Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon)
10th century BCE (unified kingdom of Israel; traditional reign c. 970–930 BCE).
Sulaiman (Solomon) was the son of Dawud; he inherited prophethood and kingdom and asked Allah for a kingdom such as none after him would have. Allah gave him the wind, the jinn (builders and divers), and the ability to understand the speech of birds. The hoopoe brought him news of the Queen of Sheba and her people who worshipped the sun; Sulaiman sent her a letter inviting her to submission. She came; he had her throne brought before her and showed her a palace with a floor of glass; she declared: "I submit with Sulaiman to Allah, Lord of the worlds." He built the Temple (Bayt al-Maqdis) and ruled with justice. When he died he was leaning on his staff; the jinn did not know until a creature ate the staff and he fell.
"We gave to Dawud Sulaiman. How excellent a servant! Indeed he was one who repeatedly turned [to Allah]." (Sad 38:30) Sulaiman inherited prophethood and kingdom. He said: "My Lord, forgive me and give me a kingdom such as none after me will have; indeed You are the Bestower." (Sad 38:35) Allah gave him the wind, blowing by his command; and the jinn—among them every builder and diver. (Saba 34:12) He could understand the speech of birds. Once he reviewed the birds and missed the hoopoe. The hoopoe came and said: "I have come from Sheba with sure news. I found a woman ruling them; she has been given everything and has a great throne. She and her people prostrate to the sun instead of Allah." (An-Naml 27:22-24)
In this story
- Sulaiman’s kingdom and gifts
- The queen’s submission and Sulaiman’s death
- Valley of the ants
- Solomon's death
Where the Quran tells it
- Sad 38:30-40
- An-Naml 27
- Saba 34:12-14
- Al-Anbiya 21:78-82
- An-Nisa 4:163