The story of Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him) is mentioned in various places in the Qur’an. He is depicted as a righteous king, a prophet, and someone blessed with wisdom, strength, and a beautiful voice for glorifying Allah. Below are the key references to Prophet Dawud (PBUH).
1. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:251)
Arabic: فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ ٱلْمُلْكَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَآءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍۢ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Translation: “So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and wisdom and taught him of that which He willed. And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is full of bounty to the worlds.”
Context: This verse mentions Dawud (David) in the context of the battle between the Israelites and the army of Goliath (Jalut). Dawud was chosen by Allah to defeat Goliath, after which he was granted kingship and wisdom.
2. Surah Sad (38:17-26)
Arabic: ٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلْأَيْدِ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا ٱلْجِبَالَ مَعَهُۥ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِشْرَاقِ
وَٱلطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةًۭ كُلٌّۭ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُۥ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ ٱلْخِطَابِ
وَهَلْ أَتَىٰكَ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا۟ ٱلْمِحْرَابَ
إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ دَاوُۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنْهُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ خَصْمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعْضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تُشْطِطْ وَٱهْدِنَآ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ
إِنَّ هَـٰذَآ أَخِى لَهُۥ تِسْعٌۭ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةًۭ وَلِىَ نَعْجَةٌۭ وَٰحِدَةٌۭ فَقَالَ أَكْفِلْنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِى فِى ٱلْخِطَابِ
قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبْغِىۤ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌۭ مَّاهُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًۭا وَأَنَابَ
فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُۥ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍۢ
يَـٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰكَ خَلِيفَةًۭ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ شَدِيدٌۢ بِمَا نَسُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Translation: “Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah].
Indeed, We subjected the mountains to [praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and after sunrise.
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
And has the news of the adversaries come to you? When they climbed over the wall of his prayer chamber –
When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, ‘Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.
Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, “Entrust her to me,” and he overpowered me in speech.’
[David] said, ‘He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds – and few are they.’ And David became certain that We had tested him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah].
So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
[We said], ‘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.’ Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account.”
Context: This passage describes the trial of Dawud (David) when two men came to him with a dispute. One man claimed that the other had 99 sheep and sought to take his single sheep. Dawud initially ruled in favor of the man with the single sheep but later realized that it was a test from Allah. He repented for his hasty judgment, and Allah forgave him. Allah reminded him of his responsibility as a just ruler and warned him against following personal desires.
3. Surah Al-Anbiya (21:78-80)
Arabic: وَدَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ إِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِى ٱلْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ ٱلْقَوْمِ وَكُنَّا لِحُكْمِهِمْ شَـٰهِدِينَ
فَفَهَّمْنَـٰهَا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًۭا وَعِلْمًۭا ۚ وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ وَكُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍۢ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُم مِّنۢ بَأْسِكُمْ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُمْ شَـٰكِرُونَ
Translation: “And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field – when the sheep of a people overran it [at night], and We were witness to their judgment.
And We gave understanding of it to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgment and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us] with David, and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].
And We taught him the fashioning of coats of armor to protect you from your [enemy in] battle. So will you then be grateful?”
Context: This passage recounts an incident involving Prophet Dawud and his son, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), when they were judging a case about a field overrun by sheep. Allah praised their wisdom and judgment, giving Sulaiman a deeper understanding of the matter. Dawud is also noted for his craft of making armor, a skill Allah taught him to protect people in battle.
4. Surah Saba (34:10-11)
Arabic: وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا ۖ يَـٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِى مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلْحَدِيدَ
أَنِ ٱعْمَلْ سَـٰبِغَـٰتٍۢ وَقَدِّرْ فِى ٱلسَّرْدِ ۖ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَـٰلِحًا ۖ إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌۭ
Translation: “And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], ‘O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well].’ And We made pliable for him iron,
[Commanding him], ‘Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links, and work [all of you] righteousness. Indeed, I am of what you do, Seeing.'”
