View source for David in Islam

{{Short description|Islamic view of David}}
{{Infobox
| name             = Infobox/Quranic character
| bodystyle        = 
| titlestyle       = 
| abovestyle       = background: #cfc;
| subheaderstyle   = 
| title            = [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Prophet]]
| above            = Dāwūd Alaihissalam
| subheader        = {{lang|ar|دَاوُود}}
| subheader2       = {{langx|he|דָּוִד|Dāwīḏ}} <br/>{{langx|syr|ܕܘܝܕ|Dawīd}}<br/>[[Koine Greek|Koine]] {{langx|el|Δαυίδ|Dauíd}}
| imagestyle       = 
| captionstyle     = 
| image            = [[File:Spencer Coll. Persian MS. 46 fol 113v Davud slingshot.jpg|300px]]
| caption          = Dawud defeating the army of Jalut with his slingshot.
| headerstyle      = background: #cbe;
| labelstyle       = background: #ddf;
| datastyle        = 
| header1          = Khalifa{{efn|Viceroy or viceregent;<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2002.02.0006%3Asura%3D38%3Averse%3D26 QS 38:26]</ref> see [[Caliphate#Qur'an]]}} of Earth<br>King of the [[Israelites]]<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2002.02.0006%3Asura%3D2%3Averse%3D251  QS 2:251]</ref>
| header2          = Biography
| label3           = Born
| data3            = 10th century BCE<br>[[Jerusalem]], [[Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy)|Kingdom of Israel]]
| header3          = 
| label4           = Died
| data4            = 9th century BCE<br>Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
| header4          = 
| label5           = Disappeared
| data5            = 
| header5          = 
| label6           = Spouse
| data6            = unknown
| header6          = 
| label7           = Partner
| data7            = 
| header7          = 
| label8           = Children
| data8            = [[Solomon in Islam|Sulaymān]]
| header8          = 
| label9           = Parents
| data9            = 
| header9          = 
| label10          = Burial
| data10           = 
| header10         = Quranic narratives
| label12          = Mention by name
| data12           = Yes
| header12         = 
| label13          = ''[[Surah]]'' ([[List of chapters in the Quran|Chapters]])
| data13           = [[Al-Baqara|2]], [[An-Nisa|4]], [[Al-Ma'idah|5]], [[Al-An'am|6]], [[Al-Isra'|17]], [[Al-Anbiya|21]], [[An-Naml|27]], [[Saba (surah)|34]], [[Ṣād (surah)|38]]
| header13         = 
| label14          = ''[[Āyah|Āyāt]]''
| data14           = {{Collapsible list
| bullets = on
| title = {{nobold|'''verse:'''}}
| 2:251
| 4:163
| 5:78
| 6:84
| 17:55
| 21:78–79
| 34:10–11
| 34:13
| 38:17–29
| 38:30
}}
| header14         = 
| label15          = ''Tafsir''
| data15           = 
| header15         = 
| label16          = Number of mentions
| data16           = 16
| header16         = 
| label17          = First person
| data17           = 
| header17         = 
| label18          = Second person
| data18           = 
| header18         = 
| label19          = Third person
| data19           = 
| header19         = 
| label20          = Other narrative sources
| data20           = 
| header20         = Prophethood
| label21          = Other narrations
| data21           = 
| header21         = 
| label22          = Known for
| data22           = Defeating [[Goliath|Jalut]]; being the Khalifa (Viceroy) on Earth (Al-Arḍ, الأَرْض), and the Wise King of ''Banī Isrāʾīl''; receiving the [[Zabur]]; prophesying to and warning Israel; being highly gifted musically and vocally
| header22         = 
| label23          = Scripture
| data23           = [[Zabur]]
| header23         = 
| label24          = Predecessor
| data24           = [[Talut]]
| header24         = 
| label25          = Successor
| data25           = Sulayman
| header25         = 
| label26          = Status
| data26           = Prophet, Viceroy, Sovereign, Wise judge, Holy scripture receiver
| header26         = 
| label27          = Other equivalent
| data27           = [[David]]
| belowstyle       = background: #ddf;
| below            = Footnotes
}}
{{Islamic prophets|Prophets in the Quran}}

'''Dāwūd''', or '''David''', is considered a prophet and messenger of [[Allah]] (God) in Islam, as well as a righteous, divinely anointed king of the United Kingdom of Israel. Additionally, Muslims also revere David for receiving the divine revelation of the Zabur. 

