ورثَ سليمانُ النبوةَ والملكَ عن داود، ولم يكن هذا الميراثُ ماديًّا، إذ إن الأنبياءَ لا يُورِّثون أموالَهم. بل تُصرَف للفقراءِ والمحتاجين، لا لأقربائهم. وقال النبي ﷺ: «لا نُورَّثُ، ما تَرَكْنا صدقةٌ». (صحيح البخاري)

Solomon inherited David's prophethood and dominion. This was not a material inheritance, as prophets do not bequeath their property. It is given away to the poor and needy, not to their relatives. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "The prophets' property will not be inherited, and whatever we leave is to be used for charity." (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

{وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ عِلْمًا ۖ وَقَالَا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّنْ عِبَادِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ * وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ الطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْمُبِينُ * وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ} [النمل: 15-17].

"And indeed We gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!" And Solomon inherited (the knowledge of) David. He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allah)." And there were gathered before Solomon his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they were all set in battle order (marching forwards). (Ch 27:15-17 Quran).

بعد وفاة أبيه، صار سليمان ملكًا. فسأل الله أن يهبه ملكًا لا ينبغي لأحد من بعده، فاستجاب الله دعاءه. وإلى جانب الحكمة، كان الله قد أنعم على سليمان بقدرات كثيرة؛ فقد كان يستطيع أن يأمر الرياح، ويفهم لغة الطيور والحيوانات ويتحدث إليها. وأمره الله أن يعلّم الإنس والجن استخراج المعادن من باطن الأرض، وصهرها لصنع الأدوات والأسلحة. وأنعم عليه أيضًا بمنجم للنحاس، وكان هذا المعدن نادرًا في تلك الأيام.

After his father's death, Solomon became king. He begged Allah for a kingdom such as none after him would have, and Allah granted his wish. Besides wisdom, Allah had blessed Solomon with many abilities. He could command the winds and understand and talk to birds and animals. Allah directed him to teach both men and jinns to mine the earth and extract its minerals to make tools and weapons. He also favored him with a mine of copper, which was a rare metal in those days.

في زمانه كانت الخيول وسيلةَ النقل الشائعة. وكانت ضرورية جدًا للدفاع، ولحمل الجنود، ونقل المؤن والأسلحة الحربية. وكانت الحيوانات مُعتنًى بها جيدًا ومُدرَّبةً تدريبًا حسنًا. وذات يوم كان سليمان يتفقد عرضًا عسكريًا من إسطبله. وقد أسرته لياقة الخيول وجمالها وهيئتها أسرًا شديدًا، حتى ظل يمسحها ويعجب بها. وكانت الشمس قد أوشكت على الغروب، وكان وقت صلاة العصر يمضي. فلما تنبه إلى ذلك قال: "إني لأحببتُ الخيرَ عن ذكر ربي حتى توارت بالحجاب، ردّوها عليّ!"

During his time horses were the common mode of transportation. They were very essential for defense, to carry soldiers and cart provisions and weapons of war. The animals were well cared for and well trained. One day Solomon was reviewing a parade of his stable. The fitness, beauty and posture of the horses fascinated him so much that he kept on stroking and admiring them. The sun was nearly setting, and the time for the middle prayer was passing by. When he realized this, he exclaimed: "I surely love the finer things of life than the service of my Lord! Return them to me."

قال الله تعالى:

Almighty Allah revealed:

{وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ} * {إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ} * {فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ} * {رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ}

"And to David We gave Solomon. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to Us)! When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well-trained horses of the highest breed (for jihad in Allah's cause). And he said: "Alas! I did love the good (these horses) instead of remembering my Lord (in my 'Asr prayer)" till the time was over, and the sun had hidden in the veil of the night. Then he said: "Bring them (horses) back to me." Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks (till the end of the display).

