- For other uses, see Luqman
Luqman (Arabic: لقمان) is the name of a holy man mentioned in Luqman (sura) in the Muslim religious book, the Qur'an. Luqman was believed to be from Nubia, present-day Ethiopia. He was a perceptive man, always watching the animals and plants of his surroundings, and he tried to understand the world based on what he saw. One day, whilst sleeping under a tree, an angel came to him and said God wanted to bestow a gift upon Luqman: either to be a prophet or a wise man. Luqman chose to be a wise man, and when he woke up from his slumber, he was aware that his senses and understanding had sharpened. He felt in complete harmony with nature and could understand the inner meaning of things, beyond their physical reality. Immediately he bowed down, thanked and praised God for this wonderful gift. Unfortunately, Luqman was captured by slavers and sold as a slave. His master was a kind man and ordered that immediately after his death, Luqman should be freed. Once he became a free man, Luqman travelled and settled in the district of the Elah and Midian. He was appointed as a judge during King David's time. According to Sunni belief, Luqman was once asked, "What has brought you to what we see?" meaning his high rank. Luqman said, "Truthful speech, fulfilling the trust, and leaving what does not concern me."[1]
It should not be confused that Luqman was a prophet.
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