Dawud is considered one of the most important people in Islam. <ref name="Hasson 2006">{{cite encyclopedia |author-last=Hasson |author-first=Isaac |year=2006 |title=David |editor-last=McAuliffe |editor-first=Jane Dammen |editor-link=Jane Dammen McAuliffe |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān]] |volume=I |location=[[Leiden]] |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |doi=10.1163/1875-3922_q3_EQCOM_00047 |isbn=90-04-14743-8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Quran|4|163|style=nosup}}; {{Cite Quran|17|55|expand=no|style=nosup}}.</ref> Mentioned sixteen times in the [[Quran]], David appears in the Islamic scripture as a link in the chain of prophets who preceded [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]].<ref>{{Cite Quran|4|163|style=nosup}}; {{Cite Quran|6|84|expand=no|style=nosup}}.</ref> Although he is not usually considered one of the "law-giving" prophets (''[[Ulul-‘Azm|ulū al-ʿazm]]''), "he is far from a marginal figure"{{According to whom|date=January 2024}} in Islamic thought.<ref name="Hasson 2006" /> In later Islamic traditions, he is praised for his rigor in [[salah|prayer]] and [[Fasting in Islam|fasting]]. He is also presented as the prototypical just ruler and as a symbol of God's authority on earth, having been at once a king and a prophet.

David is particularly important to the religious architecture of [[Jerusalem in Islam|Islamic Jerusalem]].<ref name="Reynolds 2012">{{cite encyclopedia |year=2012 |title=David |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam 3|Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE]] |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |location=[[Leiden]] |author-link=Gabriel Said Reynolds |editor1-last=Fleet |editor1-first=Kate |volume=3 |doi=10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_25921 |isbn=978-90-04-22545-9 |issn=1873-9830 |editor5-first=Everett |author-last=Reynolds |editor5-last=Rowson |editor4-first=John |editor4-last=Nawas |author-first=Gabriel Said |editor3-last=Matringe |editor2-link=Gudrun Krämer |editor2-first=Gudrun |editor2-last=Krämer |editor3-first=Denis}}</ref> Dawud is known as [[biblical]] '''[[David]]''' who was, according to the [[Hebrew Bible]], the second king of the [[Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy)|United Kingdom of Israel and Judah]], reigning {{circa|1010}}–970 BCE.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

== Name ==
The [[Quranic Arabic]] form of David is ''Dāwud'' or ''Dāwūd'', differing from [[Koine Greek|Koine]] {{langx|el|Δαυίδ}} and {{langx|syr|ܕܘܝܕ|Dawīd}} (which follow {{langx|he|דָּוִד|Dāwīd}}). These forms appear in the Quran sixteen times.<ref name="Reynolds 2012"/>

