Dawud (دَاوُوْد), also known as David, was a Prophet and Messenger sent by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. He was one of the Prophets sent to the Israelites (Bani Israel). He is also one of the few Prophets who were also the Kings of their nations. He was the King of the Kingdom of Israel.
Of thousands of Prophets sent to this world, only a few were given the divine book. Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was one of them. He was given Zabur, also referred to as Psalms. Zabur is one of the four holy books, along with the Quran, Taura, and Injil, revealed upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and Prophet Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, respectively. Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is also one of the 25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Quran. He is mentioned 16 times in the Quran.
Predecessor of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was Prophet Harun عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام, whereas his son Prophet Sulaiman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام came after him.
Early life of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
Father of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ had three sons. At that time, Talut, also known as Saul, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Israel. King Talut was quite popular amongst the Israelites and was famous for his kindness and justice. The father of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ sent all three brothers to serve in the Army of King Talut. He asked his son Dawud not to take part in battles but only to work with the Talut army in other capacities.
At that time, the Kingdom of Israel was in a close rift with its rival, Jalut, also known as Goliath. Jalut was a famous worrier of his time, tall and well-built, known for his brutality. After some time, Jalut challenged the Kingdom of Israel.
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Jalut
King Talut instructed his army not to drink water from the river while marching towards the battlefield. Despite clear instructions, most drank water from the river and were prohibited from crossing it. So, the number of soldiers left with King Talut was reduced considerably. The armies of King Talut and his rival Jalut came face to face on the battlefield. The men of King Talut were frightened and reluctant to face Jalut. The situation is mentioned in the 249th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah:
Translation
When Saul led his armies, he said: “God will test you by a stream. Whoever drinks its water will not be of me, but those who do not drink shall be on my side. The only exception will be those who scoop up a palmful of water with their hands.” And but for a few they all drank of its water. When they had crossed it, and those who believed with him, they said: “We have no strength to combat Goliath and his forces today. But those who believed they have to face their Lord, said: “Many a time has a small band defeated a large horde by the will of God. God is with those who are patient (and persevere).”
Verse 250 of Surah Al Baqara further explains the situation:
Translation
And when they were facing Goliath and his hordes they prayed: “O Lord, give us endurance and steady our steps, and help us against the deniers of truth.”
So the armies came face to face on the battlefield for decisive combat. Per the norms of ancient times, Jalut invited the soldiers of Talut’s army to come forward and fight with him. It was a pin-drop silence in Talut’s army. None of his soldiers was willing to accept Jalut’s challenge. King Talut even offered to marry his beautiful daughter, the one who beat Jalut. Despite this offer, none of the army men of Talut came forward to fight with Jalut.
At this stage, Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, who was quite young at that time, came forward, accepting the challenge of Goliath. The reaction of Goliath and his army was loud laughter, seeing the appearance and physique of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. On the other hand King Saul was astonished to see Dawud accepting the challenge of Jalut. He was quite worried but impressed by the bravery of his soldier Dawud. He asked him not to combat with Jalut but Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ told him that he had earlier killed a bear and just the other day had killed a lion as well.
Talut was impressed and allowed Dawud to fight Jalut. He dressed up Dawud, like a worrier of that time. However, Prophet Dawud was not used to such armor and swords. He felt it was hampering his movement. So, he removed the battle armor and just took a wooden staff along with a sling and a few stones in a leather pouch. Talut felt worried but Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ told him that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ Will protect him.
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ kills Goliath (Jalut)
Jalut looked at the young Dawud and asked, “Are you not worried about your life?” Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ responded, I am here to fight you in the name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Soon you will see how Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ protects me and destroys you.
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ then put a stone in his sling and fired it on Jalut. The pebble hit Jalut with full force, killing him on the spot. With that, the battle turned in the favor of Talut and young Dawud returned a hero of the Israelites.
This event is narrated in the 251st verse of Surah Al-Baqarah:
Translation
By the will of God they defeated them, and David killed Goliath, and God gave him kingship and wisdom, and taught him whatsoever He pleased. If God did not make men deter one another this earth would indeed be depraved. But gracious is God to the people of the world
As narrated in the above-referred verse of the Quran, Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was destined to become the King. But before that, he was chosen as a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Meanwhile, King Talut fulfilled his promise and married her daughter to Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ
Dawud granted Prophet-Hood
After that historic victory over the mighty Jalut, Dawud gained popularity among Bani Israel. So, to avoid even a hint of being proud, he decided to go out of the town in the desert to accompany nature and glorify the Greatness of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Here he was granted the Prophet Hood.
