إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ ٱلصَّـٰفِنَـٰتُ ٱلْجِيَادُ 31
Translations
[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.
Transliteration
Idh urida alayhi bil-ʿashiyyi aṣ-ṣāfinātu al-jiyād
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the incident when fine, prancing horses were presented to Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) in the evening, which he had requested as a test of his patience and obedience to Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Sulayman became so absorbed in reviewing these magnificent horses that he missed the afternoon prayer, leading him to repentance and the famous supplication in the following verses. This passage illustrates how even worldly blessings can distract from spiritual duties, and how the righteous are quick to recognize and correct such lapses.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the story of Prophet Sulayman within Surah Sad, which emphasizes his unique position as a prophet-king granted extraordinary powers and possessions. The broader context involves Sulayman's trials and tests through his wealth and authority, demonstrating that true servitude to Allah transcends material possession.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific incident, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths emphasizing the importance of not neglecting obligatory prayers, and Tirmidhi records traditions about Sulayman's righteousness and his concern for maintaining his spiritual commitments despite worldly distractions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that wealth, status, and possessions—no matter how magnificent—should never become barriers to fulfilling our obligations to Allah, particularly our daily prayers; it teaches us to remain vigilant and self-aware, recognizing when we have strayed from our spiritual priorities and returning quickly to obedience.