The “sin” of David in light of Islamic thought

The account of David in Sura Ṣād (Q 38:17–26) has provoked fundamental debates in Islamic thought, the most important related to the doctrine of sinlessness or infallibility of prophets (‘iṣma). This passage shares features with 2 Samuel 12: 1–14, a story that explicitly states that David sinned. We examine how Muslim scholars, both Sunni and Shi’ite, addressed the possibility of convergence with the biblical text and traditions of biblical exegesis, while over time being increasingly influenced by the doctrine of ‘iṣma and political and sectarian developments. We address implications for modern Muslim and Christian readers of the Bible.