Dawud (David)Prophet-King; the Zabur (Psalms) was revealed to him

Also known as: David, Khalifat Allah fil-Ard (Vicegerent of Allah on Earth)

Nation / People

The Children of Israel in the Levant (Palestine)

Period

Approximately 1,000 BCE; the era of the united Israelite Kingdom

Lifespan

100 years according to some narrations

Burial Place

Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in the City of David

Message

Justice in leadership, gratitude for divine gifts, humility before Allah, and the importance of seeking forgiveness quickly when one errs.

Lineage

يعقوب

Yaqub

Ancestor

يهوذا

Yahudha (Judah)

Ancestor

عوبيد

Obed

Grandfather

إيشا (يسى)

Jesse (Isha)

Father

داوود

Dawud (David)

Prophet (peace be upon him)

Family

Family members named in the Quran and authentic Sunnah.

Sons

سليمان

Sulayman (Solomon)

His son and successor; a prophet-king. Named in the Quran.

Key Miracles

Iron softened like clay in his hands, allowing him to fashion armour without fire or hammer
The mountains and birds echoed his glorification of Allah (tasbih)
Killed Jalut (Goliath) with a stone slung from his sling as a young man
The Zabur (Psalms) was revealed to him
Given unusual wisdom in judging legal disputes

Key Stories

Killed the tyrant Jalut (Goliath) as a young soldier, contrary to all expectation
Became king over the Children of Israel
Tested with a complex case of two men and a flock of sheep; his initial hasty judgement was corrected
Repented with great remorse after his error of judgement
His son Sulayman was appointed his successor

Mentioned in the Quran

Surah al-Baqarah (2:251)Surah al-Anbiya (21:78-80)Surah Sad (38:17-26)Surah al-Naml (27:15)

Special Characteristics

One of the few Prophet-Kings in Islam. He was gifted with a remarkably beautiful voice and sang the praises of Allah, with the mountains and birds joining in glorification. He is noted for his extraordinary fasting: he fasted every alternate day, which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described as the best of fasting.

Key Miracles

Iron softened like clay in his hands, allowing him to fashion armour without fire or hammer

The mountains and birds echoed his glorification of Allah (tasbih)

Killed Jalut (Goliath) with a stone slung from his sling as a young man

The Zabur (Psalms) was revealed to him

Given unusual wisdom in judging legal disputes

Key Stories

Killed the tyrant Jalut (Goliath) as a young soldier, contrary to all expectation

Became king over the Children of Israel

Tested with a complex case of two men and a flock of sheep; his initial hasty judgement was corrected

Repented with great remorse after his error of judgement

His son Sulayman was appointed his successor

Special Characteristics