Juz 19: Al-Furqān 21 to An-Naml 55
Section 18 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Hoopoe Bird and Queen of Sheba
Among the most fascinating narratives in the Quran is the encounter between Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon him) and the Queen of Sheba, a story that illustrates the perfect integration of worldly authority and divine guidance. This remarkable incident begins with Prophet Sulaiman inspecting his vast army, which comprised humans, jinn, and birds—all arranged in perfect order and discipline.
During one such inspection, Sulaiman (peace be upon him) noticed the absence of the hoopoe bird (hud-hud), a particular bird that frequented his gatherings and appeared to have a special relationship with the Prophet. His immediate reaction reveals both his authority and attention to detail:
وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ
“And he (Sulaiman) inspected the birds and said, 'What is the matter that I do not see the hudhud (hoopoe)? Rather he has disappeared!'”
The Prophet's concern led him to promise a severe consequence unless the bird returned with a valid justification:
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
“I will punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him, unless he brings to me a clear plea.”
The hoopoe's absence was brief, however. It soon returned with remarkable intelligence that even the mighty Sulaiman (peace be upon him) was unaware of. The bird had discovered a powerful kingdom ruled by a queen in the land of Sheba (present-day Yemen), whose people had deviated from monotheistic worship:
إِنِّي وَجَدتُّ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ
“I have discovered a woman ruling over them, and she has been given of everything, and she has a great throne.”
What troubled the hoopoe most was their spiritual state:
وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
“I found her and her people prostrating to the sun, instead of Allah. And the Satan has made their deeds look good to them, and has prevented them from the way, so they do not take the right path.”
This discovery moved Sulaiman (peace be upon him) to action. He sent a letter to the Queen of Sheba—perhaps the most concise diplomatic communication in history. The letter, bearing the sacred formula that opens all but one surah of the Quran, was remarkably brief yet powerful:
إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“It is from Sulaiman, and it is (written) with the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.”
The message itself was equally concise but authoritative:
أَلَّا تَعْلُوا عَلَيَّ وَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ
“Do not be proud against me, and come to me in submission.”
The queen's response revealed her political wisdom. Rather than rushing to military action or immediate submission, she consulted her advisors:
قَالَتْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ إِنِّي أُلْقِيَ إِلَيَّ كِتَابٌ كَرِيمٌ
“She said, 'O chiefs, a noble letter has been delivered to me.'”
After deliberation, she decided to send gifts to test Sulaiman's intentions—a diplomatic strategy common among rulers. Sulaiman (peace be upon him), however, rejected these material offerings, declaring that Allah had granted him far superior wealth and power.
Recognizing the futility of material competition, the queen decided to come in person. Before her arrival, Sulaiman (peace be upon him) requested his court to bring her throne to Jerusalem—not as a demonstration of magical power but to establish divine authority. A knowledgeable person from his court brought the throne "in the blink of an eye," through Allah's power.
Upon her arrival, Sulaiman (peace be upon him) tested the queen with a subtle alteration to her throne, and then led her into his glass palace. Thinking the floor was water, she lifted her garment, only to discover it was crystal-clear glass. This experience, combined with Sulaiman's wisdom and authority, led to her ultimate recognition of Allah's sovereignty:
قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَأَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَيْمَانَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“She said, 'My Lord, indeed, I have wronged myself, and I submit with Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'”
This narrative demonstrates how Allah's prophets used their authority not for personal gain but to guide others to monotheism and submission to Allah (swt). Sulaiman's interaction with the Queen of Sheba exemplifies how wisdom, coupled with divine authority, can lead even powerful rulers to recognize the truth of tawhid (monotheism).