== Narrative in the Quran ==
David's narrative in the [[Quran]], in many respects, [[Biblical and Quranic narratives|parallels that given in the Bible]]. He is named a [[Prophets in Islam|prophet]] (''nabī'') and also a messenger (''rasūl''), David is included in lists of those who received [[revelation in Islam|revelation]] (''waḥy''; [[Q4:163]]) or guidance (''hudā''; {{Cite Quran|6|84|expand=no|style=nosup}}) from God. In both lists his name appears next to that of his son [[Solomon in Islam|Solomon]]. Elsewhere, the Quran explains that God gave to both of them the gifts of "sound judgment" (''ḥukm''; {{Cite Quran|21|79|expand=no|style=nosup}}) and "knowledge" (''ʿilm''; {{Cite Quran|21|79|expand=no|style=nosup}}; {{Cite Quran|27|15|expand=no|style=nosup}}). Yet the Quran also ascribes to David merits that distinguish him from Solomon: David killed [[Goliath]] ({{Cite Quran|2|251|expand=no|style=nosup}}) and received a divine revelation named "the [[Psalms]]"<ref name="Reynolds 2020">{{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Gabriel Said |author-link=Gabriel Said Reynolds |year=2020 |chapter=The Qur’an's Relationship to the Bible |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxHPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA36 |title=Allah: God in the Qurʾān |location=[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] and [[London]] |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |pages=36–37 |doi=10.2307/j.ctvxkn7q4 |isbn=978-0-300-24658-2 |jstor=j.ctvxkn7q4 |lccn=2019947014 |s2cid=226129509}}</ref> ({{Cite Quran|17|55|style=nosup}} uses an indefinite form, while {{Cite Quran|21|105|expand=no|style=nosup}} uses the definite form ''al-Zabūr''),<ref name="Reynolds 2020"/> presumably a reference to the Psalms or the Psalter (the term ''Zabūr'' is perhaps related to the [[Hebrew]] term ''mizmōr'' or [[Syriac language|Syriac]] ''mazmūrā'', "psalm"). The mountains and the birds praised God along with David ({{Cite Quran|21|79|expand=no|style=nosup}}; in {{Cite Quran|34|10|expand=no|style=nosup}} God commands them to do so; cfr. [[Book of Psalms|Psalm]] {{bibleverse-nb||Psalm|148:7–10|HE}}). God made David a "vicegerent" (''khalīfa''; {{Cite Quran|38|26|expand=no|style=nosup}}), a title that the Quran otherwise gives only to [[Adam in Islam|Adam]] ({{Cite Quran|2|30|expand=no|style=nosup}}). This title suggests that, according to the Quran, David was something more than a messenger: he was a divinely guided leader who established God's rule on Earth.<ref name="Reynolds 2012"/> This role is also suggested by {{Cite Quran|2|251|expand=no|style=nosup}}: "God gave him authority (''mulk'') and wisdom (''ḥikmah'') and taught him what He willed. If God did not drive back some people by others, the earth would become corrupt."<ref name="Hasson 2006"/>

Among the things taught to David was the ability to make armour ({{Cite Quran|21|80|expand=no|style=nosup}}, {{Cite Quran|34|10–11|expand=no|style=nosup}}), a suggestion that David's military exploits were the act of God. It is also important that the Quranic reference to David's "wisdom" was sometimes explained by the classical exegetes as the gift of prophecy.<ref>e.g. Ṭabarī, ''Taʾrīkh'', i, 559</ref> The Quran also connects David and Jesus, by insisting that both cursed Jews against their prophecy who did not believe ({{Cite Quran|5|78|expand=no|style=nosup}}). Moreover, according to the Quran, David was given the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood when dispensing justice (''faṣl al-khiṭāb'', {{Cite Quran|38|20|expand=no|style=nosup}}). Furthermore, there is the allusion to a test David was put through, wherein he prayed and repented and God forgave him ({{Cite Quran|38|24-5|expand=no|style=nosup}}). [[Surat Sad]] (the 38th chapter of the Quran) is also called "the sūra of David"<ref>Hibat Allāh b. Salāma, ''al-Nāsikh wa-l-mansūkh'' (in the margin of Wāḥidī, ''Asbāb''), Cairo 1316/1898-9, 262</ref> Exegetes explain that since David prostrated when asking God to forgive him, Muhammad was ordered to imitate him and to perform a prostration when reading this chapter.<ref>Bukhārī, ''Ṣaḥīḥ'', vi, 155</ref>

== Religious significance ==
David is one of the few Islamic Prophets who received Kingship as well. While other prophets preached during the reign of kings, David, in his time, was the king. Thus, he received an extremely large task, of making sure that the people of [[Israel (region)|Israel]] were not only held in check spiritually but that the country itself remained strong as well. His place as both leader and prophet is revered by all Muslims as one of extremely high rank. The figure of David, together with that of his prophetic son, Solomon, are iconic of people who ruled justly over their land. God frequently mentions David's high rank as a prophet and messenger in the Quran. He is often mentioned alongside other prophets to emphasize how great he was. For example, God says:
{{Blockquote|And We gave him Isaac and Jacob and guided them, as We had guided Noah before them, and of his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus We reward those who are upright and do good.|[[Quran 6:84]]<ref>{{cite quran|6|84|s=ns}}</ref>}}

When the [[Rashidun Caliphate|Caliph]] '[[Umar]] visited [[Jerusalem]], the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|Patriarch]] [[Sophronius of Jerusalem|Sophronius]] accompanied him on the [[Temple Mount]], while he searched for the ''Mihrab Dawud'' (''David's prayer-niche'') to perform a prayer. Later commentators identified this site with the [[Tower of David]]. In a ''[[hadith]]'', the prayer and fasting of David is mentioned to be dear to God.

