Surah Sad — Verse 32

Word Meanings:

• أَحْبَبْتُ (ahbabtu): I loved/preferred, meaning I chose and inclined towards.
• حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ (hubba al-khayr): The love of good things — here referring specifically to horses, which are described as "good" (khayr) because of their value and benefit.
• عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي (an dhikri rabbi): Away from the remembrance of my Lord — meaning the prayer (Salat al-Asr), which is the greatest form of remembrance.
• تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ (tawārat bil-hijāb): It concealed itself behind the veil — meaning the sun disappeared behind the veil of darkness (nightfall).

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse takes us to a moment of profound spiritual awakening in the life of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), peace be upon him. The context is that horses of exceptional quality and beauty were presented before him one afternoon. As a king and prophet, Sulayman had a deep appreciation for these magnificent creatures — they were instruments of jihad (struggle in God's cause), symbols of strength, and blessings from Allah. He became so engrossed in examining them that he became oblivious to the passage of time.

The sun began to set, and with its setting, the time for the afternoon prayer (Salat al-Asr) slipped away. Sulayman, peace be upon him, was a prophet — a man of immense devotion — yet even he experienced this momentary lapse. When he realised what had happened, he was overcome with regret and remorse. He did not make excuses or justify his actions. Instead, he immediately acknowledged his shortcoming with complete honesty and humility.

His words — "Indeed, I have preferred the love of good things over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun has hidden behind the veil" — are a confession of his human weakness. He called the horses "good" (khayr) because they were indeed valuable and beneficial, but he recognised that his attachment to them had caused him to neglect something far greater: the remembrance of Allah through prayer.

What followed was a remarkable act of repentance. He ordered the horses to be brought back, and he began to pass his hand over their legs and necks — not out of admiration, but as a form of parting and sacrifice. Some scholars explain that he gave these horses away entirely in the cause of Allah, as an expiation for his lapse. This demonstrates the sincerity of his repentance: he was willing to give up what he loved most for the sake of Allah.

A Lesson for Every Believer:

This story carries a timeless message for all of us. How often do we become so absorbed in the affairs of this world — our work, our wealth, our hobbies, our screens — that we neglect our prayers and our connection with Allah? The Prophet Sulayman, despite his immense power and kingdom, was not above making a mistake. But what distinguished him was his immediate awareness, his sincere confession, and his swift action to rectify the situation.

The verse teaches us that love for worldly things is not inherently blameworthy — horses, wealth, and comfort are all blessings from Allah. What becomes problematic is when these blessings distract us from our primary purpose: remembering Allah and fulfilling our obligations to Him. The believer is one who enjoys the good things of this life while keeping Allah at the centre of their heart, never allowing the blessings to overshadow the Blesser.

Notice also the beautiful quality of Sulayman's repentance: he did not say "I was busy" or "I forgot" as an excuse. He owned his mistake with complete transparency. This is the attitude of the true believer — when we err, we do not rationalise or defend ourselves. We acknowledge, seek forgiveness, and take concrete steps to make amends.

May Allah grant us the ability to balance our love for worldly blessings with our devotion to Him, and may He forgive us our moments of negligence just as He forgave His noble prophet. Indeed, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful — and He loves those who turn back to Him with sincere hearts.