In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

And to Lot, too, We gave sound judgment and knowledge. We saved him from that community which was given to deeds of abomination. They were people lost in evil, depraved. Him We admitted to Our grace; for he was righteous.

Before him Noah called out (to Us), and We responded to him and saved him with his household from the great calamity, and helped him against the people who had denied Our revelations. Lost in evil were they, and so We caused them all to drown.

And remember David and Solomon, when both gave judgment concerning the field into which some people’s sheep had strayed and grazed by night. We were witness to their judgment.

We gave Solomon insight into the case. Yet We gave sound judgment and knowledge to both of them. And We caused the mountains to join David in extolling Our limitless glory, and likewise the birds. We are indeed able to do (all things).

(The Prophets: 21: 74-79)

First we have here a short account of Lot and his story with his people: “And to Lot, too, We gave sound judgment and knowledge. We saved him from that community which was given to deeds of abomination. They were people lost in evil, depraved. Him We admitted to Our grace; for he was righteous.”

The story of Lot is related in full detail elsewhere in the Qur’an. Here we have only a brief reference to it, as he emigrated from Iraq with his uncle Abraham. Lot stayed in the township of Sodom, where the people resorted to abominable practices. They were guilty of gross indecency, men with men, openly, without any sense of shame or guilt. Hence, God poured His punishment on the township and its people, as “they were people lost in evil.” God saved Lot and his household with the exception of his wife. “Him We admitted to Our grace; for he was righteous.” The way this verse is phrased suggests that God’s grace is a place of refuge into which God admits whomever He wills so that they would find peace, comfort and blessings.

This is followed by a similarly short reference to Noah and his savior: “Before him Noah called out (to Us), and We responded to him and saved him with his household from the great calamity, and helped him against the people who had denied Our revelations. Lost in evil were they, and so We caused them all to drown.”

Again the reference here does not provide details. It is simply to confirm God’s response to Noah when he appealed to Him. Noah lived earlier than Lot, hence the time reference, “before him”. In the case of Noah as well, he was saved with his household except his wife. As for his people, they were destroyed by the flood, which is described here as “the great calamity”. It is described in detail in Surah 11, Hood.

Then follows an account of some details concerning an episode of the story of David and Solomon: “And remember David and Solomon, when both gave judgment concerning the field into which some people’s sheep had strayed and grazed by night. We were witness to their judgment. We gave Solomon insight into the case. Yet We gave sound judgment and knowledge to both of them. And We caused the mountains to join David in extolling Our limitless glory, and likewise the birds.

We are indeed able to do (all things). And We taught him how to make garments for you, so that they may fortify you against all that which may cause you fear. Will you, then, give thanks? To Solomon We subjected the stormy wind, so that it sped at his behest toward the land which We had blessed. It is We who have knowledge of everything. And of the evil ones, (We assigned him) some that dived for him into the sea and performed other works besides; but it was We who kept a watch over them.”

The story of the field in which David and Solomon gave judgment is detailed in some reports stating that two men came to David. One of them had a field, or a vineyard according to some reports, while the other had a flock of sheep. The field’s owner said: “This man’s sheep traversed my field at night, leaving it devastated. David ruled that the owner of the field should take the sheep in compensation for his wasted crops. The sheep’s owner then passed by Solomon and told him of David’s judgment. Solomon went to his father and said: ‘Prophet of God, you should have judged differently.’ David asked: ‘How should I judge?’ Solomon replied: ‘Give the sheep to the field’s owner to benefit by them and give the field to the sheep’s owner to tend until it is returned to its original state. Then each man returns to the other his property. Thus, the field’s owner will get his field and the sheep’s owner his sheep.” David confirmed that that was the right judgment, and he ordered it to be carried out.

Both David and Solomon judged according to their own discretion, but God was observing their judgment. He inspired Solomon to give the verdict that is fairer. David’s judgment aimed to compensate the field’s owner for the damage done to him, which establishes justice. But Solomon’s judgment added to justice a constructive dimension.

Thus, justice becomes a motive to initiate constructive efforts. This is a higher level of justice, which was given by God’s inspiration.

Both David and Solomon were given wisdom and knowledge: “Yet We gave sound judgment and knowledge to both of them.” There was nothing wrong with David’s judgment, but that of Solomon went a step better because it was inspired.

The Surah moves on to show what was given specially to each one of them, starting with the father: “And We caused the mountains to join David in extolling Our limitless glory, and likewise the birds. We are indeed able to do (all things). And We taught him how to make garments for you, so that they may fortify you against all that which may cause you fear. Will you, then, give thanks?”

David was famous for his Psalms, which were hymns that he chanted in his melodious voice. They were echoed by his surroundings, including mountains and birds. When a human being feels his bond with God alive in his heart, he feels that the entire universe responds to him. All impediments and barriers separating different kinds of creatures are thus removed, so that they join together in one great, universal entity. In such moments of clarity, man’s soul feels united with all. It is no longer distinct from its surroundings. Indeed it is one with all that is around.

We will continue this discussion of the blessings God gave to David and Solomon next week, God willing.