In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

For sure, We granted knowledge to David and Solomon, and both of them said: “All praise is due to God who has favored us above many of His believing servants.”

Solomon inherited David. He said: “O people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and have been given of all good things. This is indeed a manifest favor (from God)”. The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 15-16)

In this passage we have a short reference to David before the surah begins a complete story of Solomon, coming immediately after the short account of Moses. All three were prophets sent to the Children of Israel. Yet these stories occur in a surah that opens with a description of the Qur’an. Later it says: “This Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree.” (Verse 76)

As related here, Solomon’s story provides far more details than anywhere else in the Qur’an, but it concentrates only on one episode that relates what he did with the hoopoe and with the Queen of Sheba. A preamble to the story quotes Solomon as he declares to all people that God has granted him the ability to talk to birds and understand their speech, and He has further given him of all things. He expresses his thanks to God for such clear favors He has bestowed on him. We then see him inspecting a procession that included humans, jinn and birds, before we note a warning given by one ant to its community lest they be stamped over. Solomon understands the ant’s discourse and again he expresses his gratitude to God. He realizes that such favors constitute a test, and he prays to God that he would be successful in this test.

These stories of Moses, David and Solomon are perhaps the most important in the history of the Children of Israel. They fit well with what the surah says in its opening about the Qur’an which, in turns, explains to the Children of Israel most of their disputes. But the present episode of the history of Solomon is especially fitting to the subject matter of the surah. This is clearly apparent in several instances. First, the whole surah lays great emphasis on knowledge. The first reference in the story of David and Solomon is: “We granted knowledge to David and Solomon.” (Verse 15) Solomon’s address begins with a reference to his knowledge of the language of the birds: “We have been taught the speech of birds.” (Verse 16) As the story progresses, the hoopoe presents his excuse for his absence: “I have just learned things that are unknown to you, and I come to you from Sheba with accurate information.” (Verse 22) Besides, the one who brings the queen’s throne to Solomon in no time is “the one who was deeply versed in the Book.” (Verse 40)

The surah opens with a reference to the Qur’an, God’s clear and elucidating book sent to the unbelievers, but they refuse to believe and adopt an incredulous attitude. In Solomon’s story we have a reference to Solomon’s epistle that is received by the Queen of Sheba. It does not take her long before she and her people declare their submission to God and believe in Him. She did so when she saw the superior powers given to Solomon, making the jinn, humans and birds subservient to him. But it was God who placed these and other powers under Solomon’s command. God has sway over all His creation, and He is the Lord of the truly magnificent throne.

The surah also looks at a variety of God’s favors granted to people, and a variety of His signs placed in the universe. It refers to the fact that He has placed man in charge of the earth but most men deny His signs and refuse to believe in Him or show their gratitude to Him. The story gives us an example of a truly grateful servant of God who appeals to his Lord to guide him to be truly thankful and grateful. Enjoyment of his favors does not corrupt his upright nature, nor does the power at his command lead him to tyranny or transgression. We see in all these clear links between the main theme of the surah and events of the story.

Solomon’s story with the Queen of Sheba is a very good example of Qur’anic art of story-telling. The story is full of movement and action, rich in feeling and scenery. Highlighting certain images in these scenes and separating them with suitable gaps are two more aspects of the unique method of the Qur’an.

“For sure, We granted knowledge to David and Solomon, and both of them said: All praise is due to God who has favored us above many of His believing servants.” (Verse 15)

This is the starting signal that opens the story. It reports on the most important favor God granted to David and Solomon (peace be upon them both). As for David, the details of what knowledge God imparted to him are given in other surahs. These include his fine and enchanting recitation of Psalms that was echoed by the universe around him. The mountains and the birds sang God’s praises with him because of the sweetness of his voice, his profound sincerity and deep feeling as he addressed his Lord. All barriers and impediments between him and the fine components of the universe were removed. He was skilled in making protective garments that were particularly useful in war. Iron and sharp, tough objects were softened for him so that he was able to use them the way he liked. He was also taught how to judge between people, which was a favor shared by Solomon as well.

We will begin next week, God willing, our commentary on the story of the Prophet Solomon as given in this surah.