Tafsir of Luqman 31:12

Who was he? He is Luqman ibn Ba‘ura, the son of Ayyub’s sister or his maternal cousin. It is said he was a descendant of Azar, lived for a thousand years, and lived during the time of Dawud (peace be upon him), from whom he acquired knowledge.

He used to issue legal rulings (fatwa) before Dawud was commissioned as a prophet. When Dawud was commissioned, Luqman ceased issuing rulings. When asked why, he replied: "Is it not enough for me that I have been spared the burden?"

It is said he was a judge among the Children of Israel. The majority of reports state he was a sage (hakim), not a prophet. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "Luqman was neither a prophet nor a king; he was a black shepherd. Allah granted him manumission, and He was pleased with his words and his counsel, so He recounted his story in the Quran so that you might hold fast to his advice."

Ikrimah and al-Sha‘bi said: "He was a prophet." It is also said he was given the choice between prophethood and wisdom, and he chose wisdom.

Descriptions of his life:

• Ibn al-Musayyib: He was a black man from the blacks of Egypt, a tailor.
• Mujahid: He was a black slave with thick lips and cracked feet.
• Other accounts: He was a carpenter, or a shepherd, or he would gather a bundle of firewood for his master every day.

His character: It is reported that he said to a man looking at him: "If you see me as thick-lipped, know that delicate speech emerges from between them. If you see me as black, know that my heart is white."

A man once stood before him in his assembly and asked: "Are you not the one who used to herd with me in such-and-such a place?" He replied: "Yes." The man asked: "What brought you to the status I see you in now?" He replied: "Truthfulness in speech and silence regarding what does not concern me."

It is reported that he entered upon Dawud (peace be upon him) while he was weaving chainmail, as Allah had softened iron for him like clay. Luqman wanted to ask him about it, but wisdom overtook him, so he remained silent. When Dawud finished, he put it on and said: "What an excellent garment for war you are!" Luqman then said: "Silence is wisdom, yet few practice it." Dawud replied: "By the truth, that is why you are called a sage."

It is reported that his master ordered him to slaughter a sheep and bring him the two best morsels from it. He brought the tongue and the heart. Later, his master ordered him to bring the two worst morsels, and he again brought the tongue and the heart. When asked why, he replied: "They are the best parts if they are good, and the worst parts if they are corrupt."

Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib once said to a black man: "Do not grieve, for three of the best people were black: Bilal, Mahja‘ (the freed slave of Umar), and Luqman."

Exegesis of the Verse:

• "And We gave...": The "and" (wa) is explanatory, because the "giving of wisdom" carries the meaning of a statement.
• Allah, Glory be to Him, draws attention to the fact that original wisdom and true knowledge consist of acting upon them, worshipping Allah, and being grateful to Him, as He interpreted the "giving of wisdom" as an incitement to gratitude.
• "Self-Sufficient" (Ghani): In no need of gratitude.
• "Praiseworthy" (Hamid): Deserving of praise, even if no one praises Him.