📜 Basic Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sulaymān (Solomon) – عليه السلام |
| Father | Prophet Dāwūd (David) – عليه السلام |
| Mentioned In | Qur’an: Surah An-Naml, Saba’, Al-Anbiyā’, Sād, and others |
| Title | Prophet-King, Wise Ruler |
| Unique Blessings | Spoke to animals, ruled over jinn and wind, wise judgement |
| Legacy | A just ruler who submitted all his power to Allah |
👑 Inheriting Wisdom and Kingdom
Sulaymān (AS) was the son of Prophet Dāwūd (AS) and inherited his kingship and prophethood. But he surpassed many others by being given divine miracles unlike any other prophet before him.
“And Sulaymān inherited Dāwūd, and he said, ‘O people, we have been taught the language of birds and been given from all things. Indeed, this is a clear favor.’”
[Surah An-Naml 27:16]
He was not only a ruler but also a just and wise judge, even from a young age.
⚖️ The Famous Case: Sheep vs Field
A well-known story shows Sulaymān’s wisdom even as a youth. Two men came to his father, Dāwūd (AS), to settle a dispute: one man’s sheep had grazed and ruined the other’s crops. Dāwūd ruled that the sheep should be given in compensation.
But Sulaymān (AS) suggested a better judgment:
Let the owner of the field take the sheep’s milk and wool temporarily, while the shepherd repaired the field. Once restored, both would get their property back.
This wise and balanced judgement showed Allah’s divine favor upon him.
🐦 Language of Animals & Control Over Nature
One of the greatest blessings given to Sulaymān (AS) was the ability to understand and communicate with animals:
“And gathered for Sulaymān were his soldiers of jinn, men, and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.”
[Surah An-Naml 27:17]
He once smiled when he overheard an ant warning others about his approaching army:
“Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, ‘O ants, enter your dwellings so that Sulaymān and his soldiers do not crush you while they are unaware.’ So he smiled in amusement at her speech…”
[Surah An-Naml 27:18–19]
This moment shows his humility, gratitude, and compassion even for the smallest creatures.
🌪️ Control of the Wind and Jinn
Allah also gave Sulaymān command over the wind, which could carry him and his armies swiftly across vast lands:
“And to Sulaymān We subjected the wind — its morning [journey] was a month, and its afternoon a month…”
[Surah Saba’ 34:12]
He was also granted authority over the jinn, who worked for him by Allah’s permission — building palaces, diving into seas, and making incredible constructions.
“And of the devils were those who dived for him and did other work besides that. And We were watching over them.”
[Surah Al-Anbiyā’ 21:82]
🏰 The Story of Queen Bilqis (Sheba)
One of the most famous episodes in Sulaymān’s story is his encounter with Bilqīs, the Queen of Sheba:
- He received a report from the Hoopoe bird (Hudhud) about her kingdom worshipping the sun instead of Allah.
- Sulaymān sent her a letter, inviting her to submit to Allah.
- Bilqīs came to visit him, and he had her throne transported miraculously before her arrival.
- To test her intelligence and humility, he disguised her throne, and she recognized it.
She was deeply impressed by his wisdom and power, and eventually embraced Islam:
“She said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulaymān to Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”
[Surah An-Naml 27:44]
This story reflects how Sulaymān used his power not to dominate, but to guide others to truth.
🏗️ Legacy of Architecture and Worship
Sulaymān (AS) is also believed to have overseen the construction of the great temple in Jerusalem — known in Islamic tradition as Bayt al-Maqdis. It became a place of worship and spiritual heritage.
According to Hadith, he asked Allah for three things:
- A judgment that matches His will.
- A kingdom no one after him would have.
- That anyone who comes to pray at the temple with pure intention be forgiven.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that all three were granted.
🪦 Death of Sulayman (AS)
Sulaymān (AS) died while standing in worship, leaning on his staff. His death was not known to the jinn who continued working, until a worm ate his staff, and his body fell:
“And when We decreed for him death, nothing indicated to the jinn his death except a creature of the earth eating his staff…”
[Surah Saba’ 34:14]
This showed that the jinn did not possess knowledge of the unseen, contrary to the beliefs of many.
🌟 Lessons from the Life of Sulayman (AS)
| Lesson | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gratitude for blessings | Despite his power, he always thanked Allah. |
| Justice with humility | He ruled with fairness and listened even to ants. |
| Knowledge used for good | He used his gifts to spread truth, not pride. |
| Dawah through wisdom | He invited others like Queen Bilqīs gently and wisely. |
| Power is a trust | Authority should be exercised in obedience to Allah. |
🏛️ Summary of Prophet Sulayman (AS)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Known For | Prophet-king, wisdom, miracles, dawah |
| Miracles | Spoke to animals, controlled wind and jinn |
| Famous Story | Queen of Sheba (Bilqīs) |
| Character | Just, humble, wise, grateful |
| Legacy | A kingdom ruled by divine law and submission |
Prophet Sulaymān (AS) reminds us that knowledge, power, and wealth are not ends in themselves, but gifts from Allah to be used in service of His Deen. His life is a shining example of what it means to be a servant-leader, devoted entirely to Allah despite possessing the world.
