The Prophet Sulayman (as) and The Queen of Saba

She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Sulayman, to the Lord of the Worlds."(Surat an-Naml: 44)

Historical records regarding the meeting of Sulayman (as) and the Queen of Saba were brought to light by investigations made in the old country of Saba in South Yemen. Examinations made on the ruins revealed that a "queen" lived in the region between 1000 and 950 BC and travelled towards the north (to Jerusalem).

Kingdom of Saba

The Queen of Saba was very impressed when she saw Sulayman's (as) palace and she submitted to Islam with Sulayman (as). A map showing the two-way route of the queen of Saba..

What happened between these two rulers, the economical and political power of their countries, their regimes and some other information are all explained in the Surat an-Naml. The story, which is narrated in a large part of Surat an-Naml, begins its reference to the Queen of Saba with the news which the Hudhud (a Hoopoe bird), a member of Sulayman’s (as) army, gives to Sulayman (as):

But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true. I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.

I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path -so they receive no guidance- (Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal. Allah!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" (Sulayman) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!" (Surat an-Naml: 22-27)

After receiving this news from the Hoopoe, Sulayman (as) gave the following commands to him:

"Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return."(Surat an-Naml: 28)

The Qur’an tells about the events that developed after the Queen of Saba received the letter:

(The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. It is from Sulayman, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"

She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."

Sulayman's (as) Temple

They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." She said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave. But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."

Now when (the embassy) came to Sulayman, he said: "Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift! Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed)."

He said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" Said an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted."

According to some records, after Solomon’s Temple was destroyed, the only wall of the temple that remained was turned into the "Wailing Wall" by the Jews. After conquering Jerusalem during the seventh century, the Muslims built the Mosque of ‘Umar and the Dome of the Rock where the temple once stood. Jerusalem still retains this. In the picture above is seen Dome of the Rock.

Said one who had knowledge of the Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when (Sulayman) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !"

He said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."

So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam)." And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith. She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Sulayman, to the Lord of the Worlds." (Surat an-Naml: 29-44)

Sulayman's (as) Palace

Solomon’s Temple had the most advanced technology of the time and a superior understanding of aesthetics. In the upper plan is shown the centre of Jerusalem during the Prophet Sulayman's (as) reign. 1) Southwest door 2) Queen's palace 3) Sulayman's (as) palace 4) Entrance with thirty-two pillars 5) Law court 6) The Forest of Lebanon 7) The house of the high priests 8) The entrance of the Temple 9) The courtyard of the Temple 10) The Temple

In the chapters and verses that refer to the Queen of Saba, the Prophet Sulayman (as) is also mentioned. While it is told in the Qur’an that he has a magnificent palace and kingdom, many other details are also given.

According to these, Sulayman (as) had the most advanced technology of his day. In his palace were striking pieces of art and other valuable objects, which impressed all those who saw them. The floor at the entrance of the palace was made of glass. The Qur’an describes this palace and its effects on the Queen of Saba in the following verses:

She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Sulayman, to the Lord of the Worlds."(Surat an-Naml: 44)

Prophet Sulayman’s (as) palace is called "Solomon’s Temple" in Jewish literature. Today, only the "Western Wall" of the so called temple or palace stands and this is the place named "The Wailing Wall" by the Jews. The reason why this palace as well as many other places in Jerusalem were later demolished, is because of the mischievous and arrogant conduct of subsequent Jews. The Qur’an informs us about this as follows:

And We gave (Clear) Warning to the Children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and twice would they be punished)! When the first of the warnings came to pass, We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare: They entered the very inmost parts of your homes; and it was a warning (completely) fulfilled.(Surat al-Isra: 4-5)

Then did We grant you the Return as against them: We gave you increase in resources and sons, and made you the more numerous in man-power. If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against yourselves. So when the second of the warnings came to pass, (We permitted your enemies) to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they had entered it before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their power.(Surat al-Isra: 6-7)

All the people described in the previous chapters deserved punishment because of their rebellion and ingratitude for Allah's favours, and therefore they suffered disaster. Having wandered from one place to another for centuries without any country or state, and finally finding a home in the holy lands at the time of Sulayman (as), the Jews were again destroyed because of their transgression beyond all bounds, and because of their corruption and disobedience. Modern Jews, who have settled in the same region in the recent past, are again causing corruption and are "elated with mighty arrogance", just as they did before the first warning.