★Story Of Prophet Sulaiman(A.S)★

Chapter 1:

                 ‡Sulaiman's Favours‡

Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted, bestowed upon two of His servants and prophets, great blessings and favours. Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them, enjoyed happiness, power, and authority in this world and the position of Prophethood and Messangership. And indeed We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulaiman, and they both said "All praises be to Allah, who has preferred us above many of His believing servants."(Qur'an 27: 15)¹

It was said that Prophet Dawud(A.S) had one hundred wives and Sulaiman (A.S) was the son of Dawud. Sulaiman became king after his father's demise. He inherited his father's Prophethood, Dominion, and Knowledge. And Sulaimain inherited from Dawud. He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds and we have been given everything. This verily, is an evident grace (from Allah)." (Qur'an 27:16)

This inheritance did not include his father's wealth, for the property of the Prophets cannot be inherited by his family or relatives, it is given to the poor and needy just as the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) said: "We Prophets cannot be inherited from; whatever we leave behind is charity."(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

When Sulaiman became king, he begged Allah for a kingdom such that none after him would have, and Allah granted his wish. Besides wisdom, Allah blessed Sulaiman(A.S) with many abilities. He could command the winds, and understand and talk to birds and animals. He had authority over both the jinn-kind and man-kind. Allah directed him to teach both men and jinns to mine the earth and extract its minerals to make tools and weapons. Allah also endowed him with a mine of copper, which was a rare metal in those days.

          ‡Sulaiman Admiration Of Horses‡

 Allah said in the Holy Qur'an: And to Dawud We gave Sulaiman. How excellent a servant! He was ever turning in repentance to Us. When they were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well-trained horses of the highest breed. He said: "Alas! I did love the good(the horses) instead of the service of my Lord." till the time was over and the sun had hidden in the veil of the night. Then he said: " return them to me."Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their neck. (Qur'an 38:30-33)

During his time, horses were the common means of transportation. They were very essential for defense, carrying soldiers and carts,  provisions, and weapons of war. The animals were well cared for and well trained.

One day, Sulaiman, upon him be peace, was reviewing a parade of his stable. The fitness, beauty, and posture of the horses fascinated him so much that he kept stroking and admiring them until the time for Asr prayer had come.  He was so much carried away with what he was doing not realizing what time of the day it was. The sun was nearly setting and the time for middle prayer was passing by when he realized this, he exclaimed: "I surely love the finer things of life instead of remembering my lord." Till the time was over and the sun had hidden in the veil of the night. Then out of anger, he said: "Bring them back to me."Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks out of love for them till the end of the display.

Then he said: "No! By Allah, you will not keep me from worshipping my lord again." Then he ordered that they should be slaughtered. Their necks and hamstring were struck with a sword. It was said that he patted the horse's head and leg out of love and sympathy for them because he would not punish an animal by cutting its hamstrings or destroy his own wealth for no other reason than that he had been distracted from his prayer by looking at it, and it was not the animal's fault.

                ‡Allah's Gifts To Sulaiman‡

Allah said in the Glorious Qur'an, And indeed We did try Sulaiman and We placed on his throne Jasadan(a devil) so he lost his kingdom for a while but he did return to his throne and kingdom by the Grace of Allah and he did return to Allah with obedience and in repentance. (Qur'an 38:34)

He said: "My Lord! Forgive me and bestow upon me a kingdom such that shall not belong to any other after me. Verily, You are the bestower."Meaning that no one else in this world would have such a kingdom, such might, such authority that was bestowed upon Sulaiman, peace be upon him. In some narrations, it was said that it meant none shall have the right to ask for such after him. And Allah knows best. (Qur'an 38:35)

It was recorded that, when Sulaiman, peace be upon him, slaughtered the horses out of anger for the sake of Allah, Allah compensated him with something better and swifter.  So We subjected to him, the wind; it blew gently by his order wherever he willed. And also the shayatin(devils) from among the jinns, including every kind of builder and diver. And also others bound in fetters. (Qur'an 38:36-38)

Among the jinns were the ones he used to build high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and cauldrons fixed in their place, and other difficult tasks that humans were unable to do. And there was another group who dived into the sea, recovering pearls, jewels, and other precious things which cannot be found anywhere else. And there were a group that were tied up and chained, for they rebelled and refused to work, or else their work was bad and they were wrongdoers. 

