Sūrah Ṣād The Letter Ṣād
ص
88 verses, Makkī. Dāwūd ﷺ and his trial judging between two brothers and the repentance that followed. Sulaymān ﷺ and the horses that distracted him from ʿAṣr prayer his repentance and restoration. Ayyūb's ﷺ trial and patient endurance. Iblīs's declaration of arrogance and his vow. The realities of Paradise and Hell.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
Dāwūd's ﷺ trial (38:21–25): Two disputants climbed over his private chamber wall one said: "My brother has ninety-nine ewes and I have one he asked me to give it to him and he overpowered me in speech." Dāwūd said: "He has wronged you by asking to add your ewe to his ewes." Dāwūd realised it was a test he sought forgiveness. Ibn Kathīr records the scholarly view that his error was issuing judgment without hearing the other party first.
Ayyūb's ﷺ patience (38:41–44): He called upon his Lord "Adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful." Allah responded a spring to bathe in and drink from. Restored his family and doubled their number. Ibn Kathīr: the patience of Ayyūb ﷺ became the standard of endurance for all generations.
- Iblīs's four declarations (38:75–85): (1) He was not alone in refusing "I am better than him." (2) He asked for respite until the Day of Resurrection granted. (3) He vowed to mislead them all except the sincere servants. (4) Allah said: Truth I will fill Hell with him and those who follow him. Ibn Kathīr: Iblīs's logic was wrong but his prediction (about the exception) was accurate.
- Dāwūd ﷺ as vicegerent (38:26): "O Dāwūd, indeed We have made you a vicegerent on earth so judge between the people in truth and do not follow desire, lest it lead you astray from the path of Allah." The two responsibilities of authority: truth and freedom from desire.
- Sulaymān ﷺ and the horses (38:31–33): He was presented with swift horses in the afternoon they diverted him until the sun had set. He said: "Indeed I loved the love of good things more than remembrance of my Lord." Ibn Kathīr: he repented then resumed the horses to dedicate them to Allah's cause.
- The creation of the human from clay (38:71–72): "I am creating a human being from clay. When I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My spirit fall down in prostration to him." The greatest dignity given to the human the spirit breathed directly from Allah.
- The Book of the Quraysh (38:8): "Has the reminder been sent down on him from among us?" They were in doubt about My reminder they have not yet tasted My punishment. Ibn Kathīr: their objection was tribal why him and not one of the chiefs of the two cities?