Ethics of The Prophets

  1. The Ethos Of Prophet David (Dawud) ======================================

Introduction

Prophet David is the son of Esha son of Awfayth son of Yuaz son of Solomon son of Yakhsun son of Amenothab son of Hasrun son of Baris son of Jahuda son of Jacob son of Issac son of Abraham who was born 4333 years after the Fall of Adam.

David was a Prophet of Allah and his name is Hebrew means the loving one. He was brought up in the house of his father Eisha. He took several sheep of his father and started taking care of them to earn his livelihood, He became a king 4363 years after the Fall of Adam in Hebron and then went to Baytul Muqaddas where his kingdom was strengthened.

"And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment" (38:20)

وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَضْلَ الْخِطَابِ.

The reliance upon Allah, its helm the patience and its sides the prayer, fast and alms. O my son! Whoever goes to sea without boat, he will drown. O my son! Do not speak much. Remember God in every place for he has admonished you, has bewared you, has given you insight and has taught you. O my son take lesson from people before they take lesson from you. O my son! Take lessons from minor tribulations before big tribulations afflict you. O my son! Control your anger so that you will not become woods of hell. O my son! It is better to be poor than to do injustice and to rebel. O my son! Refrain from borrowing so that you will not grieve over it or be perfidious in the debt.

David had eleven children but Solomon was most good-looking among them. David purchased the land of Al-Aqsa Mosque from its owners and started building it 4400 year after the Fall of Adam. One of the features of Prophet David was that mountains and birds praised God with him.

"And We made the mountains, and the birds to celebrate our praise with Dawud" (21:79)

وَسَخَّرْنا مَعَ دَاوُودَ الْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَالطَّيْرَ وَكُنَّا فَاعِلينَ.

He earned his living by weaving baskets and making coats of mail. God made the iron pliant to him.

"And We made the iron pliant to him, saying: make ample (coats of mail), and assign a time to the making of coats of mail" (34:10-11)

وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ ۖ

David made 360 coats of mail and sold them a thousand Dirhams each. When the time for his departure drew near, David made his last will and testament with Solomon and passed away, forty thousand scholars of Bani-Israel took part in his funeral and buried him in Dawud plot in Baytul-Moqaddas. He reigned for forty years the seven years of which was in Hebron and the rest in Baytul-Moqaddas. His heavenly book is called Psalms. He lived for seventy years and passed away 4403 years after the Fall of Adam.

His Appearance And Character

The holy Prophet has been polyquoted as saying: having blue eyes is auspicious. David had blue eyes, reddish face, slim legs, flowing hair, fair skin and a long beard partly curly. He had a good voice and temper with a golden heart.

أَخْبَرَنِي الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ الدّينوري بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ سَعِيد بْنَ الْمُسَيَّبِ عَنْ أَبى هُرَيْرَةٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ [وَآلهِ] وَسَلَّمَ (زُرْقَةُ الْعَيْنِ يُمْنٌ) وَكَانَ دَاوُودُ أَزْرِقُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ أَحْمَرُ الْوَجْهِ دَقِيقُ السّاقَيْنِ سَبْطُ الشَّعْرِ أَبْيَضُ الْجِسْمِ طَويلُ اللِّحْيَةِ فِيها جُعُودَةٌ حَسَنُ الصَّوْتِ وَالْخُلْقِ طَاهِرُ الْقَلْبِ نَقِيّةٌ.

Successful Businessman

It has been reported on the authority of Imam Sadeq that God inspired David: You are a very good servant except that you eat from the public fund and that you do not do anything with your hands. David started weeping. Then God inspired iron to become pliant for My servant Dawud. Since then, he made a coat of mail every day selling each for a thousand Dirhams. He made 360 coat of mail altogether sold them for 360000 Dirhams and did not depend on the public fund any longer. Four thousand guards were at his order and fed by his business.

عَنْ أَبي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: أَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعَالى إِلى دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِنَّكَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ لَوْلا أَنَّكَ تَأْكُلُ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ وَلا تَعْمَلُ بِيَدِكَ شَيْئًا، قَالَ: فَبَكى دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعالى الْحَديدَ أَنْ لِنْ لِعَبْدي دَاوُودَ، فَأَلانَ اللَّهُ تَعالى لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ، فَكَانَ يَعْمَلُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ دِرْعًا فَيَبيعَهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ، فَعَمِلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ثَلاثَ مِئَةٍ وَسِتّينَ دِرْعًا فَباعَها بِثَلاثِ مِائَةٍ وَسِتّينَ أَلْفًا، وَاسْتَغْنى عَنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ.

