Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect you in your fighting. Are you then grateful?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُwaʿallamnāhuAnd We taught him
صَنْعَةَṣanʿata(the) making
لَبُوسٍۢlabūsin(of) coats of armor
لَّكُمْlakumfor you
لِتُحْصِنَكُمlituḥ'ṣinakumto protect you
مِّنۢminfrom
بَأْسِكُمْ ۖbasikumyour battle
فَهَلْfahalThen will
أَنتُمْantumyou
شَـٰكِرُونَshākirūna(be) grateful
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 80){وَعَلَّمْنٰهُصَنْعَةَلَبُوْسٍلَّكُمْ …: ’’ لَبُوْسٍ ‘‘} and {’’ لِبَاسٌ‘‘} are the same, differing only according to the context; thus, the armor for battle is the coat of mail. This is the third favor upon Dawud (David), that Allah made iron soft for him in addition to subjugating the mountains and birds with him, and taught him the skill of making coats of mail from its wires and rings. Thus, he is the inventor of such light and excellent armor. Others learned this craft from him. This blessing was not only for him, but is a blessing for all warriors until the Day of Resurrection, for which gratitude to Allah is obligatory. So, are you among those who give thanks? This question is, in fact, an emphasis on the command to give thanks. For more about Dawud (David), see Surah Saba (10, 11) and Surah Sad (17 to 26).
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
80. 1. That is, We made iron soft for Dawud (عليه السلام), and he used it to make armor and iron coats of mail, which serve as a means of protection for you in battle. Hazrat Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) says that even before Hazrat Dawud (عليه السلام), coats of mail were made, but they were plain, without hooks and without rings. Hazrat Dawud (عليه السلام) was the first person who made coats of mail with hooked rings (Ibn Kathir).
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
80. And We taught David the craft of making armor for your benefit, to protect you from each other's violence in battle. So will you then be grateful [68]?
[68] Sayyiduna Dawud and the Smelting of Iron and Armor-Making:
From this verse, it is understood that the inventor of armor-making is Hazrat Dawud (David) ؑ. Its further detail is as follows in Surah Saba: ﴿وَأَلَنَّالَهُالْحَدِيدَأَنِاعْمَلْسَابِغَاتٍوَقَدِّرْفِيالسَّرْدِ﴾[11، 10: 34] That is, We made iron soft for Dawud ؑ and instructed him to make complete coats of mail and to measure the links with precision. There are two meanings for making iron soft for him. One is that iron would become as soft as wax in his hands, and he would make chains and prepare armor as he wished. The second interpretation is that Allah Almighty taught him the work of melting and casting iron. His era is estimated to be from 105 BC to 945 BC, which is also called the Iron Age. Before this, the method for making swords, spears, or other items from iron was to heat the iron in fire, and when it became red like fire, it would be hammered and cut to prepare such items. Although a few nations had become familiar with the art of casting iron, all this was kept secret, and it was Dawud ؑ who started the work of making iron armor for military purposes. Since armor is a very important weapon for protection during battle, Allah Almighty also said along with it: Do you give thanks for this blessing of Allah, that He taught mankind the art of armor-making through Hazrat Dawud ؑ? It should be clear that Hazrat Dawud did not take anything from the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal), but lived only on what he earned with his own hands. As is evident from the following hadith: Hazrat Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The recitation of the Zabur was made so easy for Dawud ؑ that he would order the saddle to be put on the animal, and before the saddle was fully fastened, he would finish reciting the Zabur, and his livelihood was only from what he earned with his own hands. [بخاری، کتاب احادیث الانبیاء باب قول اللہ تعالیٰ ﴿وَاٰتَيْنَا دَاوٗدَ زَبُوْرًا﴾ ]