Prophet Dawud a.s, the Two Disputants: A Timeless Lesson in Justice

Question: What is the story of Prophet Dawud (عليه السلام) and the two disputants, and what lessons can we learn from it?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:

The story of Prophet Dawud (عليه السلام) and the two disputants, narrated in Surah Saad (38:21-25), highlights a significant lesson about justice and the dangers of making hasty judgments. Two men presented their case to Dawud (عليه السلام); one had 99 sheep and the other had only one. The man with 99 sheep demanded a single sheep from the other man. Dawud (عليه السلام) initially judged in favor of the man with one sheep but realized he had judged hastily without hearing the other side, prompting him to seek Allah’s forgiveness.

Detailed Answer:

The Incident:

One day, two men entered Dawud’s (عليه السلام) private chamber. One man had 99 sheep, while the other had only one. The man with 99 sheep wanted the single sheep from the other man, citing his dominance.

“And has the news of the disputants come to you? When they climbed over the wall into [his] private chamber; When they entered upon Dawud and he was alarmed by them, they said, ‘Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path. Indeed this, my brother has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, ‘Entrust her to me,’ and he overpowered me in speech.’ [Dawud] said, ‘He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds – and few are they.’ And Dawud became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing and turned in repentance [to Allah]. So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.”
Surah Saad, 38:21-25

Dawud (عليه السلام) quickly judged in favor of the man with one sheep, condemning the actions of the other as unjust. However, he soon realized he had judged without hearing both sides. He immediately sought forgiveness from Allah for his hasty judgment.

Lessons and Reflections:

1. Hearing Both Sides: The story underscores the importance of hearing all involved parties before making a decision. Dawud’s (عليه السلام) initial error was due to not listening to both sides.

“O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.”
Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:6

2. Justice and Humility: Even prophets can make mistakes, and their immediate turn to Allah for forgiveness is a lesson in humility and continuous seeking of Allah’s guidance.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent often.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2499

3. Symbolism of the Sheep: The man with 99 sheep symbolizes those in power, while the man with one sheep represents the vulnerable. It highlights the duty of the powerful to act justly and not oppress the weak.

“…And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on earth, spreading corruption.”
Surah Hud, 11:85

4. Letting go of Biases: It also emphasises that a we should not assume guilt or innocence based on a person’s state. If a person belongs to a vulnerable group that does not mean they are innocent or truthful by their very state, eventhough it may be that we consider it to be more likely due to our biases. A person of auhority or wealth is not by virtue of their state in the world an opressor. So we must set aside our biases when making a judgement.

“O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.”
Surah Nisa, 4:135

The story is sometimes seen as a metaphor for Dawud’s own life, reflecting his realization and repentance for any injustices he might have committed. This interpretation is supported by classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi.

Ibn Kathir’s Commentary:

Ibn Kathir mentions that Dawud (عليه السلام) instantly recognized his mistake and sought Allah’s forgiveness, demonstrating his deep sense of justice and humility. This episode shows that even the most righteous can err, and their response to these errors is what distinguishes them (Tafseer Ibn Kathir)​

Relevant Hadith:

While no specific hadith details this story, the Quranic account offers a comprehensive lesson. Hadiths emphasize the importance of justice and thorough judgment, resonating with Dawud’s story.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “When two litigants sit in front of you, do not judge until you have heard the other, just as you heard the first.”
Sunan Abu Dawood 3582

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also said, “The judges are of three types, one of whom will go to Paradise, and two to Hell. The one who will go to Paradise is a man who knows what is right and gives judgment accordingly…”
Sunan Abu Dawood 3573

Conclusion:

The narrative of Dawud (عليه السلام) and the two disputants serves as a perpetual reminder of the need for fairness, the risks of quick decisions, and the humility to seek forgiveness for mistakes. By ensuring a thorough understanding and reflecting on all sides, one can strive for just and rightful administration.

And Allah Knows Best