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ (شيطانًا، فسلب مُلكه مدةً، ثم رجع إلى كرسيه ومُلكه بفضل الله وأناب) إلى الله بالطاعة والتوبة. قال: ﴿رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ﴾. فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ، وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ، وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ. (قال الله لسليمان): ﴿هَٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ﴾. وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ، الجنةَ.

And indeed We did try Solomon and We placed on his throne Jasadan (a devil, so he lost his kingdom for a while) but he did return (to his throne and kingdom by the Grace of Allah and he did return) to Allah with obedience and in repentance. He said: "My Lord! Forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me. Verily, You are the Bestower." So, We subjected to him the wind, it blew gently to his order whithersoever he willed, and also the devils from the jinns including every kind of builder and diver, and also other bound in fetters. (Saying of Allah to Solomon): "This is Our gift, so spend you or withhold, no account will be asked." And verily, he enjoyed a near access to Us, and a good final return Paradise.

(ص: ٣٠-٤٠ القرآن)

(Ch38:30-40 Quran).

في يومٍ من الأيام جمع سليمان جنوده، وكان فيهم كتائبُ من الإنس والجنّ والطير والوحوش، ثم سار بهم إلى بلاد عسقلان.

One day Solomon gathered his army, which had different battalions of men, jinns, birds, and animals. He marched them to the country of Askalon.

بينما كانوا يعبرون وادياً، رأت نملةٌ الجيشَ مقبلاً، فصاحت تحذّر النمل الآخر: «ادخلوا مساكنكم، لا يحطمنّكم سليمانُ وجنودُه وهم لا يشعرون!» فتبسّم سليمانُ عليه السلام من قول النملة، وفرح لأنها تعلم أنه نبيّ لا يؤذي عن قصد خلقَ الله، فحمد الله على أن نجّى النملَ من الهلاك.

While they were passing through a valley, an ant saw the approaching army and cried out to warn the other ants: "Run to your homes! Otherwise, unaware, Solomon and his army might crush you!" Solomon, hearing the cry of the ant, smiled. He was glad that the ant knew him to be a prophet who would not intentionally harm Allah's creation. He thanked Allah for saving the ants' lives.

قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ * حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَوْا عَلَىٰ وَادِ النَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَانُ وَجُنُودُهُ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ * فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ﴾ [سورة النمل: 17-19].

Allah the Almighty narrated: And there were gathered before Solomon his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to a valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not." So he (Solomon) smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I maybe grateful for Your Favors which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves." (Ch 27:17-19 Quran).

في القدس، على صخرة ضخمة، بنى سليمان هيكلًا جميلًا ليجذب الناس إلى عبادة الله. واليوم يُعرف هذا البناء باسم "قبة الصخرة". ومن هناك، انضمت جماعة كبيرة من الأتباع إلى سليمان في الحج إلى المسجد الحرام في مكة. وبعد أن أتموا حجهم، سافروا إلى اليمن ووصلوا إلى مدينة صنعاء. وقد أعجب سليمان بطريقتهم الذكية في تصريف المياه إلى كل أنحاء مدنهم. وكان حريصًا على بناء أنظمة مياه مماثلة في بلده، لكنه لم يكن لديه ما يكفي من الينابيع.

In Jerusalem, on a huge rock, Solomon built a beautiful temple to draw the people to worship Allah. Today this building is known as "The Dome of the Rock." From there, a large band of followers joined Solomon on pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca. After they had completed their hajj, they traveled to Yemen and arrived in the city of San'a. Solomon was impressed by their clever method of channeling water all over their cities. He was keen to build similar water systems in his own country but did not have enough springs.

توجّه في طلب الهدهد، وهو الطائر الذي يستطيع أن يكتشف الماء تحت الأرض. أرسل إشاراته في كل مكان ليستدعي الهدهد، فلم يُعثر عليه. فغضب، وقال: لأعذّبنّه عذابًا شديدًا، أو لأذبحنّه، أو ليأتينّي بعذر مبين.