وَ كَانَ دَاوُودُ شَديدُ الاجْتِهَادِ كَثِيرُ الْعِبَادَةِ وَالْبُكَاءِ، وَكَانَ يَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَيَصُومُ نِصْفَ الدَّهْرِ وَكَانَ يَحْرُسُهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةً أَرْبَعَةَ آلافٍ وَكَانَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ كَسْبِ يَدِهِ.

Frequent In Returning (To Allah)

"And remember Our servant Dawud, the possessor of power, surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah)" (38:17)

وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنا دَاوُودَ ذَا الأَيْدِ إِنَّهُ أَوّابٌ

When David was strolling by the mountains praising God, mountains too answered him with praise. One night, he said to himself: No one worship God as much as I do. Then, he went on the top of mountain and horror overwhelmed him at midnight, God inspired mountains to get familiar with David. At this time, the call of Tashbeeh, Taqdees and Tahleel was raised from mountains. David said to himself: How can He hear me with all these calls? At this time, Gabriel descended, took him by arm to the sea and put the water on one side. The sea was further split till they touched the ground. Gabriel put the earth on one side, the ground was split, they reached a tower, put it on one side till they reached a rock, he put it on one side with his foot. It was split and a small worm came out with a sound. Gabriel said: Your Lord hears even the sound of this worm in this place.

إِنَّ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ كَانَ إِذَا تَخَلَّلَ الْجِبَالَ فَسَبَّحَ اللَّهَ تَعَالى جُعِلَتِ الْجِبَالُ تُجَاوِبُهُ بِالتَّسْبِيحِ نَحْوَ مَا يُسَبِّحُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ في نَفْسِهِ لَيْلَةً مِنَ الليالي لأَعْبُدَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالى عِبَادَةً لَمْ يَعْبُدْهُ أَحَدٌ بِمِثْلِها فَصَعَدَ الْجَبَلَ، فَلَمّا كَانَ جَوْفَ الليْل دَاخَلَتْهُ وَحْشَةٌ، فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعَالى الْجِبَالَ أَنْ آنِسي دَاوُودَ فَاصْطَكت الْجِبَالُ بِالتَّسْبِيحِ وَالتَّقْدِيسِ وَالتَّهْلِيلِ فَقَالَ دَاوُودُ في نَفْسِهِ كَيْفَ يَسْمَعُ صَوْتي مَعَ هَذِهِ الأَصْوَاتِ.

فَهَبَطَ عَلَيْهِ جِبْرَئِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَأَخَذَ بِعَضُدِهِ حَتّى انْتَهى بِهِ إِلى الْبَحْرِ فَوَكَزَهُ بِرِجْلِهِ فَانْفَرَجَ لَهُ الْبَحْرُ فَانْتَهَى بِهِ إِلى الأَرْضِ فَوَكَزَها بِرِجْلِهِ فَانْفَرَجَتْ لَهُ الأَرْضُ فَانْتَهَى بِهِ إِلى الْحُوتِ فَوَكَزَهُ بِرِجْلِهِ فَانْتَهى بِهِ إِلى الصَّخْرَةِ فَوَكَزَهَا بِرِجْلِهِ فَانْفَلَقَتْ فَخَرَجَ مِنْها دُودَةٌ تَنِشَ فَقَالَ لَهُ جِبْرئيلُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَسْمَعُ نَشِيشَ هَذِهِ الدُّودَةِ في هَذا الْمَوْضِعِ.

He spent the whole night performing only one Rakat of his prayer during which he wept and with his weeping everything started to weep. Those with fever and sorrow were put at rest by hearing David’s voice.

وَكَانَتْ لَهُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَبْكي فِيها نَفْسَهُ وَيَبْكي بِبُكائِهِ كُلَّ شَيءٍ وَيَصْرِفُ بِصَوْتِهِ الْمَهْمُومُ وَالْمَحْمُومُ.

A man questioned Ibn -Abbas on fast. He said: I have a hadith with me on David’s fast which I will tell you if you wish. Surely, he fasted frequently, rose up for night prayer most frequently and he was so brave he never ran away whenever he was challenged. He would fast a day and break it the next day. The Messenger of Allah has said: The best fast was that of David.