{{blockquote|Narrated Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As: The Apostle of Allah told me, "The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and used to fast on alternate days."|Muhammad al-Bukhari|''[[Sahih al-Bukhari]]''<ref>{{Hadith-usc|bukhari|usc=yes|2|21|231}}</ref>}}

=== The Book of David ===
{{main|Zabur}}

The ''Zabur'' is the holy book attributed to David by God, just as [[Moses in Islam|Musa]] ([[Moses]]) received the [[Torah in Islam|Tawrat]] ([[Torah]]), [[Jesus in Islam|Isa]] ([[Jesus]]) received the [[Gospel in Islam|Injil]] ([[Gospel]]) and Muhammad received the Quran. In the Bible, the ''Zabur'' is known as the Psalms.

{{Blockquote|Your Lord knows whoever is in the heavens and the earth. We exalted some of the prophets over the others; and to David We gave the Book of Psalms.|[[Quran 17:55]]<ref>{{cite quran|17|55|s=ns}}</ref>}}

== Bibliography ==

=== Primary ===
* ʿAbdallāh b. al-Mubārak, ''Kitāb al-Zuhd'', ed. Ḥ.R. al-Aʿẓamī, Beirut n.d., 161-4
* Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, ''al-Zuhd'', Cairo 1987, 111–2, 114, 134
* R.G. Khoury, ''Wahb b. Munabbih (Codices arabici antiqui i)'', Wiesbaden 1972 (with bibliography)
* id., ''Les légendes prophétiques dans l'Islam depuis le Ier jusqu'au IIIe siècle de l'hégire (Codices arabici antiqui iii)'', Wiesbaden 1978, 157-74
* Hibat Allāh b. Salāma, ''[[al-Nāsikh wa-l-mansūkh]]'' (in the margin of Wāḥidī, ''Asbāb''), Cairo 1316/1898-9, 262
* Ibn Qudāma al-Maqdisī, ''Kitāb al-Tawwābīn'', ed. ʿA.Q. Arnāʾūṭ, Beirut 1974
* Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', Beirut 1983, xiv, 1-64; lxxiv, 39-44
* Muqātil, ''Tafsīr'', i, 423; ii, 87–8, 639–43; iii, 87–8, 298–9, 525-6
* Sibṭ Ibn al-Jawzī, ''Mirʾāt'', i, 472-92
* Suyūṭī, ''Durr'', vii, 148-76
* Ṭabarī, ''Tafsīr'', v, 360-76
* Ṭabarsī, ''Majmaʿ''

=== Secondary ===
* A. Geiger, ''Judaism and Islam'', Madras 1898, 144-5
* E. Margoliouth, ''The convicted in the Bible, cleared from guilt in the Talmud and Midrash (Hebrew)'', London 1949, 60-7
* F.A. Mojtabāʾī, ''Dāwūd'', in Encyclopædia Iranica, vii, 161-2
* R. Paret, ''Dāwūd'', in ei2, ii, 182
* Y. Zakovitch, ''David. From shepherd to Messiah (Hebrew)'', Jerusalem 1995 (see especially Annex A by A. Shinʾan, 181–99)

== See also ==
* ''[[Al-Arḍ Al-Muqaddasah]]'' ("The Holy Land")
* [[Biblical and Quranic narratives]]
* [[Legends and the Quran]]
* ''[[Qisas Al-Anbiya]]ʾ'' ("Stories of The Prophets")
* [[Liwa Dawud]], [[Syria]]n rebel group named after David

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}

{{Prophets in the Quran}}
{{Quranic people}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cultural depictions of David]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible prophets of the Quran]]