Qur'anic Minarets - Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him) (Talut)

Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him) (Talut)

Tags: Hazrat Saul, Malik, Dharr, `Alam-i dharr, World of particles, Binyamin

(Important suggestion: The story of Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him) is in one place in the Qur'an, therefore study the translation of verses (2:246-252 ) carefully.)

His rank? He was an Imam, for which there are several bright proofs in the wise Qur'an. Study his story in the Qur'an carefully so that you may be aware of those Qur'anic treasures which are full of precious pearls of the secrets of Imamat, of which every pearl is a unique pearl in the sense that it is the capital of both the worlds.
The Chiefs of the Children of Isra'il: After Hazrat-i Musa (May peace be through him), the Chiefs of the Children of Isra'il requested their Prophet Shamu'il (May peace be through him) (Samuel) to appoint a king (i.e., Imam) so that they could do jihad (externally and internally) in the path of God (2:246). It is obvious that these chiefs were not worldly ones, rather they were religious chiefs. Therefore, it is established that they were hudud-i din and hence their request was for a King of religion, because it is only the Imam who can be the fountainhead of spirituality and knowledge and wisdom and without him, the inner jihad is not possible at all.
Malik (King, i.e., the Imam): In reality, the wise Qur'an has never used 'king' for a secular and worldly king. It is an extremely important point to note that [in the Qur'an] the word malik [i.e., king] is used only for the exalted Imam. [Now] if in the example of this world a worldly king according to the extent of his capacity is plenipotentiary and legislator, why should not the Imam be called 'king' as he is the possessor of the Divine command and plenipotentiary on behalf of God. In fact, a very great spiritual wisdom is hidden in the Imam's being the spiritual king.
The Secret of Inmbi`ath: The word 'ba`atha' is mentioned in the Qur'anic story of Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him) (Talut), which literally means he sent, revived, raised, quickened the dead. The secret of ibda` and inmbi`ath is hidden in it. Thus, it shows that Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him) was not easily conferred the rank of Imamat rather he underwent all the stern trials of spiritual stages and then was granted this office.
Imam is on behalf of God: "And their Prophet told them: Verily God has chosen Saul to be a king for you (ba`atha, i.e., He sent him after his undergoing ibda` and inmbi`ath) …. God has chosen him over you [even if not necessarily in wealth] in [spiritual] knowledge and [astral] body which He has increased. And God grants His kingdom to whoever He pleases (2:247)."
Expanded Knowledge and Body: Many people are convinced of the holy Imam's status of knowledge, but it is not possible for everybody to know about his miraculous body. Thus, the part of the verse where it is said: "And He expanded him in knowledge and body" (2:247) is extremely amazing and wondrous. Usually, body is mentioned first and then knowledge, but here since 'body' does not mean the elemental body (i.e., the dense body), but rather the expanded body (i.e., the subtle body), which is attainable only after attaining a special amount of knowledge and recognition. Therefore, in the order of words 'knowledge' comes first then the body, so that wise people may be able to understand this coded sign (ramz).
The World of Particles or the Atomic Body: The primary meanings of the word 'dharr' are atoms, tiny ants, motes, particles floating in the air; 'dharrat' (sing. dharrah) means progeny, offspring, children, etc. The term `alam-i dharr (the world of particles) is coined from this root, which means such a subtle world whose things are in the form of extremely subtle particles. Each and every thing of the external world is represented in the world of particles and the same is the atomic body of the manifest Imam. Just as each human being's body consists of countless cells and in every cell a universe is asleep, similarly in the atomic body of the Perfect Man [i.e., the manifest Imam] the universe in every cell is awake and aware in a real sense due to personal resurrection and the sur of Israfil (May peace be through him). Therefore, it together with the ocean of given knowledge (`ilm-i ladunni) has expanded and encompassed [everything].
Manifestations of the Subtle Body: It is mentioned in Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him)'s story that the excellence and selection of the True Imam is due to two things: spiritual knowledge and the subtle body. Had these two things been open and general before all, the trials of ma`rifat and all the levels of success [in it] would cease completely. However, this was not acceptable to God, the Knowing, the Wise, therefore these two all-reaching and all-encompassing miracles are conditional on love and obedience. This universal reality was known to the people of ma`rifat that everything from one aspect is confined in the blessed personality of the manifest Imam and coloured in the colour of the light of Imamat and fragrant with its perfume of love and recognition (36:12). Therefore, a secret of the recognition of the Imam is hidden in everything and nothing is outside this law of recognition (ma`rifat). Thus, there are allusions to the miraculous manifestations of the manifest Imam in the subtle body of jinns, in the example of Flying Saucers and in the analogy (19:17) of the Holy Spirit. (Subhana'llah!) Hallowed is God! The True Imam (May peace be through him)'s glory!
