(David’s Exemplary Piety)
He said, “He is being unfair to you by asking to combine your sheep with his. Most people who combine their properties treat each other unfairly, except those who believe and work righteousness, and these are so few.” Afterwards, David wondered if he made the right judgment. He thought that we were testing him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and repented.*
قالَ لَقَد ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤالِ نَعجَتِكَ إِلىٰ نِعاجِهِ وَإِنَّ كَثيرًا مِنَ الخُلَطاءِ لَيَبغى بَعضُهُم عَلىٰ بَعضٍ إِلَّا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَقَليلٌ ما هُم وَظَنَّ داوۥدُ أَنَّما فَتَنّٰهُ فَاستَغفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ راكِعًا وَأَنابَ
qaala laqad zalamaka bisu ‘aali na’jatika ilaa ni’aajih; wa inna kaseeran minal khulataaa’i la-yabghee ba’duhum ‘alaa ba’din illal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati wa qaleelun maa hum; wa zanna Daawoodu annamaa fatannaahu fastaghfara Rabbahoo wa kharra raaki’anw wa anaab
*38:24 In this clear example, 99 on one side vs 1 on the other side, David’s extreme care to render the correct judgment caused him to ask forgiveness. Are we this careful?