إِنَّ رَجُلا سَأَلَ ابْنَ عَبّاسٍ عَنْ الصِّيامِ فَقَالَ: لأُحَدِّثَنَّكَ بِحَدِيثٍ كَانَ عِنْدي في الْبَحْثِ مَخْزُونًا، إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْبَأْتُكَ بِصَوْمِ دَاوُودَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ صَوّامًا قَوّامًا وَكَانَ شُجَاعًا لا يَفُرُّ إِذَا لاقَى، وَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيَفْطُرُ يَوْمًا وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ [وَآلهِ] أَفْضَلُ الصّيامِ صِيامُ دَاوُودَ.

One of David’s features was keeping on with prayer in a way God in the holy Quran said: Remember our servant Dawud, the possessor of power (in prayer), and he was frequent in returning to Allah, meaning he repented to God and Praised Him and was obedient to him. He used to fast a day and break it another. He fasted days and rose up for prayer at nights.

It is said that Prophet David divided the hours of day and night among his children. Therefore, there was no single day in which one of them was not fasting, and there was no single hour in which one of them was not praying. For this reason, God said: O family of Dawud! Offer your thanks to God.

يُقَالُ: إِنَّ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ جَزّأَ سَاعاتِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ عَلى أَهْلِهِ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ سَاعَةٌ إِلا وَإِنْسَانٌ مِنْ أَوْلادِهِ في الصَّلاةِ فَقَالَ تَعالى: (اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا)

Prayer For Removing People’s Afflictions

It is said that at the time of Prophet David, people were afflicted with plague and massive death. Going to Baytul-Moqaddas with people, he saw angels were ascending to heavens from there. For this reason, he chose that place as prayer site. Reaching the rock, he started praying invoking god to remove the plague. God granted his prayer and plague was removed from people.

قِيلَ: أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِي زَمَانِ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ طَاعُونٌ جَازِفٌ، فَخَرَجَ بِهِمْ إِلى مَوْضِعِ بَيْتِ المُقَدَّسِ وَكَانَ يَرى الْمَلائِكَةَ تَعْرُجُ مِنْهُ إِلى السَّمَاءِ فَلِهَذا قَصَدَهُ لِيَدْعُوا فِيهِ وَقَفَ مَوْضِعَ الصَّخْرَةِ دَعا اللَّهَ تَعَالى في كَشْفِ الطّاعُونِ عَنْهُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ وَرَفَعَ الطّاعُونَ.

Weaver Of Basket

Prophet David used to weave baskets from fibers of date-palms with his own hands saying to his companions: Which one of you will help me with selling them? From price, he would buy only one loaf of oat bread.

فَلَقَدْ كَانَ يَعْمَلُ سَفَائِفَ الْخَوْصِ بِيَدِهِ وَيَقُولُ لِجُلَسَائِهِ: أَيُّكُمْ يَكْفِيني بَيْعَها؟ وَيَأْكُلُ قُرْصَ الشَّعِيرِ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا.

His Advice To Solomon

Quoting his father, Imam Sadeq has reported that Prophet David said to Solomon: O my son! Avoid laughing too much, for laughing too much will leave man humiliated and needy on the Day of Judgment. Keep silent unless you say something good. Truly regret over long silence is better than regret over too much talk. O my son! Speaking is like silver, silence is like gold.

Helping A Bachelor To Get Married

Imam Baqer reported that one day a youth clothed in rags was sitting with Prophet David. The meeting lasted for some time and the young man kept silent. At this time, the angel of death entered the place, saluted and cast a sharp look at the young man. Prophet David asked him the reason. The angel of death said: I have the mission to take his soul in this place seven days from now. Looking at him, Prophet David said: Are you married? He said: Not yet. David said: Go to such and such man who is one of the dignified men of Bani-Israel and tell him Dawud has ordered you to give your daughter in marriage to me. Marry her the same night and take whatever you need from us. Stay with your wife for a week and then come to us.

