Juz 23: Yā Sīn 28 to Az-Zumar 31
Section 14 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Stories of Dawud and Sulaiman
The narratives of Prophet Dawud (David) and his son Sulaiman (Solomon) (peace be upon them) in Surah Sad present powerful examples of righteous leadership, divine favor, and spiritual humility. Allah introduces Dawud with exceptional praise:
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
“And remember Our slave, Dāwūd (David) who was endowed with power. Surely he was ever-turning to Allah in penitence.”
The term "dhal-ayd" (endowed with power) refers to Dawud's strength in worship and his powerful kingdom. Allah describes him as "awwāb," meaning one who constantly turns to Allah in repentance and devotion, a quality of the highest spiritual excellence.
Allah demonstrated His special favor upon Dawud by subjugating even the mountains to join him in glorifying his Lord:
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ
“We had subjugated the mountains with him that they proclaimed Allah's purity in the afternoon and at sunrise.”
Dawud (peace be upon him) possessed a remarkably beautiful voice when reciting the Zabur (Psalms). His melodious recitation was so captivating that even birds would pause in flight to listen. Allah strengthened his kingdom and granted him wisdom and eloquence in speech:
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
“And We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.”
A crucial lesson emerges when Allah addresses Dawud in verse 26:
يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
“O Dāwūd, We have made you a vicegerent on earth, so judge between people with truth, and do not follow the desire, lest it should lead you astray from Allah's way.”
This divine instruction highlights the immense responsibility of leadership and the constant danger of allowing personal desires to influence judgment. It remains a timeless principle for all those in positions of authority—to administer justice with fairness and resist the pull of personal inclinations, relationships, or biases.
The narrative then transitions to Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon him), who inherited not only his father's kingdom but also his prophetic mission. Allah bestowed upon him unprecedented blessings:
وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
“And We blessed Dāwūd with Sulaimān. How excellent a slave (he was)! Surely he was ever-turning to Allah in penitence.”
Despite receiving extraordinary favors that included control over the wind, subjugation of jinn, and an unparalleled kingdom, Sulaiman maintained humility before Allah. His sup