The Story of Prophet Dawud and the Wisdom of Prophet Sulaiman

In the lands of ancient Israel, Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him) was not only a beloved prophet but also a just and wise king. He ruled his people with fairness, constantly seeking Allah's guidance in his judgments. Among the many stories of his wisdom, one incident stands out—a case that showcased not only Dawud's justice but also the remarkable wisdom of his son, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon, peace be upon him).

One day, two men came before Prophet Dawud to resolve a dispute. The first man owned a vineyard, a lush piece of land with grapevines carefully nurtured over years. The second man was a shepherd whose flock of sheep grazed across the valleys.

The owner of the vineyard spoke first. "O Dawud," he said, his voice filled with frustration, "this man’s sheep entered my vineyard last night and destroyed it completely. The fruits, the vines, everything I had cultivated is now gone. I demand justice!"

The shepherd looked remorseful. He admitted his sheep had strayed into the vineyard but pleaded for leniency. "O Prophet," he said, "I did not intend for this to happen. It was an accident. Please judge fairly between us."

Prophet Dawud listened carefully to both sides. The evidence was clear: the shepherd’s flock had indeed destroyed the vineyard. After thoughtful deliberation, Dawud ruled that the vineyard owner should be compensated for his loss. He decreed that the shepherd must give his flock to the vineyard owner as reparation. This way, the vineyard owner could recover his livelihood, while the shepherd would face the consequences of his negligence.

Present during this judgment was Sulaiman, Dawud’s young son. Though he was still learning from his father, Sulaiman possessed extraordinary wisdom granted by Allah. As the ruling was about to be finalized, Sulaiman respectfully asked his father if he could suggest an alternative solution.

Dawud, ever open to wisdom, encouraged Sulaiman to speak.

Sulaiman turned to the disputing parties and proposed a different judgment. "O father," he said, "while your ruling is just, I believe there may be a way to ensure both parties benefit."

He addressed the vineyard owner. "You, the owner of the vineyard, should take the flock temporarily. Use the milk, wool, and other benefits the sheep provide to sustain yourself while you restore your vineyard."

Then, he turned to the shepherd. "You, the shepherd, should work to restore the vineyard to its former state. Once the vineyard is fully recovered, you will return the flock to its rightful owner, and both of you will have what you originally possessed."

Dawud, hearing his son's wise and balanced proposal, immediately recognized the fairness in Sulaiman’s judgment. He agreed to implement this solution, and both parties accepted the ruling with gratitude.

Lessons from the Story

• Justice with Compassion

This story shows that justice is not merely about punishment; it is about ensuring fairness and restoring balance in a way that benefits all parties.

• The Value of Wisdom

Allah's gift of wisdom is a blessing that can guide people to find solutions to even the most complex problems.

• Learning from Others

Even the most knowledgeable and experienced individuals can learn from others. Prophet Dawud's acceptance of Sulaiman’s judgment underscores the importance of humility in leadership.

• Patience and Hard Work

The vineyard owner’s patience in restoring his land and the shepherd’s effort to make amends are reminders of the virtues of responsibility and perseverance.

• Divine Blessings

The story illustrates how Allah grants unique abilities to His chosen servants. Both Dawud and Sulaiman were blessed with knowledge, but their strengths complemented each other.