Stories from the Qur’an • Series 22

A Successor upon the Earth

The Story of Prophet David and His Judgements According to the Qur’an and Authentic Hadith

Two men climbed over the wall of a prayer chamber. One owned ninety-nine ewes, and demanded his brother’s only one. Prophet David judged — then realised he was being tried, and at once fell down in prostration and repented. The story of a king, prophet and judge from the Qur’an and authentic Hadith only, without Israiliyyat. “O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth.”

📖 Free PDF 🕌 Verses of the Qur'an 📜 Hadith with Isnad 🛡️ No Israiliyyat

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What You Will Learn

A servant of strength who turned back to Allah — the Zabur made easy to recite (38:17; Sahih al-Bukhari 3417), with a flow chart of 8 events.
Mountains and birds in praise — and “the flutes of the family of David” (34:10; Sahih al-Bukhari 5048).
Iron made pliable — knowledge that protects people (34:11; 21:80).
Two men climb the wall of the prayer chamber — David’s judgement, trial and repentance (38:21–25).
“We have made you a successor upon the earth” — do not follow desire (38:26), and the just upon pulpits of light (Sahih Muslim 1827).
Two judgements — the field overrun by sheep (21:78–79) and two women with one child (Sahih al-Bukhari 3427), a table of Israiliyyat and an archaeological note on the Tel Dan Stele.

يَٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَٰكَ خَلِيفَةࣰ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ

“O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.”

Surah Sad (38): 26 — Sahih International

🌿 Reflection Each of us is a “successor” in our own sphere — at home, at work, in society. When we judge, do we hear both sides? And when we err, do we return to Allah at once?

This eBook Is For

Leaders, judges & those holding a trust

Parents & heads of families

Students of tafsir

Preachers, teachers & counsellors

Read the Full eBook — Free

The story of Prophet David — the verses of Surah Sad 38:17–26, Al-Anbiya’ 21:78–80 and Saba’ 34:10–13 with the Sahih International translation, a flow chart of the story and a comparison of two judgements, authentic Hadith with linked chains of narration, commentary of trusted scholars, a table of Israiliyyat (including the rejection of the Uriah story), and an honest archaeological note on the Tel Dan Stele.

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