Sulayman (Solomon) (Sulaymān) عليه السلام
A Prophet, King, and Heir to Dawud
Sulayman (Solomon) (Sulaymān) عليه السلام was one of the greatest prophets of Allah and the son of Dawud (David) (Dāwūd) عليه السلام. Allah blessed him with both prophethood and kingship, making his reign one of the most remarkable described in the Qur'an. In addition to wisdom and revelation, Allah granted Sulayman extraordinary gifts that were unique among mankind, including authority over the wind, the jinn, and the ability to understand the speech of birds and certain animals. Despite these exceptional blessings, Sulayman remained a humble servant who consistently attributed every favour to Allah alone.[1]
After the death of Dawud, Allah appointed Sulayman as his successor.
Allah says:
"And Sulayman inherited Dawud. He said, 'O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is clear bounty.'"
Qur'an 27:16
The inheritance mentioned in this verse refers primarily to prophethood, wisdom, and kingship rather than material wealth. This understanding is reinforced by the authentic Hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated that the prophets do not leave worldly inheritance, but rather leave knowledge and guidance for those who follow them.[[2]
Rather than claiming credit for his remarkable abilities, Sulayman immediately acknowledged that everything he possessed was a blessing from Allah. His response establishes one of the defining characteristics of true believers: gratitude to Allah for every gift and recognition that all power ultimately belongs to Him.[3]
Allah's Extraordinary Kingdom
Allah granted Sulayman a kingdom unlike any given before or after him. His armies consisted not only of human soldiers but also believing jinn and birds, all organised with remarkable discipline under Allah's command.
Allah says:
"And gathered for Sulayman were his armies of jinn, men, and birds, and they were kept in perfect order."
Qur'an 27:17
Allah also subjected the wind to Sulayman, enabling it to carry him swiftly across great distances according to Allah's command.
Allah says:
"And to Sulayman We subjected the wind; its morning journey was a month's travel and its evening journey was a month's travel. And We caused a spring of molten copper to flow for him. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord."
Qur'an 34:12
The Qur'an makes clear that these extraordinary abilities were miracles granted exclusively by Allah. The jinn served Sulayman only because Allah had commanded them to do so, and they remained entirely subject to His authority.
Allah says:
"They made for him whatever he wished of sanctuaries, statues, basins like reservoirs, and firmly fixed cooking pots. 'Work, O family of Dawud, in gratitude.' But few of My servants are truly grateful."
Qur'an 34:13
The mention of statues in this verse refers to works that were permissible under the religious law revealed before Islam. Islamic law later prohibited the making of statues representing living beings for religious or devotional purposes. The Qur'an records this as part of the historical account of Sulayman's kingdom without making it a ruling for Muslims.[4]
Throughout these verses, the Qur'an repeatedly emphasises that Sulayman's greatness lay not merely in his kingdom but in his gratitude. Although Allah had given him authority unlike any other ruler, Sulayman consistently recognised himself as a servant of Allah rather than an independent possessor of power.[5]
Sulayman and the Ants
Among the unique blessings Allah granted Sulayman (Solomon) (Sulaymān) عليه السلام was the ability to understand the speech of certain animals and birds. This knowledge was a miracle bestowed upon him by Allah and was not an ability that he acquired through his own efforts. The Qur'an presents it as one of the many signs of Allah's favour upon His prophet.[6]
While travelling with his organised armies of men, jinn, and birds, Sulayman approached a valley inhabited by ants. As the army drew near, one ant warned the others to seek safety before they were accidentally crushed.
Allah says:
"Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, 'O ants, enter your dwellings lest Sulayman and his armies crush you while they are unaware.'"
Qur'an 27:18
The ant did not accuse Sulayman of intending harm. Rather, it recognised that any injury would occur unintentionally. This detail reflects the justice that characterised Sulayman's rule, even over Allah's smallest creatures.[7]
Upon hearing the ant's words, Sulayman smiled with gratitude and immediately turned to Allah in prayer.
Allah says:
"So he smiled, laughing at her words, and said, 'My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that pleases You. And admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants.'"
