سُوْرَةُ سَبَاٍ
Surah Saba (34) — Ayah 13
يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُۥ مَا يَشَآءُ مِن مَّحَـٰرِيبَ وَتَمَـٰثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَٱلْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَـٰتٍ ۚ ٱعْمَلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ دَاوُۥدَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِىَ ٱلشَّكُورُ ﴿13﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They worked for him as he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places). "Work you, O family of Dâwûd (David), with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَعْمَلُونَ
yaʿmalūna
They worked
لَهُۥ
lahu
for him
مَا
mā
what
يَشَآءُ
yashāu
he willed
مِن
min
of
مَّحَـٰرِيبَ
maḥārība
elevated chambers
وَتَمَـٰثِيلَ
watamāthīla
and statues
وَجِفَانٍۢ
wajifānin
and bowls
كَٱلْجَوَابِ
kal-jawābi
like reservoirs
وَقُدُورٍۢ
waqudūrin
and cooking-pots
رَّاسِيَـٰتٍ ۚ
rāsiyātin
fixed
ٱعْمَلُوٓا۟
iʿ'malū
Work
ءَالَ
āla
O family
دَاوُۥدَ
dāwūda
(of) Dawood
شُكْرًۭا ۚ
shuk'ran
(in) gratitude
وَقَلِيلٌۭ
waqalīlun
But few
مِّنْ
min
of
عِبَادِىَ
ʿibādiya
My slaves
ٱلشَّكُورُ
l-shakūru
(are) grateful
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.
13. They made for him whatever he wished—palaces, statues, basins as large as reservoirs, and heavy cooking pots fixed in their places [21]. "O family of David! Work in gratitude [22]." But few of My servants are truly grateful.
[21] These jinn, under the command of Hazrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him), used to build grand palaces, mosques, forts, various models of mosques or models of scenery, large basins, and such huge cauldrons that, due to their heaviness and being unmovable, would be installed at specific places, and food for the armies of Hazrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him) would be prepared in them. Some people have interpreted the jinn or devils as strong, rustic types of humans from the countryside; this interpretation is incorrect and contrary to the context of the Quran. (For details, see the footnote of verse 82 of Surah Al-Anbiya)
[22] That is, do such deeds as grateful servants do. Grateful servants are those who are always expressing gratitude to Allah and openly acknowledge His blessings before everyone. Then, whatever they do, they do according to Allah’s will and for His pleasure. And grateful servants are few, and whatever is few becomes more valuable. That is, if you become grateful, your value and status with Me will increase even more. It is said that after this command, Dawood (peace be upon him) had divided the entire day and night among his family members, and there was never a time when someone from his household was not engaged in the worship of Allah.
[21] These jinn, under the command of Hazrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him), used to build grand palaces, mosques, forts, various models of mosques or models of scenery, large basins, and such huge cauldrons that, due to their heaviness and being unmovable, would be installed at specific places, and food for the armies of Hazrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him) would be prepared in them. Some people have interpreted the jinn or devils as strong, rustic types of humans from the countryside; this interpretation is incorrect and contrary to the context of the Quran. (For details, see the footnote of verse 82 of Surah Al-Anbiya)
[22] That is, do such deeds as grateful servants do. Grateful servants are those who are always expressing gratitude to Allah and openly acknowledge His blessings before everyone. Then, whatever they do, they do according to Allah’s will and for His pleasure. And grateful servants are few, and whatever is few becomes more valuable. That is, if you become grateful, your value and status with Me will increase even more. It is said that after this command, Dawood (peace be upon him) had divided the entire day and night among his family members, and there was never a time when someone from his household was not engaged in the worship of Allah.
