Prophet Sulayman (Solomon): Kingdom, Wisdom, and Dominion

Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, peace be upon him) was the son and successor of Prophet Dawud. Allah granted him a kingdom unlike any before or after him. When Sulayman asked Allah, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower" (Quran 38:35), Allah answered his prayer. He was given power over the jinn, the wind, and the ability to understand the speech of animals and birds. Despite all this, Sulayman remained a humble servant of Allah and used his extraordinary gifts in obedience to his Lord.

Dominion Over Jinn and Wind

The Quran describes Sulayman's authority over the jinn: "And of the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord" (Quran 34:12). The jinn built for him "arches, statues, basins like reservoirs, and fixed cauldrons" (Quran 34:13). He also commanded the wind: "So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed" (Quran 38:36). The wind carried his throne and armies vast distances. These extraordinary powers were tests from Allah, and Sulayman recognized them as such: "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful" (Quran 27:40).

The Queen of Sheba (Bilqis)

One of the most detailed narratives in Sulayman's story is his encounter with the Queen of Sheba (known in Islamic tradition as Bilqis). Sulayman learned of her kingdom through the hoopoe bird (hudhud), who reported that she and her people worshipped the sun instead of Allah (Quran 27:22-24). Sulayman sent her a letter inviting her to Islam. When she came to visit, he demonstrated his God-given power by having her throne transported from Yemen to Palestine in an instant. Upon seeing this and walking over a palace floor made of crystal (which she mistook for water), she recognized the truth: "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulayman to Allah, Lord of the worlds" (Quran 27:44).

Lessons from Sulayman's Story

Sulayman's story teaches several profound lessons. Power and wealth are not inherently corrupting when accompanied by gratitude to Allah. Authority over creation is a trust (amanah) to be used for justice and calling to Allah, not for personal aggrandizement. Sulayman's humility was constant: despite ruling over humans, jinn, animals, and the wind, he prostrated to Allah and attributed everything to divine favor. His death itself was a lesson: he died while leaning on his staff, and the jinn continued working, not realizing he had passed until a termite ate through the staff and his body fell. The Quran notes: "When he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment" (Quran 34:14).