The Story of the Queen of Sheba with Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him)
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Peace and blessings be upon the most noble of prophets and messengers,
Our Prophet Muhammad,
And upon his family and all his companions.
To proceed:
This is a blessed series
On the story of the Queen of Sheba with Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him).
The story is mentioned in the Qur'an once, in Surah An-Naml.
The Kingdom of Sheba was located in Yemen,
And it possessed an ancient history
And a civilization whose ruins remain to this day.
Allah mentioned it in the Qur'an in Surah Saba',
Clarifying the abundant goodness it had attained
And the great blessings it enjoyed,
Such that it became a marvel of its age,
And He described it as a good land.
Yet, Glorified be He, He destroyed and ruined it
When its people turned away from the command of Allah, the Exalted and Sublime.
Allah Almighty said:
"Indeed, there was for Sheba a sign in their dwelling place:
Two gardens, one on the right and one on the left."
“There was indeed a sign for Sheba in their dwelling-place: Two gardens on the right hand and the left (as who should say): Eat of the provision of your Lord and render thanks to Him. A fair land and an indulgent Lord!” (34:15)
“There was indeed a sign for Sheba in their dwelling-place: Two gardens on the right hand and the left (as who should say): Eat of the provision of your Lord and render thanks to Him. A fair land and an indulgent Lord!” (34:15)
“But they were froward, so We sent on them the flood of 'Iram, and in exchange for their two gardens gave them two gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk and here and there a lote-tree.” (34:16)
"So We replaced their two gardens with two gardens
Yielding bitter fruit,"
"So We replaced their two gardens with two gardens"
“But they were froward, so We sent on them the flood of 'Iram, and in exchange for their two gardens gave them two gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk and here and there a lote-tree.” (34:16)
“But they were froward, so We sent on them the flood of 'Iram, and in exchange for their two gardens gave them two gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk and here and there a lote-tree.” (34:16)
“This We awarded them because of their ingratitude. Punish We ever any save the ingrates?” (34:17)
“This We awarded them because of their ingratitude. Punish We ever any save the ingrates?” (34:17)
“And We set, between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stage between them easy, (saying): Travel in them safely both by night and day.” (34:18)
“And We set, between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stage between them easy, (saying): Travel in them safely both by night and day.” (34:18)
"And We determined the distance between them for travel."
“And We set, between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stage between them easy, (saying): Travel in them safely both by night and day.” (34:18)
"But they said, 'Our Lord, make the distance between our journeys longer,'
And they wronged themselves,
So We made them history,
And We dispersed them completely.
Indeed in that are signs for everyone who is patient and grateful."
“And Satan indeed found his calculation true concerning them, for they follow him, all save a group of true believers.” (34:20)
“And Satan indeed found his calculation true concerning them, for they follow him, all save a group of true believers.” (34:20)
“And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof; and thy Lord (O Muhammad) taketh note of all things.” (34:21)
“And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof; and thy Lord (O Muhammad) taketh note of all things.” (34:21)
"...those who are in doubt about it."
“And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof; and thy Lord (O Muhammad) taketh note of all things.” (34:21)
As-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“This We awarded them because of their ingratitude. Punish We ever any save the ingrates?” (34:17)
“This We awarded them because of their ingratitude. Punish We ever any save the ingrates?” (34:17)
"That is: 'Do We requite with such punishment—
As indicated by the context—
Anyone except the ungrateful who disbelieves in Allah and rejects His blessings?'
So when they were afflicted with what befell them,
They were scattered and torn apart after having been united,
And Allah made them cautionary tales for people to talk about,
And evening tales for people to recount.
A proverb was coined after them,
So it would be said: 'They dispersed like Sheba's people.'
Everyone spoke of what had happened to them,
Yet no one truly takes heed or learns from their lesson
Except those whom Allah described:
'Indeed in that are signs for everyone who is patient and grateful.'
Patient in the face of hardships and adversity,
Enduring them solely for the sake of Allah,
Not becoming discontented with His decree,
But rather showing steadfast patience;
Grateful for the blessings of Allah Almighty,
Acknowledging and affirming them,
Praising the One who bestowed them,
And expending them in His obedience.
Such a person, upon hearing their story
And what transpired among them and befell them,
Realizes through this that that punishment
Was a retribution for their ingratitude toward Allah's blessings,
And that whoever acts as they acted
Will be dealt with as they were dealt with;
And that gratitude to Allah Almighty
Preserves blessings and wards off tribulations;
And that Allah's messengers were truthful in what they conveyed,
And that divine recompense is true,
Just as he saw its sample in the earthly realm."
The story of the Queen of Sheba—
Which is part of the history of the Kingdom of Sheba—
Is, on the other hand,
One of the stories of women in the Holy Qur'an.
Allah only mentioned the stories of women in the Qur'an
So that women may be nurtured through them,
Take heed from them, and be admonished,
Following the path of the believers
And avoiding the path of the corrupt.
These stories came within the fold of various surahs,
And each story corresponds appropriately to the theme of the surah in which it is mentioned,
Containing lessons, admonitions,
Guidance, and mercy,
Just as Allah Almighty said:
“In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.” (12:111)
“In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.” (12:111)
"...but a confirmation of what came before it,
A detailed explanation of all things,
And guidance and mercy—
And guidance and mercy for a people who believe."