He set out to find the hoopoe bird, which could detect water under the ground. He sent signals all over the hoopoe to call on him, but it was nowhere to be found. In anger, he declared that unless the bird had a good reason for its absence, he would punish it severely.

فأتى الهدهد سليمانَ في النهاية، وبيّن له سبب تأخره. قال: «لقد علمتُ ما لم تحط به علمًا، وجئتُكَ من سبأٍ بنبإٍ يقين». فدهش سليمان وزال غضبه. وتابع الهدهد قائلًا: «إن سبأً تحكمها امرأة تُدعى بلقيسَ، وقد أُوتيت من كل شيء، ولها عرشٌ عظيم».

The hoopoe eventually came to Solomon and explained the reason for its delay. "I have discovered something of which you are not aware. I have come from Sheba (Sab'a) with important news." Solomon became curious, and his anger subsided. The bird continued: "Sab'a is ruled by a queen named Bilkis (Bilqis), who has plenty of everything, including a splendid throne.

لكن مع كل هذا الثراء، فقد دخل الشيطان قلبها وقلوب قومها، وهي تتحكم في عقولهم تماماً. لقد صُدمت حين علمت أنهم يسجدون للشمس من دون الله عز وجل." ولكي يتحقق الهدهد من خبره، أرسل سليمان كتاباً إلى الملكة مع الطائر، وأمره أن يبقى مختبئاً ويراقب كل ما يجري.

But in spite of all this wealth, Satan has entered her heart and the hearts of her people. She rules their minds completely. I was shocked to learn that they worship the sun instead of Allah the Almighty." To check the hoopoe's information, Solomon sent a letter to the queen with the bird. He instructed the bird to remain hidden and to watch everything.

ألقى الهدهد الكتاب أمام الملكة ثم طار مختبئًا. ففتحته وقرأته بشغف.

The hoopoe dropped the letter in front of the queen and flew away to hide. She excitedly opened and read it:

إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ، وَإِنَّهُ: «بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ، أَلَّا تَعْلُوا عَلَيَّ وَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ» (سورۃ النمل: ٣٠-٣١).

"Verily! It is from Solomon, and verily! It reads: 'In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, and Most Merciful; be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit with full submission).'" ( Ch 27:30-31 Quran).

أصيبت الملكة بالاضطراب الشديد، فاستدعت مستشاريها على عجل. وقد تفاعلوا معها كما يتفاعلون مع التحدي، إذ شعروا بأن ثمة من يتحداهم، ويلمّح إلى الحرب والهزيمة، ويطالبهم بالخضوع لشروطه.

The queen was very disturbed and hurriedly summoned her advisors. They reacted as to a challenge, for they felt that there was someone challenging them, hinting at war and defeat, and asking them to submit to his conditions.

قالوا لها إنهم لا يستطيعون إلا أن يقدموا النصيحة، أما الأمر بالفعل فهو حقها. أدركت أنهم يريدون أن يواجهوا تهديد سليمان بالحرب، ومع ذلك قالت لهم:

They told her that they could only offer advice, but it was her right to command action. She sensed that they wanted to meet Solomon's invasion threat with a battle. However, she told them:

"السلام والصداقة أفضل وأحكم؛ فالحرب لا تجلب إلا الذل، وتستعبد الناس، وتُتلف الخيرات. وقد عزمتُ أن أُرسل هدايا إلى سليمان، مختارةً من أثمن كنوزنا. وسيتاح للحاشية التي ستُسلّم الهدايا فرصةٌ لأن تتعرّف على سليمان وعلى قوته العسكرية."

"Peace and friendship are better and wiser; war only brings humiliation, enslaves people and destroys the good things. I have decided to send gifts to Solomon, selected from our most precious treasure. The courtiers who will deliver the gifts will also have an opportunity to learn about Solomon and his military mighty."

