۞ وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا ۖ يَـٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِى مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلْحَدِيدَ 10
Translations
And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,
Transliteration
Wa laqad ataina dawuda minna fadlan ya jibalu awwibi ma'ahu wa al-taira wa alanna lahu al-hadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah granted Prophet Dawud (David) exceptional favors, commanding the mountains and birds to glorify Allah along with him, and softening iron for him to craft armor and vessels. This ayah emphasizes Dawud's unique status as a messenger and the miraculous abilities Allah bestowed upon him as signs of His power and favor. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates both Dawud's righteousness and Allah's ability to subdue creation to His chosen servants.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saba, which addresses the signs of Allah's power and mercy. The context discusses various prophets and their gifts. This particular passage emphasizes Dawud's unique miracles as evidence of prophethood and divine favor, distinguishing him among messengers through supernatural abilities granted by Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding Dawud: 'The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of Dawud; he used to fast every other day.' (Sahih Muslim 1159). Additionally, Surah Saba 34:11 is related to hadiths about the jinn working under Sulayman's command, showing Allah's subjugation of creation to prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true honor and capability come from Allah's favor rather than human effort alone, inspiring believers to seek divine assistance in their endeavors. It also reminds us that Allah can make the impossible possible for those He chooses, encouraging trust in His power and submission to His will.
Related Ayahs
وَمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن كُتُبٍ يَدْرُسُونَهَا ۖ وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ مِن نَّذِيرٍ
And We had not given them any scriptures which they could study, and We had not sent to them before you, [O Muḥammad], any warner.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَأْتِينَا ٱلسَّاعَةُ ۖ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَآ أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allāh is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register -
لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِى مَسْكَنِهِمْ ءَايَةٌ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۖ كُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], "Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and a forgiving Lord."
قُلْ إِن ضَلَلْتُ فَإِنَّمَآ أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِى ۖ وَإِنِ ٱهْتَدَيْتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِىٓ إِلَىَّ رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ
Say, "If I should err, I would only err against myself. But if I am guided, it is by what my Lord reveals to me. Indeed, He is Hearing and near."