their Prophet said unto them: Indeed, the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Rab, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, the angels bearing it. Indeed, herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) you are believers."   2:248.  Qur'an Al-Kareem.


Can you kindly give me some light on verse 2:248 for my better understanding?  Please give an idea if this event involves Prophet David and where.  Is there a concept in the Qur'an of the coming of Noah’s ark?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum As-Salam.   The location is present-day Palestine.  It was during the time of one of the Jewish prophets who came after Prophets Musa and Haroon (peace on them both) and shortly before Prophet David although it was during his lifetime.  The Noble Quran is quoting the words of a prophet of the time but does not mention his name.  Also, during this period the king of this land was a man named Saul.  From what we can figure out from another Verse of the same Surah Al-Baqrah V.2:251 …. Prophet David at this time was a young man probably in the army of Saul.  The fight between David and Golaith, who was of the disbelievers, was on this occasion in which David defeated by Golaith.

There is certainly NO concept of “coming of Noah’s ark” in the Noble Quran.  I will explain what 'ark' means here in the following paragraph, Insh’Allah.

In V.2:248 the references to the event are very brief and general so we are not in a position to give many details.  Muslim exegetists try explain this Verse with unconfirmed details borrowed from the altered bibles.  According to the bibles this ‘ark’ - which literally means a basket or box and that’s the allusion here, the Arabic word in the Quran at-tabutu - contained the tablet (or fragments of the tablet) referring to the 10 Commandments which Prophet Musa received in Mount Sinai.  But only Allah knows best if that is the precise reference here.  The Noble Quran does confirm that the box (or ark) was carried by the angels.   The people of that time and of that land were asking the unnamed prophet about a sign or proof of Saul's kingdom and Verse 2:248 is the answer to it.  The altered bibles also say that the “ark” was later taken away by the disbelieving people of Philistine during a battle and it remained with them for some months.   But again, this is unconfirmed information and only Allah knows best.

[Adila Belhakim]

Thanks sister.  I appreciate the clarity here.  Helpful read.

[Faraz]

When the angels carry the 10 Commandments in the ark or box, was it to be visible by the people?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

When the angels carry the 10 Commandments in the ark or box, was it to be visible by the people?

In my opinion, no.  It was not to be visible to the people as a portent happening before their eyes.  Allah Almighty is mentioning what is visible to Him because He is the All-Seeing.  This was to be a portent for the people in the ethical or moral sense, referring to the revival of the teachings and the values of the 10 Commandments in the society with the help of righteous leaders of that time.  This is my personal opinion as I understand it.  The precise reality is known to Allah only.

[Faraz]

Thank u sister for this very articulately concise explanation.  I also had similar view in mind and wanted a second opinion.

[imran naeem]

Does God mention in the Quran of anything tangible visible to God in this world but not visible to humans?

[N. Truth Seeker]

Yes certainly the Noble Quran does clarify that point.  In Surah Al-Qamar Verses 54:11-14 referring to the deluge in Prophet Noah’s time, quote as follows:

“Then opened We the gates of heaven with pouring water
And caused the earth to gush forth springs, so that the waters met for a predestined purpose.
And We carried him upon a thing of planks and nails,
That ran (upon the waters) in Our sight, as a reward for him who was rejected."  (54:11-14).  Al-Qamar.

The above Verses describe the massive flood.  As we know in  flooded conditions it’s very difficult to wade through from place to place.  Thus, The Almighty facilitated this problem for Prophet Noah by placing a plank or a lumber bridge leading up to the ship that was to carry him, upon which he could walk and avoid the flood waters.  As Allah confirms, this plank was only visible to Him.  Whether or not it was visible to Prophet Noah is only known to Allah Almighty, and if it was visible to Prophet Noah, it would only be according to the decree of Allah Almighty.


As far as what humans may refer to as intangible matters, there are many things visible to The Almighty only, not to us.  To Allah Almighty everything inside and outside the earth is clearly visible, He created everything and He is All-Powerful.  As per the Decree of Allah, some of these intangible things might be visible to humans after they have passed or while they are passing. 

For example, take a look at Surah Al-Waqiah:

“Why, then, when (the soul) comes up to the throat (of the dying)
And you are at that moment looking
And We are nearer unto him than you are, but you see not –“   56:83-85  Al-Waqiah.

These are incredibly beautiful Verses conveying a very significant fact.  I would advise please read this entire Chapter or Surah.  I have quoted only 3 Verses to explain your query.  It describes a time when a person is at the threshold of death and this is the time when the angel of death is very near to take the soul.  Allah confirms that all of this is not visible to those relatives, friends, doctors etc. present on the scene at the time.  But everything is visible to Allah.   I am also sure that as per the Decree of Allah Almighty, the soul of the dying person whose physical body lies in an unconscious or semi-conscious state at this time can see and experience those last few moments in their earthly life before departing for the Final Journey which too their souls can see and experience.  But this is of the unseen for the others still alive.


Also take the example of what’s mentioned in Surah Ad-Dhatiyat V.51:7 as follows:

“By the heaven full of pathways,”  51:7  Ad-Dhariyat.

This point is completely confirmed at present by science and astronomy, that those many celestial bodies in the universe have their own orbits and abstract paths for movements.  But the real panoramic visibility of those specific paths in an imagery form is only with Allah Almighty, not with us, not even with the best scientists.

[imran naeem]

very interesting.  Thankn u, really.