أتى فريق الاستطلاع التابع لسليمان بالخبر إليه بقدوم رسل بلقيس ومعهم هدية، فأدرك في الحال أن الملكة أرسلت رجالها في مهمة استكشافية، فأمر بحشد الجيش. ولما دخل رسل بلقيس وسط الجيش المجهز بأحسن العدة، أدركوا أن ثروتهم لا شيء بالنسبة إلى مملكة سليمان، وأرضيات قصره كانت مصنوعة من خشب الصندل ومطعّمة بالذهب.

Solomon's reconnaissance team brought him the news of the arrival of Bilkis' messengers with a gift. He immediately realized that the queen had sent her men on a probing mission thus, he gave orders to rally the army. The envoys of Bilqis, entering amidst the well-equipped army, realized that their wealth was nothing in comparison to that of the kingdom of Solomon's palace floors, which were made of sandalwood and inlaid with gold.

لاحظوا سليمان وهو يتفقّد جنوده، فأدهشهم عددهم وتنوّعهم، إذ ضمّ الجيش الأسود والنمور والطيور. وقف الرسل مبهورين، يدركون أنهم أمام جيشٍ لا يُقهَر.

They noticed Solomon surveying his army, and they were surprised at the number and variety of soldiers, which included lions, tigers, and birds. The messengers stood in amazement, realizing that they were in front of an irresistible army.

فتعجب الرسل من الروعة التي تحيط بهم، وقدموا بلهفة هدايا ملكتهم النفيسة، وأخبروا سليمان أن الملكة تتمنى أن يقبلها منها على سبيل الود. وصُدموا من رد فعله، فلم يطلب حتى فتح أغطية الأوعية! فقال لهم: "آتاني الله مالًا وافرًا، وملكًا عظيمًا، ونبوة".

The envoys marveled at the splendor surrounding them. They eagerly presented their queen's precious gifts and told Solomon that the queen wished that he would accept them as an act of friendship. They were shocked by his reaction: he did not even ask to open the covers of the containers! He told them: "Allah hagiven me plenty of wealth, a large kingdom, and prophethood.

أنا، إذن، فوق الرشوة. هدفي الوحيد هو نشر الإيمان بالتوحيد، توحيد الله." وأمرهم أيضاً أن يردّوا الهدايا إلى الملكة، وأن يخبروها بأنها إن لم تكفّ عن هذا النوع من عبادتها فإنه سيقتلع مملكتها ويُخرج أهلها من الأرض.

I am, therefore, beyond bribery. My only objective is to spread the belief in Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah." He also directed them to take back the gifts to the queen and to tell her that if she did not stop her kind of worship he would uproot her kingdom and drive its people out of the land.

ورجع رسل الملكة بالهدايا وأدّوا الرسالة. وأخبروها أيضًا بالأمور العجيبة التي شاهدوها. فلم تغضب، بل قررت أن تزور سليمان.

The queen's envoys returned with the gifts and delivered the message. They also told her of the wonderful things they had seen. Instead of taking offense, she decided to visit Solomon.

ورحلت مع حاشيتها الملكية وخدمها عن سبأ، بعد أن أرسلت رسولاً أمامها ليُخبر سليمان بأنها في طريقها للقائه.

Accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she left Sheba, sending a messenger ahead to inform Solomon that she was on her way to meet him.

سأل سليمانُ الجنَّ الذين يعملون عنده: أيُّكم يأتيني بعرشها قبل أن يأتوني مسلمين؟ فقال عفريتٌ من الجنّ: أنا آتيك به قبل أن تقوم من مجلسك. ولم يُبدِ سليمانُ تأثُّرًا بهذا العرض، إذ يبدو أنه كان ينتظر وسيلةً أسرع. وتنافس الجنُّ فيما بينهم ليُرضوه. فقال أحدهم، واسمه عِفريت: "أنا آتيك به في طرفة عين!" وما إن أتمَّ هذا الكلام - وكان عنده علمٌ من الكتاب - حتى كان العرشُ أمام سليمان. فقد تمّت المهمةُ حقًّا في لمح البصر.

