Dawud and Learning Wisdom Through Judgment — The King Who Walks in Truth
stories
Level: intermediate
other-prophets
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وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَفَصۡلَ ٱلۡخِطَابِ
— ص 20
Verse: "We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and decisive speech." (38:20)
Dawud ﷺ: Prophet, king, warrior, and poet — Allah combined for him what He combined for no other: prophethood, kingship, beautiful voice (the Psalms), and armor-making.
The two plaintiffs case: He initially ruled without hearing the second party, then repented and prostrated. After the repentance came: "Judge between people with truth."
Lesson: A just king who repents from his error is nobler than one who never errs and never learns.
Source: Ibn Kathir (7/48); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (15/146)
Question: What mistake did Dawud ﷺ make in a judgment and how did he respond?
Answer: He ruled initially without hearing the other party — then realized and prostrated repentantly. His immediate repentance became a lesson in integrity.