THE STORY OF PROPHET SULAIMAN (PBUH)
Sulaiman was the son of Prophet Dawud (David). Dawud was the wise king of Israel and a noble prophet of Allah (SWT). Sulaiman learned from his father’s great knowledge and insight and often joined his father in hearings. He was an observer and learned from him and contributed occasionally to the discussion.
One day, Prophet Dawud gathered his 19 sons before the chieftains and academics of his kingdom. He then asked the following questions:
- Which thing is closest (closest) to humans?
- What’s the furthest thing?
- What two things are connected?
- What’s the most awe-inspiring thing?
- Which two things remain unchanged?
- Which two things are always different?
- What two things are opposite to each other?
- What is the action whose result is good?
- What is that act whose result is bad?
The sons of Prophet Dawud became confused and could not answer these questions. The youngest of the sons, Sulaiman stood up and gave the following answers:
- The closest thing to a human being is the afterlife (Life and Death – as one may die at any moment);
- The most distant is the time that has passed (and will come no more);
- The two things joined together is the body of man with the soul;
- The most awe-inspiring thing is the body of man (death) without soul;
- The two things that remain the same are heaven and earth;
- The two things that are different are the day and the night;
- The two opposites are life and death;
- The act — the end of which is good — is patience and forbearance in the moment of wrath;
- The act whose end is evil is almost at the moment of anger.
Impressed by these answers, Prophet Dawud appointed his son Sulaiman to take charge after his death. Thus, in time, Sulaiman inherited the kingdom of Israel and was chosen by Allah to continue his Prophethood. He begged his Lord for a kingdom that would belong to no one after him. Allah fulfilled his wish and bestowed upon him many miracles such as the ability to control the wind, which he used to travel at incredible speeds; the jinn under his command and a copper mine with which he made weapons. He was even blessed with the ability to communicate with animals.
Prophet Sulaiman and his battalion of men, jinns and birds, “came into the valley of the ants, an ant said: ‘O ants, enter your dwellings lest you be crushed by Sulaiman and his soldiers while they do not perceive it.’ Then [Solomon], amused by her speech, smiled and said: “My Lord, let me be thankful for Your favor which You have shown me and my parents, and let me do good deeds which You approve. And by Thy mercy make me one of Thy righteous servants. Surah Naml Ayat 18-19
In his mission as a prophet of Allah, Sulaiman built a prominent place of worship – the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. From there, Sulaiman and his followers made a pilgrimage to Makkah. After their Hajj, they traveled to Yemen, where Sulaiman witnessed the Yemenis’ incredible water channeling mechanism. He wished to emulate this system in his own country, but knew they lacked sufficient resources. Determined to find a way, Sulaiman set out in search of the hoopoe bird, which had the ability to detect underground water. But the bird was nowhere to be seen. Sulaiman, growing more and more impatient, exclaimed, “Why don’t I see the hoopoe, or is it with the absent? I will surely punish him with severe torture, or slaughter him, unless he gives me a clear reason!
Soon the hoopoe returned to its master with great news. But the hoopoe did not stay long, and said, “I have understood what you did not know, and I have come to you with certain news from Sheba. Verily I found a woman to rule them, and all things were given to her, and she hath a great throne. I found her and her people, while they prostrated themselves before the sun instead of Allah, and Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and turned them from [His] way, that they be not guided, [and] they turn not bow down to Allah, Who brings forth that which is hid in the heavens and in the earth, and Who knows what you conceal and what you declare – Allah – there is no deity but Him, the Lord of the Great Throne.” Surah Naml Ayat 22-26
Prophet Sulaiman said: “We will see whether you spoke the truth or were of the liars. Take this letter from me and hand it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return.” Surah Naml Ayat 27-28
Bilkis (Belkis)
The hoopoe bird flew back to the palace of Bilkis (Belkis) and dropped Sulaiman’s letter before her. He soon hid and watched what happened. When she had noticed the letter, Bilkis began to read it: “Verily! He’s from Solomon. It says: “In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the especially Merciful, do not be proud of me, but come to me as Muslims.”
Bilkis immediately summoned her leaders and asked for their advice. They replied, “We have great strength and great power to make war, but it is yours to command; so think about what you will command.” However, Bilkis was not in favor of war, as they did not know the size of Sulaiman’s army. She replied: “Verily! Kings, when they enter a city, they maim it, and debase the first among its people.” She decided, as a token of friendship, to send Sulaiman some valuable gifts through her messengers, who could also bring back information about Sulaiman’s army.
Sulaiman immediately learned of Bilkis’s reply through the hops. He decided to show the might of his army to her messengers. When the messengers arrived, the entire army of Sulaiman, complete with animals such as lions and tigers, birds, humans and jinn, gathered before them. The messengers of Bilkis were indeed astonished at the size and diversity of Sulaiman’s battalion. His incomparable strength was eminent.
