Surah Sad — Verse 31

Word Meanings:

• Al-‘Ashiyy (بِالْعَشِيِّ): The time after midday until sunset, specifically the late afternoon.
• Al-Safinat (الصَّافِنَاتُ): The noble, swift horses that stand on three legs and raise the fourth, touching only the edge of the hoof to the ground—a sign of their agility, lightness, and high breeding.
• Al-Jiyad (الْجِيَادُ): The excellent, choice horses—fast, strong, and of pure lineage; the best of their kind.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse takes us back to a remarkable moment in the life of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him), a king blessed by Allah with unmatched power and wealth. The scene unfolds in the late afternoon, when a parade of magnificent horses was presented before him. These were not ordinary horses—they were the finest purebred steeds, so swift and spirited that they would stand poised on three legs, lifting the fourth with grace and elegance, a hallmark of their noble character and speed.

The presentation of these horses continued, captivating Sulayman’s attention, until the sun dipped below the horizon and the time for the ‘Asr prayer slipped away. This moment was not merely about admiration for worldly beauty; it was a test of priorities. Sulayman, despite his immense love for these creatures—which he had requested for the sake of jihad (struggle in Allah’s cause)—realized that his engrossment in them had caused him to miss the remembrance of his Lord. This led him to a profound act of repentance and devotion, as the following verses reveal.

A Da’wah Reflection:

This story carries a timeless lesson for every believer. Allah grants us blessings—wealth, skills, relationships, and even noble pursuits—yet these can become distractions if they turn our hearts away from Him. Sulayman’s example teaches us that true greatness lies not in possessing the finest things of this world, but in ensuring that our love for them never overshadows our love for Allah. When we find ourselves so absorbed in worldly matters that we neglect our prayers or the remembrance of Allah, we must pause, refocus, and turn back to Him with sincerity. The Qur’an presents this not as a rebuke of Sulayman, but as a beautiful demonstration of how a righteous soul responds to a lapse—by returning to Allah with even greater devotion. Let this inspire you: no matter how much you love this life, let your ultimate longing be for the pleasure of your Creator, for that is the path to true success and peace.