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
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].
وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلتَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
And they will [then] say, "We believe in it!" But how for them will be the taking [of faith] from a place far away?
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ قَالُوا۟ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ يُرِيدُ أَن يَصُدَّكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ إِفْكٌ مُّفْتَرًى ۚ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, they say, "This is not but a man who wishes to avert you from that which your fathers were worshipping." And they say, "This is not except a lie invented." And those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them, "This is not but obvious magic."
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."