The making of armor which was the best means of defense in the olden days has been discussed in two Surahs of the Qura’n. This was done through David a great Apostle of God.

In verse 80 of Surah Anbiya God says:

“And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battle) to protect you in your fighting.”

It is clear from this verse that defensive armor was first made in the time of David due to the knowledge given by God though we know that this kind of knowledge is not very necessary for an Apostle of God.

In verses 10 and 11 of Surah Saba God says:

“Indeed We bestowed our grace on David: “O you mountains! Glorify (God) with him. And you birds. We made the iron soft for him. ”Make the perfect coats of mail balancing the chains in the links of the armor.”

There is no doubt that this action or deed of David about iron and the coat of mail was decreed by God. It is he who gave him the knowledge of iron and the method of melting it. This is nothing but a manifestation of God’s glorious knowledge for it gave David the expertise. (In creating an armor that could protect the warrior from his attacker and save him from strikes of the sword, spears and arrows) this was definitely a difficult task and it had a relevance and importance as great as the armor of today and not less.

The verse 15 of Surah Naml also mentions David and the coat of armor and it says:

“And We gave knowledge to David and Solomon.” (1)We have discussed this earlier in a different context.

1. This issue has been raised in Tafsir Qartabi vol.7 page 4879 for the verse under discussion.