39
33. They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war: but the command is
with thee; so consider what you will command."
34. She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a country, they despoil it, and make the
noblest of its people its meanest, thus do they behave.
35. "But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return
(my) ambassadors."
36. Now when (the embassy) came to Suleiman, he said: "Will you give me abundance in
wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you!
Nay it is you who rejoice in your gift!
37. (Then Suleiman said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present:) "Go
back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be
able to resist: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled
(indeed)."
38. He said (to his own men): "You chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before
they come to me in submission?"
39. An 'Ifrit (strong), of the Jinns said: "I will bring it to thee before you rise from that
place (council). Indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted."
40. One who had knowledge of the Book said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling
of an eye!" Then when (Suleiman) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by
the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is
grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, (he is
ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself) truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in
Honour !"
41. He said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is
guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."
42. So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "(It is) as though
it were the very same’. And (Suleiman said): “Knowledge was bestowed on us before
her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam)."
43. And that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her (from Islam), for
she was of a disbelieving people.
44. It was said to her: “Enter As-Sarh (a glass surface with water underneath it), but
when she saw it, she thought it was a pool of water, and she (tucked up her skirts),
uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass."
40
She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with
Suleiman, to the Lord of the Worlds."
[Qur’an: Surah An-Naml (The Ants): 27: 20-44]
Suleiman's public work was largely carried out by the jinns. This was a punishment for
their sins of making people believe that they were all-powerful, knew the unseen, and could
foresee the future. As a prophet, it was Suleiman's duty to remove such false beliefs from his
followers. One day, Allah the Exalted ordained for Suleiman to die. His death, like his life, was
unique. The people had to learn that the future is known neither by the jinns, nor by the prophets,
but by Allah alone, so Suleiman's death became an example. He was sitting holding his staff,
overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position. For a long time, no one
was aware of his death, for he was seen sitting erect. The jinns continued with their sand toil,
thinking that Suleiman was watching over them. Many days later, a hungry ant began nibbling
Suleiman's staff. It continued to do so, eating the lower part of the staff, until it fell out of
Suleiman's hand, and his great body fell to the ground. People hurried to him, realizing that he
had died a long time ago and that the jinns did not perceive the unseen, for had the jinns known
the unseen, they would not have kept working, thinking that Suleiman was alive.
When we decreed death for him (Suleiman), nothing informed them (jinns) of his death
except a little worm of the earth, which kept slowly gnawing away at his stick, so when he
fell down, the jinns saw clearly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have
stayed in the humiliating torment.
[Qur’an: Surah Saba’(Sheba): 34:12-14]
Prophet Suleiman (peace be upon him), was able to understand the speech of animals.
Here is a conversation he holds, in the Qur’an, with the bird hoopoe:
22. But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory)
which you have not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba’ with tidings true.
23. "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she
has a magnificent throne.
24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah. Satan has made their
deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive
no guidance,-
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