Books

Contents of "GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FROM THE QUR'AN"

THE STORY OF THE PROPHET DAWUD (AS)

My Lord knows best everyone in the heavens and earth. We favoured some of the Prophets over others. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (Surat al-Isra', 55)

The Story of Talut

What do you think about the council of the tribe of Israel after Musa's time when they said to one of their Prophets, 'Give us a king and we will fight in the Way of Allah!'? He said, 'Is it not possible that if fighting were prescribed for you, you would not fight?' They said, 'How could we not fight in the way of Allah when we have been driven from our homes and children?' But then when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned their backs – except for a few of them. Allah knows the wrongdoers. Their Prophet said to them, 'Allah has appointed Talut to be your king.' They said, 'How can he have kingship over us when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even got much wealth!' He said, 'Allah has chosen him over you and favoured him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives kingship to anyone He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.' Their Prophet said to them, 'The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, containing serenity from your Lord and certain relics left by the families of Musa and Harun. It will be borne by angels. There is a sign for you in that if you are believers.' (Surat al-Baqara, 246-248)


The Story of Talut and Goliath

When Talut marched out with the army, he said, 'Allah will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me – except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand.' But they drank from it – except for a few of them. Then when he and those who believed with him had crossed it, they said, 'We do not have the strength to face Goliath and his troops today.' But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, 'How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah's permission! Allah is with the steadfast. When they came out against Goliath and his troops, they said, 'Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us, and make our feet firm, and help us against this disbelieving people.' And with Allah's permission they routed them. Dawud killed Goliath and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah's driving some people back by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favour to all the worlds. (Surat al-Baqara, 249-251)

Prophecy of the Prophet Dawud (as)

We gave him Ishaq and Ya'qub, each of whom We guided. And before him We had guided Nuh. And among his descendants were Dawud and Sulayman, and Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa and Harun. That is how We recompense the good-doers. (Surat al-An'am, 84)

We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh and the Prophets who came after him. And We revealed to Ibrahim and Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub and the Tribes, and 'Isa and Ayyub and Yunus and Harun and Sulayman. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (Surat an-Nisa', 163)

My Lord knows best everyone in the heavens and earth. We favoured some of the Prophets over others. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (Surat al-Isra', 55)

Traits of the Prophet Dawud (as)

And with Allah's permission they routed them. Dawud killed Goliath and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah's driving some people back by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favour to all the worlds. (Surat al-Baqara, 251)

Mountains and Birds Under His Command

We gave Dawud great favour from Us: 'O mountains and birds! Echo with him in his praise!' And We made iron malleable for him. (Surah Saba', 10)

We subjected the mountains to glorify with him in the evening and at sunrise. And also the birds, flocking together, all of them turned to Him. (Surah Sâd, 18-19)

His Kingdom, Wisdom and Decisive Speech

We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. (Surah Sâd, 20)

His Artistic Knowledge

We taught him the art of making garments for you to protect you against each others' violence, But do you show any thanks? (Surat al-Anbiya', 80)

We gave Dawud great favour from Us: 'O mountains and birds! Echo with him in his praise!' And We made iron malleable for him: 'Make full-length coats of mail, measuring the links with care. And act rightly, all of you, for I see what you do.' (Surah Saba', 10-11)

Litigants Who Went to the Prophet Dawud (as)

Has the story of the litigants reached you? How they climbed up to the Upper Room and came in on Dawud who was alarmed by them. They said, 'Do not be afraid. We are two litigants, one of whom has acted unjustly towards the other, so judge between us with truth and do not be unjust and guide us to the Right Path. This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one. He said, "Let me have charge of it," and got the better of me with his words.' He said, 'He has wronged you by asking for your ewe to add to his ewes.Truly many partners are unjust to one another –except those who believe and do right actions, and how few they are!' Dawud realised that We had put him to the test. He begged forgiveness from his Lord and fell down prone, prostrating, and repented. So We forgave him for that and he has nearness to Us and a good Homecoming. 'Dawud! We have made you an overlord on the earth, so judge between people with truth and do not follow your own desires, letting them misguide you from the Way of Allah. Those who are misguided from the Way of Allah will receive a harsh punishment because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.' (Surah Sâd, 21-26)

Their Judgement About the Field

And Dawud and Sulayman when they gave judgement about the field, when the people's sheep strayed into it at night. We were Witness to their judgement. We gave Sulayman understanding of it. We gave each of them judgement and knowledge. We subjected the mountains to Dawud, glorifying, and the birds as well. This is something We are well able to do. (Surat al-Anbiya', 78-79)