Luqman
Definition
Luqman is the righteous sage (identified by some scholars as a prophet, by others as a wise man given divine wisdom without formal prophethood) whose advice to his son is preserved in the Quran in Surah Luqman as one of the most comprehensive parenting guides in scripture. Ibn Kathir notes that Luqman's wisdom was given to him by divine gift: 'We gave Luqman wisdom: be grateful to Allah.' His advice to his son covers five essential domains: avoiding shirk, honoring parents, awareness of divine omniscience, establishing prayer and enjoining good, and humility in social interaction. The compression of essential Islamic character into a brief paternal address makes it one of the most practically memorized and applied passages of the Quran.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Luqman.
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"is also said that he served as a judge during the time of David. Peace be upon him, and Allah knows best. Ibn Abbas said, Chapter The Story of Luqman. Luqman was a black slave and a carpenter. It is narrated that Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr asked Jabir ibn Abdullah about Luqman, and Jabir described him as short and flat-nosed. Sayyid ibn al-Musayyab shared that Luqman was from the Sudan of Egypt, a man of great wisdom whom Allah granted wisdom but withheld prophethood. Sayyid ibn al-Musayyab also reassured a black man who inquired about Luqman, saying, Do not be saddened because you are black, for among the best of people were three from"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
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"account he was said to have flat feet. Umar ibn Qais also described him similarly. Once, a man approached Luqman in a gathering and asked, Aren't you the one who used to tend sheep with me in such and such a place? Luqman replied, Yes. The man then asked, What has brought you to this state that I see? Luqman answered, Truthful speech and silence regarding what does not concern me. It is narrated that Allah elevated Luqman the wise for his wisdom. A man who had known him before said, Aren't you the slave of so and so who used to tend my sheep yesterday? Luqman replied, Yes. The man asked, What has brought you to"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
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"used to tend my sheep yesterday? Luqman replied, Yes. The man asked, What has brought you to this state that I see? Luqman said, It is the decree of Allah, fulfilling trusts, truthful speech, and avoiding what does not concern me. Another account tells of a man who approached Luqman and said, You are Luqman, the slave of the copper smith. Luqman replied, Yes."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
Appears in
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