Allah said to Sulaiman: " This is Our gift, So spend you or withhold, no account will be asked."And verily, he enjoyed a near access to Us and a good final return (paradise). He was given kingship and perfect power as he had asked for. And that he may give to whomever he wished and deny whomever he wished, he shall not be brought to account for it.  Whatever he did was permissible for him, so however he judged, it would be right. (Qur'an 38:39,40)

It was narrated that he, Sulaiman would enjoy the goodness of this world and also in the hereafter. Such eminence bestowed on Sulaiman was unmatched. He was richer and more powerful than the kings before him and after him. None had been given such that he had been given.

                ‡ Sulaiman Heard The Ant‡

One day Sulaiman gathered his army of jinn, men, birds, and other animals and he rode with them in a display of glory. The people and jinns paraded behind him while the birds flew above his head. When it was hot, they would shade him with their wings. And there were gathered before Sulaiman his hosts of Jinn and men, and birds, and they all were set in a battle order(marching forward)(Qur'an 27:17)

He marched them to the city of Ashkelon. While they were passing through the valley of ants, an ant saw the approaching army and cried out to warn the other ants, saying; "O ants! Enter into your dwellings, lest Sulaiman and his armies might crush you while they perceive not." Then Sulaiman smiled, amused at her speech, upon hearing the cry of the ant. He was glad that the ant knew him to be a Prophet who would not intentionally harm Allah's creation. He thanked Allah for saving the ant's lives and said: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I might be grateful for your favours which you have bestowed on me and my parents and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants." (Qur'an 27: 18,19)

              ‡Sulaiman and The Hoopoe‡

Prophet Sulaiman(A.S) travels in Jerusalem, on a huge rock. He built a beautiful temple to draw people to worship Allah. Today this building is known as 'The Dome of the Rock.' From there, a large band of followers join Sulaiman on a pilgrimage to the Holy mosque in Mecca. After they had completed their Hajj, they travelled to Yemen and arrived in the city of San'a. Sulaiman was impressed by their clever method of channeling water all over the cities. He was keen to build similar water systems in his own country but did not have enough springs.

The Hoopoe used to bring information to Sulaiman. The Hoopoe is an old-world bird who was an expert who used to show Sulaiman where water was when he was out in the open land and needed water. The Hoopoe would look for water for him in various strata of the earth. When the Hoopoe looked at the surface of the earth, it would know how far below the surface the water was. When the Hoopoe showed him where the water was, Sulaiman would command the Jinn to dig in that place until it brought forth water from the depth of the earth. 

One day Sulaiman went to check up on the birds, but could not see the Hoopoe. He inspected the birds and said: "What is the matter that I see not the Hoopoe or is he among the absentees?" Out of anger, Sulaiman declared that: "I will surely punish him with a severe torment,  or slaughter him unless he brings me a clear reason as to his absence." (Qur'an 27: 20,21)

 When the Hoopoe came back the other birds said to him: "What kept you? Sulaiman has vowed to shed your blood." Then the Hoopoe said: "Did he make any exception?" They said: "Yes he did. He said unless you have a good reason for your absence, he will severely punish you." The Hoopoe said: "Then I'm safe." 

The hoopoe eventually went to Sulaiman( A.S) to explain the reason for its delay.

               ‡The Queen of Saba(Sheba)‡

The Hoopoe stayed not long, he came before Sulaiman and said to him: "I have discovered something of which you are not aware. I have come from Saba (Sheba) with important news." Upon hearing this, Sulaiman became inquisitive and his anger subsided. 

The bird continued. "I found a woman ruling over them," This was Bilqis bint Sharahil, The Queen of Saba. "She has been given all things, including a splendid throne." It added. (Qur'an 27: 22,23)

The queen of Saba had a tremendous throne, adorned with gold and all sorts of Jewels and pearls. This throne was in a great and strong palace which was high and firmly constructed. In it, there were three hundred and sixty windows on the east side and a similar number on the west. It was constructed in such a way that each day when the sun rose it would shine through one window, and when it set it would shine through the opposite window. And the people used to prostrate to the sun, morning and evening. 

