and then slept for the remaining sixth. He fasted every other day, and whenever he faced the enemy the spectators witnessed a courage that filled them with awe.

Allah made iron supple for him and taught him how to craft protective armour. He was the first to produce interlinked coats of mail whose rings provided reliable protection while remaining light to carry.

Allah reproved him for a slip by sending two angels in the form of litigants. They entered his private sanctuary while he was worshipping, and he was alarmed, for they had scaled the chamber and come at a time when no one ordinarily entered. They said, “Do not be afraid; we are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other. Judge between us with justice, do not exceed the bounds, and guide us to the straight path” (Sad 22).

One of them set out the case: “This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes, whereas I have but one. Yet he says, ‘Entrust her to me,’ and he bested me in argument” (Sad 23). The “ewe” here is a metaphor for a woman. David replied, “He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his own. Indeed, many partners transgress against one another—except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and how few they are” (Sad 24).

David realised that the parable referred to him; he perceived that We had tested him, so he sought his Lord’s forgiveness, fell down bowing, and turned in repentance. “So We forgave him that; and indeed for him with Us is nearness and a goodly return” (Sad 24-25).

Thus Allah blotted out the sin, and after his repentance David became even better than before, attaining great closeness to his Lord and an excellent outcome. It was then said to him: “O David, We have made you a vicegerent on earth; so judge between people with truth and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead you astray from the path of Allah …” (Sad 26).

As for Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both, Allah granted him prophethood, and he inherited from his father his knowledge, prophethood, and sovereignty. Allah then increased his dominion to a degree that no one before or after him would attain.

Allah subjected the wind to him: it blew gently at his command wherever he wished—its morning course equal to a month’s journey and its evening course the same (Saba 12).