It is mentioned in the 55th verse of Surah Al-Isra:
Translation
Your Lord knows whoever is in the heavens and the earth. We exalted some of the prophets over the others; and to David We gave the Book of Psalms.
When Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was in the desert out of his hometown, he used to praise and glorify Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى in his God gifted melodious voice. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى also gave him the skill to talk with animals. By the Will of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى, the surrounding mountains, trees, and birds would also join him, as narrated in verses 17-19 of Surah Sad:
Translation
- (O Prophet), bear with patience what they say, and call to mind Our servant David, who was endowed with great strength and who constantly turned (to Allah).
- With him We had subjected the mountains that they join him in celebrating Allah’s glory, evening and morning,
- and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to celebrating Allah’s glory.
The Miracles of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام
Pophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was granted with many miracles. The mountains, trees, birds, and animals singing with Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام and his understanding of the language of animals and birds were the miracles granted to him by Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى.
He was also granted the ability to mold iron, which was useful for crafting armaments. This was a unique miracle.
All these are mentioned in the 10th verse of Surah Saba:
Translation
We bestowed Our favour upon David. (We commanded): “O mountains, sing Allah’s praises with him”; (and so did We command) the birds. We softened the iron for him, (saying):
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام rated highest in fasting and prayers
Prophet Dawud’s worship was exemplary. He used to fast every other day. He used to offer prayers every night. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ rated him the highest in fasting and prayers, as mentioned in Hadith 3420 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Translation – Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, “The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) David who used to fast on alternate days. And the most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of David who used to sleep for (the first) half of the night and pray for 1/3 of it and (again) sleep for a sixth of it.”
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام and King Talut – The Jealousy Prevails
Despite the very humble and righteous nature of King Talut, a certain level of jealousy somehow developed in his behavior towards Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام. This was due to the ever-increasing popularity of Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام. So, he decided to eliminate Dawud, though he was his son-in-law. Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام also sensed this change in his attitude. It was also shared with him by his wife and daughter of Talut. This was quite shocking for the Prophet, but he only prayed for a better outcome.
The King asked Dawud to fight with the Canaan tribe and return only when they were completely defeated. Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام had a feeling that this was a plan of Talut to get rid of him. However, he moved on to fight the Canaanites and returned triumphant.
Eventually, the jealousy increased so much that Talut decided to kill Dawud. Dawud’s wife informed this planning to him. Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام hid himself in a cave for many days. Meanwhile, his brothers along with some other soldiers, came to help him. Meanwhile, King Talut was losing his grip over his kingdom, due to his harsh attitude toward the people.
One night, Dawud managed to enter the tent of King Talut, while he was sleeping. He cut a piece of his garment. He then made the King awake and said, I could have killed you, but I didn’t. I could have easily severed your head, as I have cut a piece of your garment. The King realized his wrong behavior and apologized for it.
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام Gets Kingship
After this incident, both Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام and King Talut lived as before. Years passed and King Talut was killed during a battle. It is believed that Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was not a part of this battle. The Israelites chose Dawud as their King. So, Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام became one of the few Prophets who were also the Kings of their nation.
By the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَى, the kingship of Prophet Dawud was strengthened, as mentioned in the 20th verse of Surah Sad:
Translation
And We strengthened his kingdom and endowed him with wisdom and decisive judgement
Here, it is also mentioned that Allah gave him the power to analyze matters and deliver judgments with wisdom. An incident is also mentioned in the Quran, where Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was tested for wisdom and power to give verdicts. This is explained in Surah Sad in verses 21 – 26:
Translation
- Has the story of the litigants reached you — of those who entered his private chambers by climbing over the wall?
- As they came upon David — and he was frightened of them — they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and guide us to the Right Way.
- Behold, this is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he got the better of me in argument.
- David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed many who live together commit excesses, one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing and penitently turning (to Him).
- Thereupon We forgave him his shortcoming and indeed (an exalted position of) nearness awaits him, and an excellent resort.
- (We said to him): “O David, We have appointed you vicegerent on earth. Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest it should lead you astray from Allah’s Path. Allah’s severe chastisement awaits those who stray away from Allah’s Path, for they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.
So, in this way, Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام learned the art and skill of deciding the matters. This helped him a lot in successfully delivering justice to his people.
Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام used to earn money for his living through making weapons. He never earned anything from the Kingdom for his personal life. He divided his day into four parts. First for earning his livelihood, second for prayer and worship, third for hearing the problems and complaints of his people, and fourth for delivering lectures.
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