This is why the hoopoe said: "I found her and her people worshiping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaytan has made their deeds seem fair to them to prevent them from the way of truth, so they have no guidance." (Qur'an 27: 24)

After hearing the Hoopoe's side of the story, Sulaiman said to it: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are one of the liars." 

To check if the Hoopoe's information was accurate, he sent a letter to the Queen with the bird, saying: "Go with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them," Then he instructed the bird to stay hidden and watch everything. " then draw back from them and see what they return." 

The Hoopoe carried the letter in his beak, he flew to their land and found the palace of the Bilqis. Then he went to her private chambers and threw the letter through a small window, dropping the letter in front of the Queen. Then he stepped to one side out of good manners. Bilqis was amazed and confused when she saw that. She went and picked up the letter, opened the seal, and read it. Meanwhile, the bird had flown away to hide. 

After she had read the letter and digested its content, she was very disturbed and then she summoned her advisors, gathered her commanders, ministers, and the leaders of her land, and said to them: "O Chiefs! Verily here is delivered to me a noble letter." She described it as such because of the wondrous things she had seen, that it was delivered by a bird who threw it to her, then stood aside out of good manners. That was something that no king could do.

Then she read the letter to them: "Verily, it is from Sulaiman and verily! it reads: In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, and the Most Merciful; be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims." This letter was the most in brevity, eloquence, and coming straight to the point. (Qur'an 27:27-31)

 They felt that someone was challenging them, hinting at war and defeat, and asking them to submit to his conditions. Thus, they knew that it was from Allah's Prophet, Sulaiman, upon him be peace and that they could not match him.

The disturbed Queen turned to her advisors and said to them: "O chiefs! Advise me in this case of mine, I decide no case till you are present with me." They told her that they could only offer advice, It was her right to command action. They said: "We have great strength and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command." With that, she sensed that they wanted to meet Sulaiman's invasion threat with a battle. However, she told them that peace and friendship are better and wiser, war only brings humiliation, enslaved people, and destroyed good things. 

She said: "Verily, kings, when they enter a town, they destroy it and make the most honorable among them the lowest. But verily, I am going to send him a present and see what the messengers return."She decided to send gifts to Sulaiman, selected from their most precious treasures. The courtiers who will deliver the gifts will have an opportunity to learn about Sulaiman and his military might. It was said that she sent him a huge gift of gold, jewels, pearls, and other things unmentioned. (Qur'an 27: 32-35)

When Sulaiman's reconnaissance team brought him the news of the arrival of Bilqis's messengers with a gift. He immediately realized that the Queen had sent her men on a probing mission. Thus, he gave others to rally the army. The envoys of Bilqis, entering amidst the well-equipped army, realized that their wealth was nothing in comparison to that of the kingdom of Sulaiman's palace floors which were made of sandalwood and inlaid with Gold. They noticed Sulaiman surveying his army and they were surprised at the numbers and variety of soldiers which included lions, tigers, and birds. The messengers stood in amazement, realizing that they were in front of an irresistible army. The envoys marveled at the splendor surrounding them. They eagerly presented their queen's precious gifts and told Sulaiman that the Queen wished that he would accept them as an act of friendship.

 They were shocked by his reaction. He did not even ask them to open the covers of the container. It was apparent that Sulaiman, peace be upon him, did not even look at what they brought at all and did not pay any attention to it and he turned away and rebuked them, saying: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gifts." So he rejected the queen's gift. He also directed them to take the gifts back to the Queen and tell her that if she did not stop her kind of worship he would uproot her kingdom and drive its people out of the land. "Go back to them! We shall come to them with armies that they can't resist and we shall drive them out of there disgraced, and they will be abased." (Qur'an 27: 36,37)

The messengers came back to her with her undelivered gifts and told her what Sulaiman said. They also told her of the wonderful things that they had seen. Instead of taking offense, she decided to visit Sulaiman. She knew that she was more than a king and that they had no power to match him and that they would gain nothing in being stubborn with him. So she sent words to him, saying: "I'm coming to you with the leaders of my people to see what you will instruct us to do and what you are calling us to of your religion." She and her people paid heed and obeyed him, sending a message ahead to inform Sulaiman that she was on her way to meet him. When Sulaiman, peace be upon him, realized that they were coming, he rejoiced greatly. 

