The Ark of the Covenant: Its true meaning and significance from Islamic perspective
The Ark of the Covenant was a cubic wooden structure heavily overlaid with pure gold. That was made under divine guidance in the time of Moses. This article considers its true meaning and significance according to Islam
Israeli behaviour immediately after their deliverance from Egypt by Moses clearly reveals that the concept of God taught them by Moses was too abstract for their understanding. This should be so for the fact that the mighty signs of an Omnipotent God shown them by Moses is hardly rivalled by mighty divine signs shown to other nations by their Prophets. The nine wonders of Moses to the Egyptians, splitting of the sea to enable the Israelites escape to Sinai, falling down of manna from heaven, just to mention some few of such wonders Notwithstanding this track record of mighty divine signs, their following behaviour reveals that their faith in an abstract God was only skin deep. First, they resorted to the worship of the golden calf when Moses departed from them for just only 40 days. Secondly, they challenged the divine authority and leadership of Moses and Aaron, under the rebellion by Korah. Third, they demanded from Moses that he should show them God face to face. In the face these divine rebellions was the need for God to bring of the concept of an abstract God down their level of understanding God to their level of development and perception. In short, an abstract God was too far removed from them. They needed a God that was very close and whom they could touch and feel palpably. A God Who resided in an Ark that they could carry about perfectly satisfied their imaginations. This, in my view, was the reason that led to the construction of the Ark.
Little wonder, when they carried God in the Ark across the Jordan River, the latter split into two to enable them cross it. On another occasion when they carried the Ark and circumambulated the heavily fortified city of Jericho, the latter was destroyed to enable them enter and capture it. Whenever they carried it into war, they were granted victory over their enemies. They therefore revered it and jubilated with its presence during wars.
On the occasion when the Ark was being returned to Jerusalem, during the time of David, a non-Levite who touched it was immediately struck down dead (2 Samuel 6:6–7). Thus striking fear into their hearts of a God who resided in the Ark and who would not tolerate the least violation of the Ak’s sanctity.
Ark
Briefly described, this is a description of the Ark based on Deuteronomy 25:1–25 Length, 2½ cubits; width, 1½ cubits; height ½ cubit. Two rings by each of the two sides through which golden poles passed to enable carriers carry it. On top of the Ark rested the Mercy Seat of the same dimensions as the Ark itself. At the two ends of the Mercy Seat stood two figures of angels in gold facing each other with outspread wings. All parts of the Ark were lavishly overlaid with pure gold. Inside the Ark were deposited the commandments given by God to Moses. Concerning the Mercy Seat we read from the Bible: “And there I (God) will meet with you and commune with you from above the Mercy Seat which is between the two cherubim (Angels) which are upon the Ark of the Testimony.” In other words, God used to speak with Moses from the top of the Mercy Seat. We read the following about the Ark from the Qur’an: “And the sign of his sovereignty is that there shall be brought to you the Ark (Al-Tabut) in which there is tranquility (Al-Sakinah) from your Lord and the remnants (Baqiyyah) of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron left behind, the Angels carrying it. Surely, in this there is a sign if you are believers” (Qur’an 2:254).
The text means that the return of the Ark from Palestinian captivity shall serve as a mighty sign in support of the first Israelite king whom the Israelites demanded that Samuel should appoint. The word Al-Tabut, qualified by the definite article makes it the most distinguished wooden box, in reference to the Ark of the Covenant.
Al-Sakinah, meaning the tranquility, is a spiritual manifestation such that when it descends on a recipient, it confers perfect peace and removes fear from his heart. Opinions differ as to the exact nature of the Sakinah, but all are agreed that it is a spiritual manifestation from God. The Sakinah the Qur’an refers to is the Biblical Mercy Seat from where God would speak to Moses. According to Ibn Abbas, Qatadah, Suddi, etc. the remnants (Baqiyyah) left in the Ark by the families of Moses and Aaron were the following items: the rod of Moses, the rod of Aaron, the two tablets of the Torah given by God to Moses (Tabari).
The last term in Qur’an 2:254, which we have quoted above, namely “the angels carrying it,” is interpreted by Ibn Abbas to mean: “The Angels brought the Ark carrying it between the heaven and the earth, while the people looked on till they deposited it into the room of Talut (Saul), thereby confirming his sovereignty.” (Ibn Athir).Yet others are of the opinion that the Ark was returned by God inflicting all kinds of divine punishment on those who captured it. There by compelling them to return it to the comers , which occurred in the time of Talut (Ibn Athir).Some opinions share the view that Talut, spoken of in the Qur’an, refers to none but Gideon.
Let the Jamaat master the true concepts behind the words: Al-Tabut, Al-Sakina, Al-Baqiyyah.
Conclusion
God in the Ark brought the concept of an Almighty God closer to them, abstract God which they found difficult to understand for being too far away.
BY KHALID KOFI AHMAD
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