فَفَهَّمْنَـٰهَا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ وَكُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ 79
Translations
And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].
Transliteration
Fafahhamnāhā Sulaymān. Wa kullan ātaynā hukman wa cilmān. Wa sakhkharnā maca Dāwūd al-jibāl yusabbihna wa al-tīr. Wa kunnā fācileen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah granted Sulayman understanding of the case (judgment between David and the people regarding the vineyard mentioned in the previous ayah), and gave both David and Sulayman wisdom and knowledge. Ibn Kathir notes that Sulayman was granted superior understanding in this particular matter, while both prophets received divine wisdom and knowledge generally. Allah also subjected the mountains and birds to glorify Him along with David, demonstrating the miraculous powers granted to these prophets as signs of their prophethood.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anbiya (Meccan chapter) which discusses various prophets and their stories. The immediate context references a dispute over a field/vineyard that David judged, and this ayah clarifies that Sulayman was given deeper understanding of the matter. The surah emphasizes the diverse miracles and capabilities granted to different prophets by Allah.
Related Hadiths
The story is referenced in Surah Al-Sad (38:21-26) with more detail. A relevant hadith in Sahih Bukhari discusses David's excellence in judgment and his devotion to Allah, showing the prophetic qualities mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah grants different wisdoms and abilities to different individuals according to His will; we should appreciate the unique gifts we receive rather than compare ourselves to others, and recognize that all blessings—including understanding and knowledge—are divinely granted favors meant to bring us closer to worshipping Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors."
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.
ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ يَنطِقُونَ
Then they reversed themselves, [saying], "You have already known that these do not speak!"
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُنذِرُكُم بِٱلْوَحْىِ ۚ وَلَا يَسْمَعُ ٱلصُّمُّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا مَا يُنذَرُونَ
Say, "I only warn you by revelation." But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.