In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

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 Prophets: 21: 79-82)

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.

As we read these verses we can imagine David chanting his Psalms, oblivious of his own separate entity, letting his soul move freely in the universe, looking at God’s animate and inanimate creation. He feels that they echo his chanting so that they all respond to him. The entire universe thus becomes an orchestra singing a marvelous tune of praising God and glorifying Him. “The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell in them extol His limitless glory. Indeed every single thing extols His glory and praise, but you (human beings) cannot understand their praises. He is indeed forbearing, much forgiving.” (17: 44) The one who understands such praises is a person who sheds all barriers and separations, and turn to God along with all creatures.

“We caused the mountains to join David in extolling Our limitless glory, and likewise the birds. We are indeed able to do (all things).” There is nothing difficult for God when He wills to have it done or put in place, whether it is familiar or unfamiliar to mankind.

“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?” That was how God taught him to make shields in interconnected rings. Shields were previously made of long plates. Small, interconnected rings can make a shield that is easier to use and more flexible. It seems that it was David who invented this type of shield, as God taught him to do. God reminds people of His favor of teaching David this art to provide protection for them in wartime: “So that they may fortify you against all that which may cause you fear.” The verse ends with a question that encourages them to do the right thing: “Will you, then, give thanks?”

Human civilization moved step by step in its discoveries, because the task that man was given to build life on earth allowed him and his faculties to move one step at a time, so that he may be able to reorganize his life after each step. Life reorganization according to a new system is not easy for the human soul, because it shakes its foundations and alters its habits. A period of time will be needed until man gets settled in his new system, and begin to work and produce, enjoying reassurance. God in His wisdom has willed to allow after each new reorganization a period of resettlement, long or short as it may be.

An important cause of the anxiety that is characteristic of our times is the rapidity of scientific and social changes which do not allow humanity a period of settlement. Man is not given a chance to adapt to new conditions or recognize its merits.

The case of Solomon was even greater: “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.” Reports of all types are given about Solomon, most of which are derived from Israelite sources, interwoven with unfounded myth. We will not go into this maze, but will confine our discussion to what is stated in the Qur’an. Nothing else is certain particularly in relation to Solomon and his history.

The Qur’anic text here states that winds, in their stormy conditions, were made subservient to Solomon, moving at his bidding to the blessed land, which is most probably the land of Palestine, as it is described in this way in the earlier story of Abraham. The question asked here is how was all this done?

We have the story of the magic carpet which is said to have carried Solomon and his courtiers to Palestine and back in a very short period, while camel caravans used to take a month to cover the distance. This report relies on what is mentioned in another Surah: “To Solomon (We made subservient) the wind: its morning course (covered the distance of) a month’s journey, and its evening course, a month’s journey.” (34: 12) But the Qur’an does not mention anything about a magic carpet, nor do we find it in any authentic report. Thus we cannot say anything about it.

It is safer to explain this statement about the wind by saying that it was directed, by God’s will, to the blessed land in a cycle lasting one month each way. How? As we have said, we cannot ask this question about the operation of God’s will, which is free, unrestrained. It is God’s will that creates laws of nature and sets them in operation. What we know of the laws operating in the universe is very little.

There is nothing to preclude that other laws, about which we know nothing, are in operation, but their effects may surface only when God wills: “It is We who have knowledge of everything.” Unlike human knowledge, God’s knowledge is complete and perfect.

The same applies to making the jinn subservient to Solomon to dive into the depths of the sea, or deep into the earth, to bring him some of its hidden riches or to perform other works. The word “jinn” includes in its meaning every thing that is concealed, hidden or unknown. Qur’anic texts mention a type of creatures unknown to us, called the Jinn. It was from among these that God assigned some to Solomon to dive in the sea and do his bidding. He also kept watch over them so that they did not escape or rebel. It is He who holds sway over all His creatures, putting them to whatever purpose He chooses in anyway He likes. We limit ourselves to this explanation.

God has tested David and Solomon with what pleases people. David was tested in connection with the administration of justice, while Solomon’s test involved nobly bred, swift-footed steeds, as is detailed in Surah 38. So we will leave that for now. Both David and Solomon persevered, sought God’s forgiveness and passed their tests. They remained grateful to God for His favors.