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].
وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ ۖ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُۥ عَيْنَ ٱلْقِطْرِ ۖ وَمِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۦ ۖ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind - its morning [journey was that of] a month - and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command - We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze.
۞ قُلْ مَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَإِنَّآ أَوْ إِيَّاكُمْ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى أَوْ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Say, "Who provides for you from the heavens and the earth?" Say, "Allāh. And indeed, we or you are either upon guidance or in clear error."
وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَيَقْذِفُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
And they had already disbelieved in it before and would assault the unseen from a place far away.