The Kingdom Beyond Any Kingdom
Sulayman’s prayer (du’a’) in Surah Sad is unique in the Quran: a prophet explicitly asking for a kingdom that no one will share after him. It is not a prayer of selfishness — the scholars explain it as a recognition that such a kingdom would serve as a singular sign of Allah’s power, and that Sulayman understood the responsibility of holding it.
What was given:
- Command over the wind: it carried him east and west at his will (21:81)
- Command over the jinn: they built structures, dove in the sea, worked under his direction (34:12-13)
- The language of birds (mantiq al-tayr): he could understand what the birds said (27:16) — from this gift the hoopoe (hudhud) brought him intelligence about the Queen of Sheba
- The submission of armies: jinns, humans, and birds were mustered together (27:17)
The Queen of Sheba
The hoopoe (hudhud) reported to Sulayman: there is a woman ruling Sheba, she has a great throne, and she and her people worship the sun instead of Allah. Sulayman sent a letter with the bird: “Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it reads: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful — Do not be arrogant with me and come to me in submission.” (27:30-31)
Bilqis consulted her advisors, then chose to send gifts rather than war. Sulayman rejected the gifts. She came herself.
Before she arrived, Sulayman asked who could bring her throne — hundreds of miles away — before she reached him. An ‘ifrit (powerful jinn) offered: before the session ends. Another said: “I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.” (27:40) The throne appeared. Sulayman recognized this as a test of his gratitude.
When Bilqis saw the palace floor — made of smooth glass over water — she lifted her dress thinking it was water. Sulayman showed her the truth and she said: “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulayman to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (27:44)
The Test of the Throne
The Quran (38:34) describes a test: “And We certainly tried Sulayman and placed on his throne a body; then he returned [to Us].” The test is cryptic; commentators offer various interpretations. The key: he returned to Allah in repentance and gratitude, asking forgiveness. The pattern — bounty, test, return to Allah — is the Sulaymanic model.
See also: Quran Sciences, Nubuwwa Prophethood, Al Anbiya, Al Naml Surah, Farid Al Din Attar, Hikmat Al Ishraq