Solomon asked the jinns in his employ whether anyone among them could bring her throne to he palace before she arrived. One of them said; "I will bring it to you before this sitting is over." Solomon did not react to this offer; it appeared that he was waiting for a faster means. The jinns competed with each other to please him. One of them named Ifrit said: "I will fetch it for you in the twinkling of an eye!" No sooner had this one - who had the knowledge of the Book - finished his phrase than the throne stood before Solomon. The mission had, indeed, been completed in the blinking of an eye.

كان مقرّ سليمان في فلسطين، وكان عرش بلقيس في اليمن، على بُعد ألفي ميل. وكانت هذه معجزةً عظيمة أجراها أحدُ الجالسين مع سليمان.

Solomon's seat was in Palestine, and the throne of Bilqis had been in Yemen, two thousand miles away. This was a great miracle performed by one of those sitting with Solomon.

قال الله تعالى مُخبرًا عنهم في القرآن الكريم:

Almighty Allah told us this story in the Quran:

وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ * لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ * فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ

" He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not a hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason." But the hoopoe stayed not long, he came up and said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing)

{...ولَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ، وجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ. إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ولَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ. وَجَدْتُهَا وقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ} ألَّا يَسْجُدُوا: (لِلَّهِ) — هذه اللفظة تحتمل تفسيرين: [وَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ] حتى لا يَسجدوا لله، أو حتى يَسجدوا لله.

which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Sheba with true news. I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds fair seeming to them, and has barred them from Allah's Way, so they have no guidance." Al-La (this word has two interpretations) [As Satan has barred them from Allah's Way} so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allah, or so that they may worship (prostrate before)

اللَّهُ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ؛ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ، رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ! قَالَ (سُلَيْمَانُ): «سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ. اذْهَب بِّكِتَابِي هَٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ». قَالَتْ: «يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ! إِنِّي أُلْقِيَ إِلَيَّ كِتَابٌ كَرِيمٌ. إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ. أَلَّا تَعْلُوا عَلَيَّ وَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ». قَالَتْ: «يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ! أَفْتُونِي فِي أَمْرِي، مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشْهَدُونِ». قَالُوا: «نَحْنُ أُولُو قُوَّةٍ وَأُولُو بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ، وَالْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَانظُرِي مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ». قَالَتْ: «إِنَّ الْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوا أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَا أَذِلَّةً ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ. وَإِنِّي مُرْسِلَةٌ إِلَيْهِم بِهَدِيَّةٍ فَنَاظِرَةٌ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ الْمُرْسَلُونَ». فَلَمَّا جَاءَ سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ: «أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَا آتَانِيَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا آتَاكُم ۖ بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ». (ثُمَّ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ لِرَسُولِ مَلِكَةِ سَبَأٍ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِالْهَدِيَّةِ): «ارْجِعْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّهُم بِجُنُودٍ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا، وَلَنُخْرِجَنَّهُم مِّنْهَا أَذِلَّةً وَهُمْ صَاغِرُونَ». قَالَ: «يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ! أَيُّكُمْ يَأْتِينِي بِعَرْشِهَا قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ؟». قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ: «أَنَا آتِيكَ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّي عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِيٌّ أَمِينٌ». قَالَ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ عِلْمٌ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ أَنَا آتِيكَ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ، فَلَمَّا رَآهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِنْدَهُ قَالَ: هَٰذَا مِنْ فَضْلِ رَبِّي لِيَبْلُوَنِي أَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ، وَمَنْ شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ، وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّي غَنِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ. قَالَ: نَكِّرُوا لَهَا عَرْشَهَا نَنْظُرْ أَتَهْتَدِي أَمْ تَكُونُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ. فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْ قِيلَ أَهَٰكَذَا عَرْشُكِ قَالَتْ كَأَنَّهُ هُوَ، وَأُوتِينَا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ قَبْلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسْلِمِينَ. وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَتْ تَعْبُدُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِنْ قَوْمٍ كَافِرِينَ.

