The Inheritance of Kingship and Prophethood
“And We gave to Dawud, Sulayman. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].” (38:30)
Sulayman’s (AS) first quality in the Quranic introduction: awwab — one who repeatedly turns to Allah. Before his power is mentioned, his servitude is established. The Quran then relates his kingdom: he was given control over the winds (al-rih), the jinn (al-jinn), and the birds (al-tayr).
His prayer at receiving this kingdom — among the most beautiful prayers in the Quran:
“He said, ‘My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness of which You will approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.’” (27:19)
The prayer was prompted by his amusement at the ant’s warning. He smiled at the ant’s words — the recognition that he could hear it was already extraordinary; that he smiled in gratitude rather than indifference or pride shows the character that made him worthy of his gifts.
The Language of Birds — The Hoopoe Messenger
Sulayman (AS) reviewed his army of jinn, humans, and birds and noticed the Hudhud (hoopoe bird) was absent. He threatened: “I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization.” (27:21)
The Hudhud returned with remarkable intelligence: there was a kingdom, Saba’ (Sheba), ruled by a queen, Bilqis, who was wealthy and powerful — “and she has a great throne” (27:23) — but her people worshipped the sun instead of Allah.
Sulayman (AS) sent a letter with the hoopoe:
“Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].’” (27:30-31)
Bilqis — The Queen of Sheba’s Submission
Queen Bilqis consulted her advisors. They said they could fight; she decided to send gifts to test his true nature. Sulayman (AS) rejected the gifts completely: “‘But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you.’” (27:36)
He had her brought. One of those present who had ‘ilm min al-kitab (knowledge from the Book) brought her throne from Saba’ to Sulayman’s court “in the blink of an eye” (27:40) — before she arrived. When she came and saw her throne transformed, Sulayman’s court unveiled their wisdom:
“It was said to her, ‘Enter the palace.’ But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, ‘Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth of glass.’” (27:44)
The glass palace that looked like water: seeing clearly what seems like water but is not is a symbol used in Sufi and Ismaili ta’wil for the zahir that obscures the batin — the outer appearance that misleads those without the knowledge to see through it.
Bilqis immediately recognized the divine nature of what she faced: “She said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulayman to Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (27:44)
The Jinn’s Worship and Warning
“And of the jinn was he who worked before him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command — We would make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze. They made for him what he willed of elevated chambers, statues, bowls like reservoirs, and stationary kettles.” (34:12-13)
The jinn worked under Sulayman’s (AS) authority not of their own free will but by divine command — a significant theological point. It was not sorcery or demonic pact but divine permission that gave him this power.
His death and the jinn’s lesson: “And when We decreed for him death, nothing indicated to them his death except a creature of the earth eating his staff. But when he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.” (34:14)
Sulayman (AS) died leaning on his staff while in prayer. His body stood upright so long that the jinn continued working — not knowing he had died — until termites ate through the staff and he fell. The lesson the Quran draws: the jinn do not know the unseen (ghayb). Only Allah knows the hidden reality.
See also: Dawud Alayhis Salam, Prophets In Islam, Jinn In Islam, Tawil Esoteric Interpretation, Shaytan Iblis, Quran Sciences