It is also reported from al-Sha‘bi that “decisive speech” means a person’s saying, after praising and extolling Allah, “amma ba‘d (to proceed),” when he wishes to begin another subject. David, peace be upon him, was the first to say it. (1)

“Has the story of the litigants reached you, when they scaled the wall of the prayer chamber?” (21)

The words of the Exalted: “Has the story of the litigants reached you, when they scaled the wall of the prayer chamber?” (2) This verse concerns the trial of David, peace be upon him. Scholars differed regarding the cause of this trial in the reports they related about the prophets, peace be upon them.

One group said that, one day, David, peace be upon him, wished for the rank of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and asked his Lord to test him as He had tested them and to grant him a bounty like that which He had granted them.

Al-Suddi, al-Kalbi, and Muqatil narrated from their shaykhs—their accounts having been interwoven—the following: David had divided his time into three days: one day in which he judged between people, one day in which he secluded himself to worship his Lord, and one day for his wives and other affairs. In the scriptures he read, he found mention of the excellence of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He said, “My Lord, I see that all goodness has been attained by my forefathers who came before me.”

Allah then revealed to him: “They were tested with afflictions with which you have not been tested, and they remained patient through them. Abraham was tested by Nimrod and by the command to sacrifice his son; Isaac (3) was tested by the sacrifice and by the loss of his sight; and Jacob was tested by grief over Joseph.” David said, “My Lord, if You tested me as You tested them, I too would remain patient.” Allah then revealed to him, “You will be tested in such-and-such a month and on such-and-such a day, so be on your guard.”

When the day Allah had appointed for him came, David entered his prayer chamber, closed its door, and began to pray and recite the Psalms. While he was thus engaged, Satan came to him in the form of a golden dove, adorned with every beautiful color. It was also said that its wings were of pearls and chrysolite. It landed between his feet, and its beauty pleased him. He reached out to take it and show it to the Children of Israel, so that they might behold the power of Allah the Exalted. But when he intended to seize it, it flew only a short distance away, without making him despair of catching it. He reached out again to take it, but it moved aside, so he followed it until it flew and landed in an opening. He went to take it, but it flew out through the opening. David looked to see where it would land, so that he could send someone to catch it. Then he saw a woman bathing in a garden beside the bank of her pool. This is the account of al-Kalbi. (4)

Al-Suddi said: He saw her bathing on the roof of her house, and he saw a woman who was among the most beautiful of women in form. David was struck by her beauty. She happened to turn and saw his shadow, so she loosened her hair, and it covered her body. This only increased his admiration for her. He asked about her and was told, “She is Tayshayi, daughter of Shayi, the wife of Uriah son of Hanana.” Her husband was away on a military campaign in al-Balqa with Job son of Suriya, David’s nephew.