أَنِ ٱعْمَلْ سَـٰبِغَـٰتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِى ٱلسَّرْدِ ۖ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَـٰلِحًا ۖ إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ 11
Translations
[Commanding him], "Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links, and work [all of you] righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Seeing."
Transliteration
Ani'mal sabigatin wa qaddir fi as-sard wa'malu salihan inni bima ta'malun basir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses Prophet Dawood (David) and the jinn under his command, instructing them to craft coats of mail (armor) with precise measurements and careful craftsmanship in the interlinking of the rings. The command emphasizes both skillful execution and righteous conduct, with Allah's assurance that He is fully aware of all their deeds. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this demonstrates how Allah granted Dawood divine knowledge of metallurgy and craftsmanship as a mercy, while simultaneously enjoining moral excellence alongside technical proficiency.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Dawood (David) in Surah Saba, which discusses the miracles and favors Allah bestowed upon him. The context describes the jinn working under his command at Allah's permission, tasked with creating armor and other works. This demonstrates Allah's subjugation of natural forces and the jinn to His prophets as a sign of divine favor.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Verily, Allah loves that when one of you does a task, he does it with precision' (Narrated in various collections emphasizing excellence in work). Additionally, Surah An-Nahl 16:12 relates to divine knowledge of human actions, reinforcing the theme of Allah's all-seeing nature.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that excellence in one's craft or profession is a form of worship and obedience to Allah, provided it is accompanied by righteous intention and conduct. It reminds us that Allah observes both the quality of our work and the sincerity of our hearts, making integrity and skill inseparable aspects of a believer's responsibility.
Related Ayahs
وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَـٰهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيْرَ ۖ سِيرُوا۟ فِيهَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ
And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey, [saying], "Travel between them by night or by day in safety."
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ
And We did not send into a city any warner except that its affluent said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."
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.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ فَزِعُوا۟ فَلَا فَوْتَ وَأُخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ
And if you could see when they are terrified but there is no escape, and they will be seized from a place nearby.