Prophet Sulayman (AS) - The Kingdom of Wisdom
Learn about Prophet Sulayman (AS), his miraculous kingdom, and his control over wind, jinn, and animals.
Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) was the son of Prophet Dawud (AS). Allah gave him a magnificent kingdom that no one before or after ever had. Allah subjected the wind to Sulayman — it would carry him and his army wherever he wanted in one month's journey. Allah also gave him control over the jinn, who built palaces, statues, and pools for him. Sulayman (AS) could understand the language of animals and birds. Once, an ant warned its colony to hide so Sulayman's army wouldn't crush them. Sulayman smiled at the ant's words and thanked Allah. Another time, a hoopoe bird (hudhud) informed Sulayman about the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) and her people who worshipped the sun. Sulayman invited her to Islam, and she accepted, saying: 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulayman to Allah.' Despite his vast power, Sulayman always credited Allah and was grateful.
Qur'an Verses
وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ
Wa-waritha Sulaymanu Dawuda
Translation: And Sulayman inherited Dawud.
قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ
Qala rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka
Translation: He said: 'My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor.'
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When Sulayman son of Dawud was building Bayt al-Maqdis, he asked Allah for three things: judgment that accords with His judgment, a kingdom such as no one after him would have, and that no one should pray in this mosque intending only Allah without being forgiven.' The Prophet said: 'The first two were given, and I hope the third is also given.'
Explanation
This hadith shows Sulayman's wisdom in asking Allah for beneficial things — true judgment, a unique kingdom, and forgiveness for those who worship sincerely.
Power and wealth are gifts from Allah. Sulayman (AS) used his gifts to serve Allah and call others to the truth. True wisdom is gratitude.
- 1.What did Allah subject to Sulayman?
- 2.What bird served Sulayman?
- 3.What did Sulayman ask Allah for?
1. What did the jinn do for Sulayman?
2. Is Sulayman mentioned in the Quran?
3. What happened when Sulayman died?
4. What did Sulayman build (according to hadith)?
5. What did Bilqis and her people worship?
6. What does 'Hudhud' refer to?
7. Which ant spoke and Sulayman understood?
8. Did Sulayman credit himself for his power?
9. What did Bilqis say when she accepted Islam?
10. What lesson do we learn from Sulayman?
11. Which bird informed Sulayman about the Queen of Sheba?
12. Was Sulayman a prophet?
13. What did Sulayman ask Allah for?
14. What did Sulayman inherit from Dawud?
15. What did Sulayman's story teach about power?
16. Did Sulayman have a unique kingdom?
17. Was Sulayman grateful to Allah?
18. What was the Queen of Sheba's name?
19. Did Sulayman mistreat the ant colony?
20. Did Bilqis accept Sulayman's message?
21. Who was Prophet Sulayman's father?
22. What could the wind do for Sulayman?
23. What special ability did Sulayman have?
24. What did Allah subject to Sulayman?
25. How did Sulayman react to the ant?
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