Qur'an 27:19
Rather than becoming proud of his extraordinary ability, Sulayman responded with humility and thankfulness. He recognised that every gift, whether knowledge, authority, or miraculous ability, came solely from Allah. His prayer also demonstrates that true gratitude is expressed not merely through words but through righteous deeds and continued obedience to Allah.[8]
The account teaches that even the smallest of Allah's creatures deserves compassion and consideration. It also illustrates the humility of the prophets, who responded to Allah's blessings with gratitude rather than arrogance.[9]
The Hoopoe and the Queen of Sheba
Another remarkable event recorded in the Qur'an concerns the hoopoe bird (hudhud), which formed part of Sulayman's army. One day, Sulayman noticed that the bird was absent during an inspection of his forces.
Allah says:
"And he inspected the birds and said, 'Why do I not see the hoopoe? Or is he among the absent? I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me a clear excuse.'"
Qur'an 27:20–21
Shortly afterwards, the hoopoe returned with unexpected news from the kingdom of Saba (Sheba).
Allah says:
"'But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, 'I have encompassed that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a magnificent throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and diverted them from the way, so they are not guided.'"
Qur'an 27:22–24
Rather than accepting the report immediately, Sulayman verified its accuracy before taking any action.
Allah says:
"'He said, 'We shall see whether you have spoken the truth or whether you are among the liars.'"
Qur'an 27:27
This response demonstrates Sulayman's wisdom and fairness. Although the information appeared significant, he refused to make decisions without first confirming the facts. The Qur'an therefore establishes the importance of verification before acting upon reports or accusations.[10]
After confirming the hoopoe's account, Sulayman sent a letter inviting the Queen of Sheba and her people to abandon the worship of the sun and submit to Allah alone.
Allah says:
"'Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then withdraw from them and see how they respond.'"
Qur'an 27:28
The letter itself was brief yet profound.
Allah says:
"'Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed it reads: In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Do not exalt yourselves against me, but come to me in submission to Allah.'"
Qur'an 27:30–31
Sulayman's invitation was not motivated by conquest or personal ambition. Like every prophet before him, his primary objective was to call people away from false worship and toward the worship of Allah alone. His authority as a king served the greater purpose of conveying Allah's guidance with wisdom and justice.[11]
The Queen of Sheba Accepts Islam
When the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis in Islamic tradition, though the Qur'an does not name her) received Sulayman's letter, she recognised that it differed from the correspondence of ordinary rulers. Rather than responding with hostility, she gathered her advisers and consulted them concerning the matter.
Allah says:
"'She said, 'O eminent ones, indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me. Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed it reads: In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Do not exalt yourselves against me, but come to me in submission to Allah.'"
Qur'an 27:29–31
Her advisers expressed confidence in their military strength but wisely left the final decision to their queen.
Allah says:
"'They said, 'We possess strength and great military power, but the command is yours, so consider what you will command.'"
Qur'an 27:33
Rather than rushing into war, the Queen observed that military conflict often brought destruction and humiliation. She therefore chose diplomacy, sending valuable gifts to Sulayman in an attempt to determine whether he was merely a worldly king seeking wealth or a genuine prophet calling people to Allah.[12]
Allah says:
"'She said, 'Indeed, when kings enter a town they ruin it and make the honourable among its people humiliated, and thus do they act. But indeed, I am sending to them a gift and will see with what the messengers return.'"
Qur'an 27:34–35
When the delegation arrived with its gifts, Sulayman immediately rejected them. He made it clear that Allah had granted him far greater blessings than any worldly treasure and that his invitation was based upon faith rather than political or financial gain.
Allah says:
"'So when the envoy came to Sulayman, he said, 'Do you provide me with wealth? What Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who rejoice in your gift. Return to them, for we will surely come to them with armies they cannot resist, and we will surely expel them from it, humbled and subdued.'"
Qur'an 27:36–37
Sulayman's response demonstrated the sincerity of his mission. Unlike worldly rulers who sought tribute and wealth, his objective was to invite people to worship Allah alone. The rejection of the gifts confirmed to the Queen that Sulayman was acting as a prophet rather than pursuing personal ambition.[13]
Before the Queen arrived, Sulayman asked who among his assembly could bring her magnificent throne before she reached him.
