What Command Did Allah Give Daoud and Sulaiman After Listing His Blessings on Them?
بماذا أمر الله داوود وسليمان بعد ذكر نعمه عليهما؟
He Almighty commanded them to thank Him. ("Work gratefully, O family of David!") And it is a command for them to show their gratitude for the blessings on His creation.
أمرهم الله تعالى بشكره. (اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا) وهو أمرٌ لهم بشكر الله على إنعامه على عباده.
1. Gratitude Phrased as Work, Not Just Words | شكرٌ صيغ عملًا لا قولًا
The command uses the verb "work," not "say" or "praise": Ibn Kathir notes that it shows gratitude is expressed in action as well as in words and intention, through righteous deeds carried out because of the blessings received. This distinguishes commanded gratitude from a passing sentiment. How a believer thanks Allah is covered in how we thank Allah.
يستخدم الأمر فعل "اعملوا" لا "قولوا" أو "احمدوا"، وينبه ابن كثير إلى أن فيه دلالةً على أن الشكر يكون بالفعل كما يكون بالقول وبالنية، بأعمالٍ صالحة تُنجز بسبب النعم المستلمة.
2. A Command Following Specific Blessings | أمرٌ أعقب نعمًا محددة
This command comes directly after the Quran describes the specific gifts Allah gave Sulaiman, control over the wind and the jinn among them, covered fully in what gift Allah gave Prophet Sulaiman. The instruction to work in gratitude is a direct response to those named blessings, not a general statement detached from them, and it is addressed to the family of Daoud, Sulaiman's father, as told in who the father of Sulaiman was.
يأتي هذا الأمر مباشرة بعد وصف القرآن للهبات المحددة التي منحها الله لسليمان، ومنها تسخير الريح والجن. فالتوجيه بالعمل شكرًا استجابةٌ مباشرة لتلك النعم المذكورة، لا قولٌ عام منفصلٌ عنها.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What command did Allah give Daoud and Sulaiman's family?
To work in gratitude for the blessings He had given them.
Why does the command use the word "work" instead of "say"?
To indicate that gratitude was expected to show up in action, not just verbal thanks.