Sulayman

Peace be upon him

1. Knowledge and an ordered army

Allah gave Dawud and Sulayman knowledge, and they thanked Him. Sulayman was taught the language of birds. His army included people, jinn and birds, arranged in ranks.

References: Quran 27:15-17

2. The ant’s warning

When the army reached the valley of ants, one ant warned the others to enter their homes. She feared that Sulayman and his army might crush them without noticing. Sulayman understood her words.

References: Quran 27:18-19

3. A prayer of gratitude

Sulayman smiled and prayed for help to thank Allah for His blessings upon him and his parents. He also asked to do deeds pleasing to Allah and to be included among His righteous servants.

References: Quran 27:19

4. The hoopoe brings news

Sulayman inspected the birds and noticed that the hoopoe was missing. When it returned, it reported news of Saba: a woman ruled the people and had a great throne, but she and her people worshipped the sun rather than Allah. Sulayman did not simply accept the report without checking. He said that he would see whether the bird had told the truth and sent a letter for it to deliver.

References: Quran 27:20-28

5. The queen reads the letter

The queen told her advisers about an honourable letter from Sulayman. It began in Allah’s name and called them not to act proudly but to come in submission. She consulted her leaders rather than deciding without them. They spoke of their strength, while she considered the harm war could bring. She decided to send a gift and wait for the response of her messengers.

References: Quran 27:29-35

6. Wealth does not replace the message

Sulayman refused to be diverted by the gift, explaining that Allah’s gifts to him were better than their wealth. Before the queen arrived, he asked who could bring her throne. It was brought by one who had knowledge from the Scripture. Sulayman immediately recognised it as a favour from his Lord and a test of gratitude. He did not claim that the power was independent of Allah.

References: Quran 27:36-40

7. Recognising the truth

The throne was altered, and the queen was asked whether it resembled hers. She recognised its likeness. She then entered a palace whose glass floor she mistook for water, until Sulayman explained it. At the end she acknowledged having wronged herself and submitted with Sulayman to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Quran does not name the queen in this passage, and it does not narrate a marriage here.

References: Quran 27:41-44

What can we learn?

Notice small creatures and thank Allah.

A learning takeaway, not a quotation from the Quran.

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All source references

This is an original, simplified retelling of selected Quranic accounts and sahih narrations, not a word-for-word translation or a complete biography. Each section links to its sources. Any tafsir explanation is labelled separately. Where the cited sources give less detail, the account remains shorter. The final takeaway is a learning activity.