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
وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُۥ ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا۟ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
And intercession does not benefit with Him except for one whom He permits. [And those wait] until, when terror is removed from their hearts, they will say [to one another], "What has your Lord said?" They will say, "The truth." And He is the Most High, the Grand.
قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوْمٍ لَّا تَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ عَنْهُ سَاعَةً وَلَا تَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
Say, "For you is the appointment of a Day [when] you will not remain thereafter an hour, nor will you precede [it]."
وَمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنْ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ
And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure].
وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشْيَاعِهِم مِّن قَبْلُ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ فِى شَكٍّ مُّرِيبٍۭ
And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done with their kind before. Indeed, they were in disquieting doubt [i.e., denial].