The Holy Prophet's Two Miracles: The Divine Law (sunnat) has certainly continued from eternity that fundamental miracles of the Imam (May peace be through him) of the time have to be two, like Adam and Eve, so that gradually they will give birth to countless miracles. Thus, the holy Prophet left behind him two permanent and intellectual miracles: The Book of Allah (i.e., the Qur'an) and his `Itrat (Imam), in whom are the same heavenly knowledge and the pure personality, in the background of which is the subtle body as mentioned in Hazrat-i Saul (May peace be through him)'s (Talut's) story.
The Sign of Imam's Spiritual Kingdom: And their Prophet said to them: Verily, the sign of his (being) king (on behalf of God), i.e., the Imam, is that the ark (chest) shall come to you wherein there is peace from your Lord, and there are the relics of what the family of Musa and family of Harun left behind, and it is borne by the angels … (2:248). Numerous kinds of examples are used for spirituality [the Imam]. One of them is a locked chest which is full of extremely precious relics. Thus, the Imam and sovereign of the spiritual kingdom can be the one to whose hujjats and da`is comes the satisfaction from the chest of peace, particularly the miracles of knowledge of the True Imam (May peace be through him). The fact that it is borne by the angels means that this chest is not material, rather it is spiritual, in which are preserved all the miracles of Prophethood and Imamat by way of the renewal of similitudes. (The relics of what the family of Musa (May peace be through him) and the family of Harun (May peace be through him) left behind, 2:248).
Asasu't-ta'wil: Qazi Nu`man in his Asasu't-ta'wil says: "And in the cycle of Musa the Imamat reached Talut." (p. 247) "And Talut was the Imam of the time." (p. 248)
Sara'ir wa Asraru'n-nutaqa': On p. 182 of this book, it is mentioned that Talut (May peace be through him) was from the progeny of Binyamin, who was the son of Hazrat-i Ya`qub (May peace be through him) and hujjat of his brother Yusuf (May peace be through him). When Hazrat-i Harun (May peace be through him) passed away during the lifetime of Hazrat-i Musa (May peace be through him), Hazrat-i Yusha` (May peace be through him), the son of Nun was made the guardian of his younger son, i.e., the Imam (Ibid, 171). That is, God revealed to Hazrat-i Harun (May peace be through him) to appoint Yusha` guardian of his younger son. This event is also among the secrets of Imamat.
Da`a'imu'l-Islam: Hazrat-i Imam Muhammad Baqir (May peace be through him) says: It is we whom God has granted the exalted rank of Imamat therefore people envy us. After this God says: "Indeed We gave Ibrahim's children the Book and wisdom and We gave them also a great kingdom." (4:54). That is, We made Prophets, Messengers and Imams from Ibrahim's children. In short, the great kingdom means the rank of Imamat and wherever in the Qur'an the word 'malik' (king) is mentioned, it is used for the exalted Imam and not for any secular ruler.
The Word 'Muluk' in the story of Bilqis: "She (Bilqis) said: Verily when kings (muluk) enter a town (as conquerors) they ruin it and make the noblest of its people its meanest." (27:34) Its ta'wili wisdom is that Imams who are the spiritual kings conquer the exalted personal worlds of their respective times and they are ruined as in the example of war and new construction, and wayward and disobedient ones are demeaned and vehement powers are weakened.
Hierarchs of Religion or Successful Mu'mins: God has made the Imam (May peace be through him) of every time the king so that people by obeying him will become kings, as said in verse (5:20): "And He made you kings." The example of this is that the personal world is a huge country and kingdom, which has been captured by an infidel army. You can call this infidel shaytan, devil or carnal soul. In any case, this kingdom is controlled by the enemy and therefore jihad is inevitable, which is not possible without the Imam (May peace be through him) of the time, because it is not child's play at all. Thus, the hierarchs of religion or successful mu'mins, with the ta'yid of the Imam (May peace be through him) of noble descent, do jihad in their personal world, which is very severe. However, eventually they become victorious by Divine grace and become the owners of the everlasting kingdom. This is an explanation of the "Rule of kings" (27:34) and also the centre of the entire narration, because from the beginning to the end is described the habit of Imams (May peace be through him) (i.e., kings), how they always conquer the personal worlds using their armies.

21 Rajab 1410 AH/18th February, 1990

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