Who was Prophet Dawud? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   The defeat of Jalut

   While Dawud (peace be upon him) was still young, he joined the battle against Jalut (Goliath), the giant and powerful enemy of his people. The believers, though few in number, put their trust in Allah, and Dawud defeated Jalut.

   The Quran recalls this event thus: "They defeated them by permission of Allah, and Dawud killed Jalut, and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom" (Al-Baqarah, 251). This is an example of a small but faithful group achieving victory with Allah's help.

2. 2

   Kingship and the giving of the Zabur

   Allah granted Dawud (peace be upon him) strength and kingship on earth. This was a responsibility given alongside his prophethood.

   Allah also gave him the book of the Zabur: "And to Dawud We gave the Zabur" (An-Nisa, 163). The Zabur was a book full of Allah's praise, remembrance and supplication. Dawud recited these verses with such a beautiful voice that all creation joined him.

3. 3

   The glorification of the mountains and the softening of iron

   Allah gave Dawud (peace be upon him) astonishing blessings. The mountains and birds glorified Allah together with him: "We made the mountains and the birds glorify Us along with Dawud" (Al-Anbya, 79).

   Allah also made iron soft for him and taught him to make armor: "We made iron soft for him, saying: make full coats of mail and measure the links well" (Saba, 10-11). Dawud was a Prophet who earned his living by the work of his own hands.

4. 4

   Just judgment and abundant worship

   Dawud (peace be upon him) was a judge who ruled among people with justice. Allah had granted him an understanding that distinguished right from wrong.

   He was also a Prophet who worshipped much, fasted, and turned constantly (awwab) to Allah (Sad, 17). Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) held up his worship as an example, stating that fasting one day and not fasting the next, the fast of Dawud, is the most virtuous fast.

Dawud (peace be upon him) is mentioned in several surahs of the Quran. His defeat of Jalut is narrated in Surah Al-Baqarah (251), the giving of the Zabur to him in Surah An-Nisa (163), and the glorification of the mountains and the softening of iron in Surah Al-Anbya (79) and Surah Saba (10-11). Surah Sad highlights his worship and just rule. The Quran presents him as a figure of both power and kingship, and of humility and worship.

• Power and kingship are a trust from Allah; the true ruler is the one who judges with justice.
• A small but faithful group can achieve victory with Allah's help.
• Along with the blessings He gives, Allah loves servants who worship abundantly.
• Earning one's living by the work of one's own hands is part of a Prophet's character.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 251

  Dawud's (peace be upon him) killing of Jalut and his being given kingship and wisdom appear in this verse.

• QuranSurah Saba, 10

  This verse states that the mountains and birds glorified Allah with Dawud and that iron was made soft for him.

• QuranSurah Al-Anbya, 79

  This verse narrates that the mountains and birds glorified Allah together with Dawud (peace be upon him).

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 1131

  This hadith records our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of Dawud (peace be upon him); he would fast one day and not fast the next."

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Dâvûd"

  Referenced for scholarly information about Prophet Dawud's kingship, the Zabur, and his worship.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Sulayman

  The Prophet-king who understood the speech of birds and jinn

• Prophet Musa

  The Prophet who stood against Pharaoh and received the Torah (Kalimullah)

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Dawud?

  Dawud (peace be upon him) was both a Prophet and a just ruler. Allah gave him the book of the Zabur, kingship and wisdom; the mountains and birds glorified Allah together with him.

• Which book was given to Prophet Dawud?

  Dawud (peace be upon him) was given the book of the Zabur (An-Nisa, 163). He recited its remembrance and supplications with a very beautiful voice.

• How did Prophet Dawud defeat Jalut?

  While still young, he put his trust in Allah and fought the giant Jalut (Goliath), and killed him. After this Allah gave him kingship and wisdom (Al-Baqarah, 251).

• What is the fast of Prophet Dawud?

  The fast of Dawud (peace be upon him) is fasting one day and not fasting the next. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended it as the most virtuous fast.