Muhammad Rashid Rida (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"The Qur'an is neither a history book nor a collection of mere tales;
Rather, it is guidance and admonition.
It does not mention a story merely to detail its historical timeline,
Nor for entertainment,
Nor to encompass its minutiae;
Rather, it mentions what it mentions for the sake of moral lesson,
As Allah said,"
“In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.” (12:111)
"And to clarify the divine laws of human society,
As Allah said:"
“Systems have passed away before you. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for those who did deny (the messengers).” (3:137)
"'So travel through the earth and observe what was the end of the deniers.'
And He said:"
"'Such was the established way of Allah among His servants who passed before.'
And other such verses.
Among past events, some are well known,
And Allah Almighty mentions from this and that whatever He wills to mention
For the purpose of moral lesson and admonition.
Thus, He contents Himself within the story with the point of lesson and benefit,
Without detailing its trivial particulars that do not add to the lesson,
But might rather distract from it."
This last statement from the scholar Muhammad Rashid Rida (may Allah have mercy on him)
Is a very important passage,
Because it provides us with the methodology for engaging with Qur'anic stories:
What aspects we ought to focus on
To ponder the story and draw lessons from it,
While setting aside the aspects that were not mentioned to us in the story
Without becoming preoccupied by them.
Abu Zahrah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"The objective behind Qur'anic stories is moral lesson and reflection,
Not the mere recounting of events or entertaining people with detailed narration—
'A lesson for people of understanding.'
Therefore, the Noble Lord directs attention to the locus of lesson and highlights it,
And to the place of insight and clarifies it.
That is the most upright path:
Nurturing through history and educating through the conditions of predecessors.
For man is the child of man;
Whoever shows you a picture of the past accompanied by a lesson
Shows you yourself alongside an admonition.
The past is ever a light illuminating the future;
It is the lamp carried by whoever seeks guidance and hopes for it."
Indeed, in that story mentioned in the Holy Qur'an—
Revealed by the All-Wise, All-Knowing—
Lies a lesson for all people,
Especially nations tested with defeat.
Mentioning these stories is also one of the signs of prophethood,
For the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not know them prior to divine revelation.
Muhammad Rashid Rida (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Mentioning these stories in the Qur'an
Is among the proofs that it is from Allah Almighty,
Because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not know this, nor did his people,
As explicitly stated in Surah Hud
After detailing the story of Noah with his people, by His saying:
'That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you,'
“This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk (know it) before this. Then have patience. Lo! the sequel is for those who ward off (evil).” (11:49)
“This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk (know it) before this. Then have patience. Lo! the sequel is for those who ward off (evil).” (11:49)
And as He said at the end of Surah Yusuf after recounting his story with his brothers:
'That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you.'"
“This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou wast not present with them when they fixed their plan and they were scheming.” (12:102)
For a woman to benefit from the stories of women in the Qur'an,
She must take time in reading it,
Reflect upon the verses, and ponder the meanings within them.
For Allah praised the people of understanding who ponder the Qur'an.
Allah Almighty said:
"A blessed Book We have revealed to you that they may ponder its verses
And that those of understanding may take heed."
And He, Glorified be He, said:
"Indeed, in their stories there was a lesson for people of understanding."
Abu Zahrah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"And He, Glorified and Exalted, restricts those who take heed
To being 'people of understanding'—
That is, minds whose perception penetrates to the core of matters and their realities,
Pondering their beginnings and ultimate ends.
Therefore, a woman must exercise her intellect
In pondering the stories of women in the Qur'an,
So that she may derive lessons from them, take admonition within herself,
And set her life upright upon what pleases Allah, the Exalted and Majestic.
For this reason, Allah Almighty said:
'So relate the stories that perhaps they may reflect.'"
At-Tahir ibn 'Ashur (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Meaning: relate this story and others.
This serves as a concluding comment on the story used as a parable,
Encompassing it and other stories in the Qur'an.
For in stories there is reflection and admonition,
So through them, their reflection and admonition are hoped for.
This is because parables and bringing forth parallels
Have a profound impact on guiding souls through them
And bringing obscure conditions close to souls that are heedless or oblivious,
Owing to how drawing parallels through a specific story
Evokes the recollection of witnessing a state with the senses,
Unlike bare reminder devoid of parallels drawn from tangible things."
The story of the Queen of Sheba
Is among the Qur'anic stories
Intended for deriving lessons and admonitions.
So where is the locus of lesson in the story?
What is the primary objective of mentioning this story in Surah An-Naml?
What was the role of the hoopoe in the story?
What personal qualities of this woman were manifested in this story?
What ruse did the Queen of Sheba use with Solomon?
How did Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) deal
With the Queen of Sheba after exposing her ruse?
What was the impact of knowledge in the story of the Queen of Sheba?
Was the Queen of Sheba intelligent and wise,
And what is the proof of that?
Why did the Queen of Sheba not resort to fighting,
Despite the strength and formidable might of the people of Yemen?
What factors turn a person away from recognizing the truth and following it?
These are questions we will attempt to answer, Allah willing, in this blessed series
On the story of the Queen of Sheba,
Asking the Lord, the Exalted and Majestic,
To grant us success in righteous speech and deed.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
The Story of the Queen of Sheba
With Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him).