وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ عِلْمًا ۖ وَقَالَا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 15
Translations
And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allāh, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ātaynā Dāwūda wa-Sulaymāna 'ilman wa-qālā al-hamdu lillāh alladhī faddhalana 'alā kathīrin min 'ibādihi al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah bestowed upon Prophet Dawud (David) and Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) knowledge and wisdom, and both prophets responded with gratitude, praising Allah for favoring them above many of the believing servants. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this knowledge encompassed both religious understanding and practical wisdom, including Sulayman's unique gift of understanding the speech of birds and control over the wind and jinn. The emphasis on their dual gratitude illustrates that true knowledge must be accompanied by recognition of Allah's grace and humility before Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Naml, which discusses various miracles and stories of the prophets. The context is Meccan, addressing the polytheists' rejection of Muhammad's prophethood by highlighting the honor and miracles granted to previous prophets. This specific verse introduces the account of Sulayman's kingdom that follows, establishing the narrative of divine favor and knowledge bestowed upon righteous prophets.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3441) mentions Prophet Muhammad's supplication for knowledge: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an' (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge). Additionally, the Quran (2:269) states 'He grants wisdom to whom He wills,' which complements this ayah's theme of divine bestowal of knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that knowledge and success are divine gifts that must be received with humility and gratitude rather than pride or arrogance. For believers today, it reminds us that any excellence or understanding we possess should lead us closer to Allah and inspire constant thankfulness, preventing us from falling into vanity or spiritual complacency.