The young man did his mission. The man gave his daughter to the young man in marriage. The wedding took place and he came to David after seven days. Prophet David said: How did you find it? The young man said: I had never enjoyed such a blessing and favor. David said: Take a seat. The young man sat down. David was waiting for the death of angel to come to take the young man’s soul but he did not come. David said: Go to your wife and come on the eighth day. The young man went home and came back on the right time. This happened for three times and when finally the death angel came, David said you had said you would take the soul of this young man after a week, but so far 24 days have passed but you have not done so! He said: O Dawud! God has delayed his death for thirty years due to your mercy.

عَنْ جَعْفَر بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَنَّ دَاوُودَ(ع) قَالَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ: يَا بُنَيَّ إِيّاكَ وَكَثْرَةَ الضِّحْكِ، فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الضِّحْكِ تَتْرُكُ الْعَبْدَ حَقِيرًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، يَا بُنَيَّ عَلَيْكَ بِطُولِ الصَّمْتِ إِلا مِنْ خَيْرٍ، فَإِنَّ النَّدامَةَ عَلى طُولِ الصَّمْتِ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّدَامَةِ عَلى كَثْرَةِ الْكَلامِ مَرّاتٍ يَا بُنَيَّ لَوْ أَنَّ الْكَلامَ كَانَ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ كَانَ يَنْبَغي لِلصَّمْتِ أَنَّ يَكُونَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ.

عَنْ أَبى جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: بَيْنا دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ جَالِسٌ وَعِنْدَهُ شَابٌّ رَثَّ الْهَيْئَةِ يَكْثُرُ الْجُلُوسَ عِنْدَهُ وَيُطِيلُ إِذْ أَتاهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ وَاحَدَّ مَلَكُ الْمَوتِ النَّظَرَ إِلى الشّابِّ فَقَالَ دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ نَظَرْتَ إِلى هَذا؟!

فَقَالَ: نَعَمْ، إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ بِقَبْضِ رُوحِهِ إِلى سَبْعَةِ أَيّامٍ في هَذا الْمَوْضِعِ فَرَحِمَهُ دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَقَالَ: يَا شَابُّ هَلْ لَكَ امْرأَةٌ؟ قَالَ: لا وَما تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ.

قَالَ دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: فَأَتِ فُلانًا، رَجُلا كَانَ عَظِيمُ الْقَدْرِ في بَنِي إِسْرائيلَ فَقُلْ لَهُ: إِنَّ دَاوُودَ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُزَوِّجَنِي ابْنَتَكَ وَتُدْخِلْهَا اللَّيْلَةَ وَخُذْ مِنَ النَّفَقَةِ مَا تَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَكُنْ عِنْدَهَا، فَإِذَا مُضِيَتْ سَبْعَةُ أَيّامٍ فَوافِنِي في هَذا الْمَوْضِعِ.

فَمَضى الشَّابُّ بِرِسَالَةِ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَزَوَّجَهُ الرَّجُلُ ابْنَتَهُ وَأَدْخَلوا عَلَيْهِ وَأَقَامَ عِنْدَهَا سَبْعَةَ أَيّامٍ، ثُمَّ وَافى دَاوُودَ يَوْمَ الثَّامِنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: يَا شَابُّ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ مَا كُنْتَ فِيهِ؟ قَالَ: مَا كُنْتُ في نِعْمَةٍ وَلا سُرُورٍ قَطُّ أَعْظَمُ مِمّا كُنْتُ فِيهِ.

قَالَ دَاوُودُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: اجْلِسْ فَجَلَسَ وَدَاوُودُ يَنْتَظِرُ أَنْ يُقْبَضَ رُوحَهُ، فَلَمّا طَالَ قَالَ: انْصَرِفْ إِلى مَنْزِلِكَ فَكُنْ مَعَ أَهْلِكَ، فَإِذا كَانَ يَوْمُ الثّامِنِ فَوَافِني هَهُنا، فَمَضى الشَّابُّ ثُمَّ وَافَاهُ يَوْمَ الثَّامِنِ وَجَلَسَ عِنْدَهُ، ثُمَّ أَنْصَرَفَ أُسْبُوعًا آخَر ثُمَّ أَتاهُ وَجَلَسَ.

فَجَاءَ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتَ إِلى دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، فَقَالَ دَاوُودُ: أَلَسْتَ حَدَّثْتَنِي بِأَنَّكَ أُمِرْتَ بِقَبْضِ رُوحِ هَذا الشّابِّ إِلى سَبْعَةِ أَيّامٍ؟ قَالَ: بَلى، فَقَالَ: فَقَدْ مَضَتْ ثَمَانِيةٌ وَثَمانِيَةٌ وَثَمَانِيَةٌ، قَالَ: يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالى رَحِمَهُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ لَهُ فَأَخَّرَ في أَجَلِهِ ثَلاثِينَ سَنَةً.

