The Ocean of the Quran

A verse by verse explanation of The Ultimate Scripture

Ṣād – Verse 39

هٰذا عَطاؤُنا فَامنُن أَو أَمسِك بِغَيرِ حِسابٍ

‘This is Our bounty: so give away or withhold, without any reckoning.’

EXPOSITION

This is Our bounty refers to the miraculous kingdom and unprecedented powers described in the previous verses.‎[1] These miracles were gifted to Prophet Solomon (a) because of his supplication, and they are excellent examples of the theme of wonder in the surah, for who else could claim to have been given the like of this?

To give without any reckoning means that Prophet Solomon (a) was given discretion to give and withhold from the bounty given to him by God, as he willed.‎[2] This should be linked to the vicegerency spoken of in verse 26 that was given to his father, Prophet David (a), and which Prophet Solomon (a) also inherited. This position meant that he would have always acted according to God’s will.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

  1. From Washshāʾ, that he asked Imam al-Riḍā (a): ‘May I be your ransom, [what does it mean] ask the People of the Reminder if you do not know [16:43]?’ The Imam replied: ‘We are the People of the Reminder, and we are the ones who are asked.’ ‘I said: “You are the ones who are asked and we are the ones doing the asking?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “Is it our duty to ask you?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “Is it your duty to answer us?” He said: “No, that is for us [to decide], if we wish we do so, if we wish we do not. Have you not heard God’s word – high and exalted may He be – This is Our bounty: so give away or withhold, without any reckoning?”’‎[3]
  2. From Zayd al-Shaḥḥām, that he asked Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) regarding this verse, to which he replied: ‘Solomon was given a great kingdom, but this verse is also applicable to the Messenger of God (s) who was allowed to give whom he willed what he willed and withhold what he willed. God gave him better than what He gave Solomon by saying take whatever the Apostle gives you, and relinquish whatever he forbids you [59:7].’‎[4]

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

To give without any reckoning has also been said to mean:

  1. Prophet Solomon (a) could give from this kingdom without being taken into account on the Day of Judgement.‎[5]
  2. Prophet Solomon (a) could give without fearing that his wealth would ever run out. ‎[6]
  3. Prophet Solomon (a) had discretion to bind or set free whichever jinns he wished.‎[7] However, this has been criticised for not being congruent with the word ʿaṭāʾunā (Our bounty).‎[8] 
[1] Tibyan, 8/565; Tabari, 23/104.
[2] Tibyan, 8/565: Tabrisi, 8/744; Tabari, 23/104; Nemuneh, 19/288.
[3] Kafi, 1/210; Nur, 4/461.
[4] Kafi, 1/268.
[5] Tibyan, 8/565-566; Tabari, 23/105; Thalabi, 8/211.
[6] Tibyan, 8/566; Mizan, 17/205.
[7] Tibyan, 8/566; Tabari, 23/105; Thalabi, 8/211.
[8] Nemuneh, 19/289.