The story of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon, alayhis salam), the son of Prophet Dawud (AS), is a magnificent display of Allah's boundless power and generosity. Allah bestowed upon him a kingdom the likes of which no one had ever seen before or since. His life was not just a tale of worldly power, but a profound lesson in wisdom, gratitude (shukr), and the use of immense blessings to call others to the path of Allah.
A Kingdom Like No Other
After inheriting prophethood and kingship from his father, Sulaiman (AS) made a unique prayer: "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower." (Quran 38:35). Allah answered his prayer, granting him miraculous abilities that demonstrated his divine authority.
He was given command over the wind, which he could direct at will, allowing his armies to travel vast distances in a short time. He was also given power over the Jinn and the Shayateen (devils), commanding them to build great structures, dive deep into the sea for treasures, and perform other difficult tasks. Most famously, Allah granted him the ability to understand the language of animals, a gift that led to one of the most beloved stories in the Quran.
While marching with his mighty army of men, jinn, and birds, Sulaiman (AS) overheard an ant warning her colony: "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Sulaiman and his soldiers while they do not perceive it." Upon hearing this, the mighty king didn't react with arrogance, but "smiled, amused at her speech, and said, 'My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.'" (Quran 27:18-19).
The Queen of Sheba (Bilqis)
Sulaiman's story reaches a grand peak with his encounter with the Queen of Sheba. The Hoopoe, one of his bird messengers, discovered the Kingdom of Sheba (in modern-day Yemen), a prosperous land ruled by a powerful queen named Bilqis. The Hoopoe reported that the queen and her people were worshippers of the sun instead of Allah.
Sulaiman (AS) sent a letter to the queen, inviting her and her people to submit to the One True God. The queen, a wise ruler, decided to test Sulaiman's power by sending him lavish gifts. Sulaiman rejected the gifts, stating that what Allah had given him was far better. He then demonstrated his divine power by having a mighty jinn bring her magnificent throne to his palace in Jerusalem in the blink of an eye. He had the throne disguised to test her wisdom upon her arrival.
When Queen Bilqis arrived and was shown the throne, she recognized it. She was then led into a grand hall whose floor was made of polished glass over flowing water. Thinking it was a pool, she lifted her garments, revealing her legs. Sulaiman informed her it was merely glass. Overwhelmed by these displays of wisdom and power that could not be of human origin, she made a historic declaration:
"She said, 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'"(Quran 27:44)
The Humble Death of a Mighty King
Despite his unparalleled kingdom, Sulaiman (AS) was still a mortal servant of Allah. His death was as much a lesson as his life. To ensure the jinn completed the construction of the Temple (Bayt al-Maqdis), he continued to supervise them even as he felt death approaching. He leaned on his staff, and Allah took his soul in this position. The jinn, who claim to know the unseen, had no idea he was dead. They continued to toil out of fear, for a long time, until a termite, a tiny creature of Allah, gnawed through the bottom of the staff. The staff broke, and the body of the great king finally fell. This was a clear sign to all of humanity that only Allah possesses knowledge of the unseen (al-ghaib).
Timeless Lessons from Sulaiman's Life
Sulaiman (AS) had everything, yet his first instinct upon hearing the ant was to pray to Allah for help to be grateful. This teaches us that the greater the blessing, the greater the need for humility and gratitude towards the Giver.
He did not use his incredible kingdom for mere conquest or luxury. He used his power, wisdom, and resources as a means to invite others, like the Queen of Sheba, to the truth of monotheism. It is a powerful lesson in using our own blessings to guide others.
In his dealings with the Queen of Sheba, Sulaiman (AS) did not immediately resort to force. He used wisdom, strategic communication, and awe-inspiring miracles to guide her to the truth, demonstrating that da'wah is most effective when combined with intelligence.
The death of the mighty king, revealed by a tiny insect, is the ultimate reminder that no matter how great a person's dominion on Earth, all power is fleeting. True, everlasting power and knowledge belong only to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
Share and Reflect
The magnificent life of Prophet Sulaiman (alayhis salam) is a story filled with wonder and profound wisdom. Which of his miraculous abilities or wise actions do you find most inspiring? Share your reflections below.
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