سورة صٓ
Surah Sâd 38:24
The Truthful God · Verse 24 of 88
قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْخُلَطَاءِ لَيَبْغِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩
Abdul Mannan Omar
(David) said, `He has certainly been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to be added) to his own ewes. And surely many partners transgress against one another except those who believe (in God) and do deeds of righteousness. Yet how few are these!´ (While saying this) David realised that We had tried him, therefore he sought protection of his Lord and fell down bowing in worship and turned (to his Lord) in repentance.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
(David) said: "He has undoubtedly wronged thee in demanding thy (single) ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: truly many are the partners (in business) who wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and how few are they?"...and David gathered that We had tried him: he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration), and turned (to Allah in repentance).
Ahmed Ali
(David) said: "He is unjust in demanding your ewe to add to his (many) ewes. Many partners are surely -- unjust to one another, except those who believe and do the right; but there are only a few of them." It occurred to David that he was being tried by Us, and he begged his Lord to forgive him, and fell down in homage and repented.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
David said: "He has undoubtedly wronged you in demanding your single ewe to add to his own ewes. Truly many are the partners in business who trespass against the right of one another, except such as believe and do good, righteous deeds, and how few they are!" David came to understand that We had tried him, so he appealed to his Lord for forgiveness, and fell down in prostration, and turned to God in contrition.
Daryabadi
Da-ud said: assuredly he hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and verily many of the partners oppress each other save such as believe and work righteous works, and few are they. And Da-ud imagined that We had tried him; so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down bowing and turned in penitence.
Faridul Haque
Said Dawud, “He is indeed being unjust to you in that he demands to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed most partners wrong one another, except those who believe and do good deeds - and they are very few!” Thereupon Dawud realised that We had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and fell prostrate and inclined (towards his Lord). (Command of Prostration # 10)
Maulana Muhammad Ali
He said: Surely he has wronged thee in demanding thy ewe (to add) to his own ewes. And surely many partners wrong one another save those who believe and do good, and very few are they! And David knew that We had tried him, so he asked his Lord for protection, and he fell down bowing and turned (to God).
Maulvi Sher Ali
David said, `Surely, he has wronged thee in asking for thy ewe to add to his own ewes. And certainly many partners transgress against one another, except those who believe in ALLAH and act righteously; and these are but few.' And David thought that WE had tried him; so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down bowing in worship and turned to HIM.
Muhammad Asad
Said [David]: "He has certainly wronged thee by demanding that thy ewe be added to his ewes! Thus, behold, do many kinsmen wrong one another - [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!"
Muhammad Musin Khan
[Dawud (David)] said (immediately without listening to the opponent): "He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few." And Dawud (David) guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance.
Muhammad Pickthall
(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.
Muhammad Sarwar
David said, "He has certainly been unjust in demanding your ewe from you. Most partners transgress against each other except for the righteously striving believers who are very few." David realized that it was a test from Us so he asked forgiveness from his Lord and knelt down before him in repentance.
Muhammed ali Shakir
He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him).
Rashad Khalifa
He said, "He is being unfair to you by asking to combine your sheep with his. Most people who combine their properties treat each other unfairly, except those who believe and work righteousness, and these are so few." Afterwards, David wondered if he made the right judgment. He thought that we were testing him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and repented.
Shabbir Ahmed
David said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your farm in addition to his farms. Many close associates and partners (in business) treat each other unfairly, except those who believe (in the Law of Recompense) and care for others. And how few are they?” Afterwards, David thought that We had tried him. (The economic system in his kingdom needed reform.) He asked forgiveness of his Lord, bowed in humility and turned to Him (for guidance).
Commentary 38:24 The words Fastaghfaraفَاسْتَغْفَرَ and Ghafarnaغفَرنا in verse 25 by no means indicate that David had committed a sin, for Istighfârأستغفار really…
وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ
38:24 The words Fastaghfaraفَاسْتَغْفَرَ and Ghafarnaغفَرنا in verse 25 by no means indicate that David had committed a sin, for Istighfârأستغفار really signifies the seeking of protection (Barmawî in his commentary of Bukhârî). Ghafraغَفَرَ means covering with that which protects a thing from dirt (Râghib). In religious terminology, the word Ghafraعَفْر is used in the sense of seeking protection from the commission of sins and faults ( see Nihâyah). David sought Divine protection when he saw that his enemies had grown so bold against him that in spite of all means of protection he had taken, they could even enter into his private chamber. No doubt the Prophets of Allâh are human beings, and subject to the weaknesses inherent in human nature as such, and theoretically they can sin by virtue of their very nature, but because of being chosen by Allâh, they remain Ma‘sûm (معصوم - innocent) and cannot commit sin. Their purity comes from their inner struggles and trials and thus represents a moral achievement, which is a result of an in-born quality given by God. As the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “I, too, have a Satan, but my Satan has embraced Islam and he is my obedient servant, and he does not enjoin me except to righteousness and the Truth.” Therefore, the Prophets of Allâh cannot ever commit sins and are of pure character. After all, how could a sinful person purify others from sins, which is the main function of Prophets?
However, the story of Uriah, somewhat arbitrarily developed by the writers of the Bible (11 Samuel), over the course of the centuries, contradicts this doctrine. It may be added that a party of the Israelites themselves was opposed to David (2:102), and that the revolt of the ten tribes against Rehoboam, son of Solomon, is a proof of this. This explains many of the false charges originating among Israelites against their own two Prophet-kings. However, the Holy Qur’ân says that David “ever turned to Allâh” and that “he gave him wisdom and a clear judgment” (27:15; 34:10, 6:84) .