Then she issued a command that her throne which was made of gold and inlaid with rubies, chrysolites, and pearls should be placed in the innermost of seven rooms, one within the other and all the doors should be locked. Then she told her deputy, one whom she was leaving in charge: "Take care of my people and my throne,  and do not let anyone approach it or see it until I come back to you." 

Then accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she set off to meet Sulaiman with twelve thousand of her commanders from Yemen, under each of whose command were many thousands of men. Sulaiman, upon him be peace, sent Jinns to bring news of her progress and route every day and night, then when she drew near, he gathered together the jinns and humans who were under his control and said to them: "O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience."  He waited whether anyone among them could bring her throne before she arrived. (Qur'an 27:38)

Then an Ifrit( the strong ones) among the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place. And verily, I am indeed strong and trustworthy for such work." Sulaiman did not react to this offer; it appeared that he was waiting for a faster means. The jinns competed with each other to please him. It seemed Sulaiman wanted to bring this throne before Bilqis's arrival as a demonstration of the power and authority that Allah had bestowed upon him. So that will furnish the proof of his Prophethood before Bilqis and her people. (Qur'an 27:39)

With that when Sulaiman, upon him be peace said: "I want it faster than that." The one with whom was the knowledge of scriptures said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye." This was Asif bin Barkhiya, he was the scribe of Sulaiman. He was a human and a truthful believer who knew the greatest names of Allah. No sooner had the one who had knowledge finished the statement than the throne stood in front of Sulaiman before he even lifted his gaze. 

Then when he saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the grace of my Lord, to test me whether I am ungrateful or grateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for himself and whoever is ungrateful, certainly my Lord is rich and bountiful." (Qur'an 27:40)

Indeed, the mission was completed within the blinking of an eye. Sulaiman's seat was in Palestine, while the Queen's throne had been in Yemen, two thousand miles away. This was a great miracle performed by one of those sitting with Sulaiman.   

                   ‡The Queen's Visit‡

After the throne was brought to him, he issued an order to alter some of the features of the throne. He did that so he could test her, and see whether she would recognize it and how composed she would be when she saw it. Would she hasten to say that it was her throne or that it was not, so he said: "Disguise her throne for her so that we may see whether she will be guided or she will be one of those not guided."(Qur'an 27: 41)

When Bilqis arrived at Sulaiman's palace, she was welcomed with pomp and ceremony. Then pointing at the altered throne, Sulaiman asked her: "Is your throne like this?" Then she gazed upon it scrutinizing it and saw that some things had been added and others taken away from it. It was even reported that the throne was turned upside down. In her mind, she was convinced that her throne could not possibly be the one, but she saw a striking similarity.

She was wise, intelligent, and strong-willed. She didn't hasten to say yes to the question, nor did she hasten to say no because she was far from the throne. Seeing its distorted state, she said: "It is as though it were the very one." (Qur'an 27:42)

Upon hearing that which she had said, Sulaiman, upon him be peace, resolved to say: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we had submitted to Allah as Muslims. And what prevented her from worshipping Allah alone, was that which she used to worship besides Allah, for she was of a disbelieving people." (Qur'an 27: 43)

Sulaiman judged her to be very intelligent and diplomatic. He then invited her into a great hall to show her the greatness of his authority and power. He commanded the jinns to build her a huge structure made of glass underneath which water flowed and the floor of which was shimmering. It was said that anyone who did not understand the nature of this building would think that it was water, but in fact, there was a layer of glass between a person walking and the water. 

And it was said to her, "Enter As-sarh(a lofty glass palace)" but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and for the fear of wetting her garment, she tucked up her clothes slightly as she stepped on the floor, uncovering the lower part of her legs. Sulaiman pointed out to her that it was made of solid glass saying: "verily, it is Sarh ( a glass surface with water underneath it) paved smooth with slab of glass." She was amazed. She had never seen such a thing before. Bilqis realized that she was in the company of a very knowledgeable person who was not only a ruler of a great kingdom but a messenger of Allah as well. Upon her realization, she said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself and I submit, together with Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of all that exists." (Qur'an 27: 44)

After she entered the Sarh, she declared her Islam. Bilqis, the Queen of Saba repented, gave up sun worshipping, and accepted Allah as her one and only Lord, and she asked her people to do the same. The queen saw her people's creed fall apart before Sulaiman, upon him be peace. Then she realized that the sun which her people used to worship was nothing but one of Allah's creations. 