His Moral Advice

Prophet David said to the children of Israel: Gather together, for I have a few words with you. People gathered near his house. David came out saying: O children of Israel! Take care that nothing but pure enters your bodies and nothing but pure comes out of your mouths.

دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ لِبَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ: اجْتَمِعُوا فَإِنّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُومَ(أَقول) فِيكُمْ بِكَلِمَتَيْنِ، فَاجْتَمَعُوا عَلى بَابِهِ، فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْهِم، فَقَالَ: يَا بَني إِسْرائِيلَ لا يُدْخَلُ أَجْوَافَكُمْ إِلا طَيِّبُ وَلا يُخْرَجُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِكُمْ إِلا طَيِّبٌ.

His Grief Over His Son’s Death

It is reported that when one of David’s son’s passed away, he was strongly grief-stricken. He was asked: What do you think is equal to your son? He said: A world filled with gold. It was said to him: You will have the same extent of reward.

قِيلَ: تَوَفّى لِدَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَلَدٌ فَحَزَنَ عَلَيْهِ حُزْنًا شَدِيدًا، فَقيلَ لَهُ: مَا عِدْلُهُ عِنْدَكَ؟ قَالَ: مِلْءُ الأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا، قِيلَ لَهُ: فَإِنَّ لَكَ مِنَ الأَجْرِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

His Courage

One of David’s features was his being strong in a way that he never ran away whenever he was challenged.

وَمِنْ خَصَائِصِ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ الْقُوَّةُ في الْعِبادَةِ وَشِدَّةَ الاجْتِهادِ كَما قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعالى، [وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنا دَاوُودَ ذَا الأَيْدِ] يَعْنِي الْقُوَّةُ في الْعِبَادَةِ إِنَّهُ أَوّابٌ أَيْ تَوّابٌ مُسَبِّحٌ مُطِيعٌ وَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيَفْطُرُ يَوْمًا يَصُومُ النَّهارَ وَيَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَمَا مَرَّتْ بِهِ سَاعَةٌ مِنَ اللَّيْلُ إِلا وَفِيها مِنْ آلِ دَاوُودَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلّي وَلا يَوْمٌ مِنَ الأَيّامِ إِلا وَفِيهِ مِنْهُمْ صَائِمٌ.

وَ مِنْ خَصَائِصِ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: أَنَّهُ شَديدُ الْبَطْشِ، فَيُرْوى أَنَّهُ مَا فَرَّ وَلا انْحازَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ لَهُ قَطُّ.

His Discipline

Prophet David divided his days into four parts: a day to enjoy his women in private, a day to worship his Lord, a day to meet the demands of Muslims (those who submit to God’s will), and a day for the children of Israel to entertain them with questions and answers.

إِنَّ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ جَزَأَ الدَّهْرُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَجْزَاءً يَوْمًا لِنِسَائِهِ وَيَوْمًا لِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ وَيَوْمًا لِقَضَاءِ حَوائِجِ الْمُسْلِمينَ وَيَوْمًا لِبَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ يُذَاكِرُهُمْ وَيُذَاكِرُونَهُ يَسْأَلُهُمْ وَيَسْأَلُونَهُ.

His Recommendations

David appointed Solomon as his successor. David said: O my son! Avoid making jests, for there is little benefit in it increases enmity among brethren. Keep away from wrath, for it will bring disrespect for man. Incumbent on you is piety and fear of God, for these two will overcome everything. Avoid too much zeal of your family, for it will lead to suspicion. Stop expecting from people, for doing so is the same as independence.

Keep away from avarice, for avarice is the same as need. Never say anything for which you have to apologize later on. Get used to truthfulness. Be committed to good and let your act be better today than yesterday. Perform your prayer as if your last. Do not associate with the fools. Have no debate with a scholar on religion. Whenever you get angry, change your place and set your hope in Allah’s Mercy, for it will encompass all things.

