SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Verse 24 to 25 of sura 38 (Sad) of the Qur'an tell us 'David realized that We had been testing him, so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down on his knees, and repented: We forgave him [his misdeed]. His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to'; verse 34 to 35 of the same sura tell us 'We certainly tested Solomon, reducing him to a mere skeleton on the throne. He turned to Us and prayed: 'Lord, forgive me! Grant me such power as no one after me will have -- You are the Most Generous Provider', then, at verse 40, 'His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to'. Yet the medieval Muslim historiographical tradition presents very different narratives, and very different personalities, in elucidation of these two episodes. The two questions that will be addressed in this essay are: restricting our focus to communication patterns and how God is presented in the narrative, how do these two narratives differ? And, secondly, can we find reasons in the text of the Qur'anic passages themselves for why they differ?