The sun eclipsed within her for the first time and her heart was lit up by a never-fading light, the light of Islam. 

          ‡Sulaiman and The Jinns‡

Sulaiman's public work was largely carried out by the jinns. This was their punishment for making people believe that they were all powerful, knew the unseen,  and could foresee the future. As a Prophet, it was Sulaiman's duty to remove such false beliefs from his followers.    

They follow what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman.(Qur'an 2:102). During the time of Prophet Sulaiman, beforehand, the devils used to ascend to heaven and eavesdrop on the conversations of the angels about what will occur on earth regarding death, other incidents or unseen matters. They would convey this news to the soothsayers and the soothsayers would in turn convey the news to the people. The people would believe what the soothsayers told them to be true.

When the soothsayers trusted the devils, the devils started to lie to them and added other words to the true news that they heard, to the extent of adding seventy false words to each true word.  The people recorded these words in some books. Soon after the children of Israel said that the jinns knew the unseen. 

When Sulaiman, peace be upon became a Prophet, he collected these books in a box and buried it under his throne; any devil that dared to come near the box was burned. Sulaiman said, "I will not hear of anyone who says that the devils know the unseen, but I will cut off his head."

When Sulaiman died and the scholars who knew the truth about Sulaiman perished, there came another generation. To them, the devil materialized in the shape of a human and said to some of the children of Israel, "Should I lead you to treasure that you will never be able to use up?" They said: "Yes" 

He went with them to Sulaiman's palace and showed them his throne, then he said: "Dig under this throne," But he could not come any closer, so they said to him "Come closer." The satan said: "No, I will wait for you here, and if you do not find the treasure then kill me."

They dug and found the buried books and satan said to them; "Sulaiman controlled the humans, Jinns and birds with this magic." Thereafter the news that Sulaiman, peace be upon him, was a sorcerer spread among the people and the children of Israel adopted these books. 

                  ‡Sulaiman's Death‡

"And We caused a fount of molten brass to flow for him, there were Jinns that worked in front of him by the leave of his lord, and whoever of them turned aside from our command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing fire. They work for him what he desired, making high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and making cauldrons fixed in their places. Work you, O family of Dawud, with thanks! But few of my slaves are grateful. When we decreed death for him (Sulaiman), nothing informed them( jinns ) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which slowly  kept 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. (34: 12-14)

Sulaiman lived amidst glory, and all the creatures were subjected to him. Then Allah, the Exalted ordained for him to die. His life and death were full of wonders and miracles: hence,  his death harmonised with his life and glory.  His death, like his life, was unique. The people had to learn that the future is known neither by the jinns not by the Prophets, but by Allah alone.  Sulaiman's effort in this direction did not end with his life, for even his death became an example. 

He was sitting holding his staff, overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position as mentioned in the above verse. 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 Sulaiman, peace be upon him, was watching over them. Many days later, a hungry termite began nibbling Sulaiman's staff. It continued to do so, eating the lower part of the staff, until it fell out of Sulaiman's hand, and his body fell to the ground. They hurried to him and realized that he had died a long time ago. This helped the people to realized that the jinns did not perceive the unseen, for had the jinns did know the unseen, they would have known Prophet Sulaiman had died and they would not continue working thinking that he was still alive, watching over them. 

Prophet Sulaiman was a great King, whose reign was one of a kind. He lived and died just like every of his kind that came before and after him.

Allah blessed whom He wills and we all are at the mercy of our Lord. However powerful you are, however wealthy you are, and however blessed you are when your term in this world is over, you shall return to the Almighty Creator, for from Allah we come from and to Allah we shall return.

If not that death is inevitable, we would have met the Prophets, peace be upon them in this world. Let this be a reminder to us all, that "Every soul shall taste death."

And when the hour comes and the trumpet is blown, everything shall perish. Verily, everything that has a beginning shall have an end, only Allah, the Exalted and the Glorified is an exception to this rule. So glorify Allah, He is the greatest. 

★THE END★