Surah Sad Tafseer

وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ

We made his kingdom strong,

means, `We gave him complete dominion with all that kings need.'

Ibn Abi Najih reported that Mujahid said,

"He was the strongest and most powerful of the people of this world."

وَاتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ

and gave him Al-Hikmah,

Mujahid said,

"This means understanding, reason and intelligence."

Qatadah said,

"The Book of Allah and following what is in it."

As-Suddi said:

Al-Hikmah, "Prophethood."

وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ

and sound judgement.

Shurayh Al-Qadi and Ash-Sha`bi said,

"Sound judgement is testimony and oaths."

Qatadah said,

"Two witnesses for the plaintiff or an oath on the part of the defendant is meaning of sound judgement."

This is the sound judgement which the Prophets and Messengers judged and the believers and righteous accepted. This is the basis of this Ummah's judicial system until the Day of Resurrection.

This was the view of Abu Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami.

Mujahid and As-Suddi said,

"It means passing the right judgement and understanding the case."

Mujahid also said,

"It is soundness in speech and in judgement, and this includes all of the above."

This is what is meant, and this is the view favored by Ibn Jarir