Prophet Sulayman (Solomon)

Who was Prophet Sulayman?

Sulayman (Solomon) was a prophet of Allah and the son of the Prophet Dawud (David). He was also a great king, and Allah granted him a kingdom "such as will not belong to anyone after him". Among his unique gifts were command over the wind, power over the jinn who built and dived for him, and the ability to understand the speech of birds and animals.

His Story

Sulayman inherited prophethood and knowledge from his father Dawud. He commanded armies of humans, jinn, and birds. The Quran tells how he smiled at the words of an ant warning her colony to take cover, and how the hoopoe brought him news of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), who worshipped the sun. Sulayman invited her to the worship of Allah; her magnificent throne was brought to him in the blink of an eye, and she ultimately submitted to Allah with Sulayman. Despite his immense power and wealth, Sulayman remained a humble servant who attributed every blessing to Allah, saying "This is from the favour of my Lord to test me — whether I am grateful or ungrateful."

Sulayman in the Quran

• "And We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulayman..." (27:15)
• "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour..." (27:19)
• "He said: My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me..." (38:35)

Lessons from His Life

Sulayman shows that worldly power, when joined to faith and gratitude, is a means of serving Allah rather than a distraction from Him. He used his unmatched kingdom to call others to the worship of the One God, and he never let his wealth make him arrogant. His example teaches that the believer should thank Allah in ease, recognise that all gifts are a test, and use whatever power they have for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Sulayman really control the jinn and the wind?

Yes, by Allah's power and as a miracle granted to him. The Quran states that the wind ran by his command and that jinn worked for him, building structures and diving in the sea. These were divine gifts unique to him, not magic — and he remained a humble servant of Allah throughout.

Who was the Queen of Sheba?

She was the powerful queen of Saba (Sheba), known in tradition as Bilqis, whose people worshipped the sun. After an exchange of letters and the marvel of her throne being brought to Sulayman, she recognised the truth and declared, with Sulayman, her submission to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.