كان معظم العمل العام الذي قام به سليمان عليه السلام منوطًا بالجنّ. وكان ذلك عقوبة لهم على ذنوبهم، إذ كانوا يوهمون الناس أنهم قادرون على كل شيء، وأنهم يعلمون الغيب، ويستطيعون التنبؤ بالمستقبل. وكان من واجب سليمان، بصفته نبيًّا، أن يزيل مثل هذه المعتقدات الباطلة من أتباعه.

Solomon's public work was largely carried out by the jinns. This was a punishment for their sins of making people believe that they were all-powerful, knew the unseen, and could foresee the future. As a prophet, it was Solomon's duty to remove such false beliefs from his followers.

عاش سليمان وسط المجد، وكانت جميع المخلوقات مسخّرة له. ثم قضى الله تعالى أن يموت. وكانت حياته ووفاته مليئتين بالعجائب والمعجزات؛ فجاءت وفاته متناسقةً مع حياته ومجده. وكانت وفاته، كحياته، فريدة. فكان على الناس أن يتعلموا أن الغيب لا يعلمه الجن ولا الأنبياء، بل الله وحده. ولم ينتهِ جهد سليمان في هذا الاتجاه بانتهاء حياته، إذ صارت وفاته هي الأخرى عبرةً وآية. فقد كان جالسًا يتوكأ على عصاه، يشرف على الجن وهم يعملون في أحد المناجم. ومات وهو جالس على هذه الهيئة. ولم يعلم أحد بموته زمنًا طويلًا، لأنه كان يُرى جالسًا منتصبًا. وظلّ الجن يواصلون عملهم الشاق، يحسبون أن سليمان يراقبهم.

Solomon lived amidst glory, and all creatures were subjected to him. Then Allah the Exalted ordained for him to die. His life and death were full of wonders and miracles; thus, his death harmonized with his life and glory. His death, like his life, was unique. The people had to learn that the future is known neither by the jinns, nor by the prophets, but by Allah alone. Solomon's effort in this direction did not end with his life, for even his death became an example. He was sitting holding his staff, overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position. For a long time no one was aware of his death, for he was seen sitting erect. The jinns continued with their sand toil, thinking that Solomon was watching over them.

بعد أيام كثيرة، بدأت نملةٌ جائعةٌ تنهش عصا سليمان. واستمرت في ذلك، تأكل الجزء السفلي من العصا، حتى سقطت من يد سليمان، وخرّ جسده العظيم إلى الأرض.

Many days later, a hungry ant began nibbling Solomon's staff. It continued to do so, eating the lower part of the staff, until it fell out of Solomon's hand, and his great body fell to the ground.

أسرع الناس إليه، وقد أدركوا أنه مات منذ زمن طويل، وأن الجن لم يكونوا يعلمون الغيب، إذ لو كانت الجن تعلم الغيب لما ظلّوا يعملون، يظنّون أن سليمان لا يزال حيًّا.

People hurried to him, realizing that he had died a long time ago and that the jinns did not perceive the unseen, for had the jinns known the unseen, they would not have kept working, thinking that Solomon was alive.

قال الله تعالى:

Allah the Exalted revealed:

{وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ ۖ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ}

"And We caused a fount of molten brass to flow for him, and there were jinns that worked in front of him by the Leave of his Lord, and whosoever of them turned aside from Our Command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire.

يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

They worked for him what he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (making) cauldrons fixed (in their places). "Work you, O family of David, with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful.

فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَن لَّوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ

Then when we decreed death for him (Solomon), nothing informed them (jinns) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept slowly gnawing away at his stick, so when he fell down, the jinns saw clearly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment. (Ch 34:12-14 Quran).