Context: These verses highlight the blessings that Allah bestowed upon Dawud, including the ability to mold iron and craft armor. Dawud was also given control over the mountains and birds, which praised Allah alongside him.
In Islam, Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him) holds a highly revered status as both a prophet and a king. His story is one of faith, wisdom, leadership, and repentance, and it offers numerous moral lessons. The Qur’an describes several key events in his life, emphasizing his devotion to Allah, his justice as a ruler, and his exceptional gifts.
Dawud’s (PBUH) Early Life and Defeat of Goliath (Jalut)
One of the most famous stories about Prophet Dawud is his defeat of the giant warrior Goliath (Jalut). The Israelites, led by King Saul (Talut), were engaged in a battle against the Philistines, who were led by the formidable Goliath. Goliath challenged the Israelites to send forth a champion to fight him in single combat, but no one was brave enough to face him.
At the time, Dawud was a young shepherd boy. He was not a soldier, but his deep faith in Allah and his courage compelled him to step forward. Armed with only a sling and stones, Dawud confronted Goliath. With Allah’s assistance, he was able to defeat the giant by striking him with a stone in the forehead, causing his death. This victory became a turning point in Dawud’s life.
Qur’anic Reference:
“So they defeated them by the permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom and taught him of that which He willed.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:251)
Dawud (PBUH) as a Prophet and King
Following his victory over Goliath, Dawud’s reputation grew, and Allah granted him kingship and prophethood. He was not only a just and wise ruler but also a devout servant of Allah. The Qur’an mentions his special ability to connect with nature, as the mountains and birds would join him in glorifying Allah.
Dawud was given the ability to mold iron, a gift from Allah that allowed him to make armor for warfare. He used this skill to help his people, especially in times of conflict. The Qur’an praises his work as a reminder to all believers to be grateful for Allah’s blessings and to use their skills and talents righteously.
Qur’anic Reference:
“We subjected the mountains to praise with him, and the birds as well. And We made pliable for him iron, [saying], ‘Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links.'”
(Surah Saba, 34:10-11)
The Judgment of Prophet Dawud (PBUH)
Prophet Dawud was known for his sense of justice and wisdom. One significant incident in his life involves a dispute between two men who came to him seeking judgment. One man had 99 sheep, while the other had just one. The man with 99 sheep wanted to take one sheep from the other, and Dawud initially ruled that the man with 99 sheep had wronged the other.
However, Dawud soon realized that this was a test from Allah and that he had judged too hastily. Feeling remorseful, he immediately turned to Allah in repentance, prostrating and seeking forgiveness. Allah forgave him and reaffirmed his role as a just ruler, reminding him of the importance of ruling with fairness and not following personal desires.
Qur’anic Reference:
“And David became certain that We had tested him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance. So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.”
(Surah Sad, 38:24-25)
Dawud’s (PBUH) Family and Legacy
Dawud’s son, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon, peace be upon him), also inherited prophethood and kingship from his father. Both Dawud and Sulaiman were granted immense wisdom by Allah and ruled with justice. They are frequently mentioned together in the Qur’an as examples of righteous rulers who applied their knowledge to serve Allah and guide their people.
Qur’anic Reference:
“And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field – when the sheep of a people overran it [at night], and We were witness to their judgment.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:78)
Psalms (Zabur) Given to Dawud (PBUH)
Prophet Dawud is also known for being the recipient of the Zabur (Psalms), one of the holy scriptures revealed by Allah. The Zabur contained divine praises and guidance, and Dawud would recite it in his melodious voice. His recitation was so moving that even nature, including mountains and birds, would join in his praises of Allah. The Zabur emphasized the worship of Allah and was a source of spiritual upliftment for the people.
Qur’anic Reference:
“And We gave David the Zabur.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:55)
Also, read the Story of Prophet Harun (Aaron) (Pbuh)