لَمّا اسْتَخْلَفَ دَاوُودَ ابْنَهُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَلَيْهِما السَّلامُ وَعَظَهُ فَقَالَ: يَا بُنَيَّ إِيّاكَ وَالْهَزْلَ فَإِنَّ نَفْعُهُ قَلِيلٌ وَيُهَيِّجُ الْعَدَاوَةَ بَيْنَ الإِخْوَانِ، وَإِيّاكَ وَالْغَضَبَ فَإِنَّ الْغَضَبَ يَسْتَخِفُّ بِصَاحِبِهِ، وَعَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوى اللَّهِ وَطَاعَتِهِ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَغْلِيانِ كُلَّ شَيءٍ وَإِيَّاكَ وَكَثْرَةَ الْغَيْرَةِ عَلى أَهْلِك مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيءٍ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُورِثُ سُوءَ الظَّنِّ بِالنَّاسِ وَإِنْ كَانُوا بُرَآء اقْطَعْ طَمَعَكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْغَني، وَإِيّاكَ وَالطَّمَعَ فَإِنَّهُ الفَقْرُ الْحَاضِرُ، وَإِيّاكَ وَمَا يَعْتَذِرُ مِنْهُ مِنْ الْقَوْلِ وَالْفِعْلِ، وَعَوِّدْ نَفْسَكَ وَلِسَانِكَ الصِّدْقَ وَالْزَم الإِحْسَانَ، فَإِنْ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَوْمَكَ خَيْرًا مِنْ أَمْسِكَ فَافْعَلْ، وَصَلِّ صَلاةَ مُوَدِّعٍ وَلا تُجَالِسِ السُّفَهَاءَ وَلا تَرُدَّ عَلى عَالِمٍ وَلا تُمَارِهِ في الدّينِ، وَإِذَا غَضِبْتَ فَالْصقْ نَفْسَكَ بِالأَرْضِ وَتَحَوَّلْ مِنْ مَكَانَكَ وَارْجُ رَحْمَةَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيءٍ.

David’s Maxims

Be a kind father to an orphan and know that you will reap what you have sown.

كُنْ لِلْيَتِيمِ كَالأَبِ الرَّحِيمِ، وَاعْلَمْ إِنَّكَ كَما تَزْرَعُ كَذَلِكَ تَحْصُدُ.

O Sinner! You will only reap the thorns and thistle of your sins.

يَا زَارِعَ السَّيِّئاتِ أَنْتَ تَحْصُدُ شَوْكَها وَحَسَكِهَا.

Meeting The Death Angel

The holy Prophet said: David was extremely zealous. He would lock all the doors when leaving home. Hence no one entered his house till he would come back. One day when he had left home, and doors were locked, his wife saw a man in the middle of house. So she asked those who were in the house: How has this man entered the house while all doors are locked?

They said: By Allah, we will be disgraced before David. When David entered his house, he saw a man in the middle of the house. Who are you? asked David. He said: I am the one who has no fear of kings nor is there any veil before me. David said: By Allah, you are the angel of death. How excellent is God’s order. Then he paused a little till his soul was taken away.

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلهِ قَالَ: كَانَ دَاوُودَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِيهِ غَيْرَةً شَدِيدَةً فَكَانَ إِذَا خَرَجَ أَغْلَقَ الأَبْوابَ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ عَلى أَهْلِهِ أَحَدٌ حَتّى يَرْجِعَ قَالَ: فَخَرَجَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَغَلَّقَتِ الدَّارَ فَأَقْبَلَتْ امْرَأَتُهُ تَطّلِعُ إِلى الدّارِ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ قَائِمٌ وَسَطَ الدّارِ، فَقَالَتْ لِمَنْ في الْبَيْتِ: مِنْ أَيْنَ دَخَلَ هذا الرَّجُلُ وَالدّارُ مُغْلَقَةٌ؟ وَاللَّهِ لَنَفْتَضِحَنَّ بِداوُودَ فَجَاءَ دَاوُودَ فَإِذَا الرَّجُلُ قَائِمٌ في وَسَطِ الدَّارِ، فَقَالَ لَهُ دَاوُودَ مَنْ أَنْتَ؟ فَقَالَ: أَنَا الَّذِي لا أَهَابُ الْمُلُوكَ وَلا أُمْنَعُ مِنْ الْحِجَابِ فَقَالَ دَاوُودُ: أَنْتَ وَاللَّهِ إِذَنْ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ، مَرْحَبًا بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ حَتّى قُبِضَتْ رُوحَهُ.