Allah says:
"'He said, 'O eminent ones, which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?'"
Qur'an 27:38
One of the powerful jinn offered to bring it before Sulayman rose from his place, but another servant, whom Allah had granted knowledge from the Scripture, brought it in an instant by Allah's permission.
Allah says:
"'One who had knowledge from the Scripture said, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' Then when Sulayman saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is from the bounty of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful, his gratitude is only for his own benefit; and whoever is ungrateful, then indeed my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.'"
Qur'an 27:40
Once again, Sulayman attributed the miracle entirely to Allah. Rather than boasting of his kingdom, he regarded every blessing as a test of gratitude. The Qur'an repeatedly portrays Sulayman as a prophet whose extraordinary authority never diminished his humility before Allah.[14]
When the Queen finally arrived, Sulayman had her throne altered slightly and asked whether she recognised it. After observing the signs Allah had shown her and witnessing the wisdom with which Sulayman ruled, she recognised the truth of his message.
Allah says:
"'She was told, 'Enter the palace.' But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her legs. He said, 'Indeed, it is a palace paved smoothly with glass.' She said, 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulayman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'"
Qur'an 27:44
The account concludes with one of the Qur'an's clearest examples of peaceful guidance. Rather than conquering Sheba through warfare, Sulayman invited its ruler through wisdom, evidence, and the signs granted by Allah. The Queen freely accepted faith, acknowledging her previous error and submitting to Allah, the Lord of all creation.[15]
The Death of Sulayman
Among the most remarkable events recorded in the Qur'an concerning Sulayman (Solomon) (Sulaymān) عليه السلام is the account of his death. Allah used this event to demonstrate that neither the jinn nor any other created being possesses knowledge of the unseen except by His permission. Although Sulayman had been granted authority over the jinn during his lifetime, they remained servants of Allah and knew only what He allowed them to know.[16]
The Qur'an explains that Sulayman died while leaning upon his staff as the jinn continued carrying out the work he had assigned to them. Unaware that he had passed away, they continued labouring until Allah caused a creature to eat through the wooden staff upon which Sulayman was resting.
Allah says:
"Then when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated to them that he had died except a creature of the earth eating away at his staff. When he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in the humiliating punishment."
Qur'an 34:14
This verse refutes the belief that the jinn possess independent knowledge of the unseen. Had they truly known the unseen, they would have realised immediately that Sulayman had died instead of continuing their labour until his body finally fell. The Qur'an therefore establishes that knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah alone unless He chooses to reveal part of it to His prophets.[17]
The account also demonstrates that the extraordinary authority granted to Sulayman existed only by Allah's permission. His kingdom, his command over the wind, and his authority over the jinn all ceased according to Allah's decree, reminding believers that every worldly blessing is temporary and belongs ultimately to Allah alone.[18]
Legacy and Significance
Sulayman (Solomon) (Sulaymān) عليه السلام stands among the greatest prophets in Islamic tradition. Allah combined within him prophethood, kingship, wisdom, justice, and extraordinary miracles that were not granted to any other ruler. Yet despite possessing immense authority over men, jinn, birds, and the wind, Sulayman remained humble, constantly attributing every blessing to Allah and recognising that all worldly power is a trust rather than a personal achievement.[19]
The Qur'an repeatedly presents Sulayman as an example of gratitude, wisdom, and righteous leadership. Whether judging fairly, communicating with the Queen of Sheba, understanding the speech of animals, or administering his kingdom, he consistently acted with justice and devotion to Allah. His life demonstrates that true greatness lies not in wealth or authority but in obedience to Allah and gratitude for His blessings.[20]
The account of Sulayman also corrects common misconceptions regarding magic and the supernatural. The Qur'an makes clear that Sulayman's authority over the jinn came entirely from Allah and had no connection with sorcery. Instead, he remained a prophet devoted to tawheed who called people to worship Allah alone. His reign therefore stands as one of the clearest demonstrations that every miracle granted to the prophets serves to strengthen faith in Allah rather than elevate the prophets themselves.[21]