Prophet Solomon (pbuh) and The Queen of Saba

Most of the verses about Prophet Solomon (pbuh) discuss his relations with the Queen of Saba. In addition to providing important details about the two kingdoms' political and economic relations, they give many examples of Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) international relations, administrative skills, and presentations of God's religion to others.

Piero della Francesco, Meeting of Prophet Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (right view), fifteenth century, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy

However, it was not long delayed, and then it [the hoopoe] said [to Solomon]: “I have comprehended something that you have not, and bring you accurate intelligence from Saba.” (Qur’an, 27:22)

The relations between the two kingdoms began when the hoopoe, a member of Prophet Solomon’s (pbuh) army, brought information about Saba and its queen. Upon its return, the hoopoe told Prophet Solomon (pbuh) the following:

"I found a woman ruling over them who has been given everything. She possesses a mighty throne." (Qur'an, 27:23)

Frans Francken II, The Queen of Sheba before Prophet Solomon, Museum of Fine Arts, Quimper, France

She [the Queen of Saba] said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself but I have submitted with Solomon to the Lord of all the worlds." (Qur'an, 27:44)

The purpose of this verse may be to show that a woman ruler was unusual in those days. The hoopoe said that the Queen of Saba was endowed with wealth and every kind of blessing and emphasized the size of her throne. This may symbolize the extent of her power and authority. (God knows the truth.)

In other words, Satan had convinced these people that worshipping the Sun, instead of God, was the true path. This means that they were following the faith of their ancestors, an excuse often given by pagans for rejecting the true religion. This is just one more example of Satan's most important goal: diverting people from the true path and preventing them from submitting to God. This verse may also indicate that unbelievers are far from God's religion because they are deceived by superstitious beliefs, philosophies, and ideas.

But as the verse below says, Satan has no effect on those servants who believe with a pure and sincere heart:

He [Satan] said: "My Lord, because You misled me, I will make things on Earth seem good to them. I will mislead them all, every one of them, except Your servants among them who are sincere." (Qur'an, 15:39-40)

These verses reveal some of the hoopoe's characteristics:

He might have been a believing jinn, for he often proclaimed his belief.

He was obedient, because he knew that he first had to inform Prophet Solomon (pbuh), who had true wisdom and power, before telling anyone else.

He understood the things he saw and related the information in a way that held his hearer's attention. He concentrated on the important matters and passed lightly over insignificant details, for his concise manner of speaking went to the essence of the matter.

Even though the hoopoe was a bird, he could speak and relay information. As stated above, the female ant that saw Prophet Solomon (pbuh)'s army could also speak. Today, because of advanced computer technology, films often feature talking birds, ants, and other creatures. This may be one of the things alluded to in this account.

Prophet Solomon (pbuh) had noticed the hoopoe's absence. He did not make an immediate decision but waited for his explanation. This shows that Prophet Solomon (pbuh) was an intelligent, mature, fair, and just ruler.

After hearing the hoopoe's information, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) ordered an investigation to ascertain its truth. This is a proof that he was a provident and just ruler.

What is in the heavens and in Earth belongs to God.God suffices as a Guardian.(Qur'an,4:132) "Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then withdraw from them a little and see how they respond." (Qur'an, 27:28) O humanity! A clear proof has come to you from your Lord.We have sent dawn Clear Light to you.(Qur'an,4:174)

Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) habit of making a decision after observing a person's reaction is a very intelligent practice. For instance, it preventspossible errors arising from the envoy's personal interpretation.

"God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him.That is a straight path.(Qur'an3:51) "In the name of God, Most Compassionale, Most Merciful. Do nol rise up against me, bul come lo me in submission." (Qur'an,27: 29)

In addition, the Queen of Saba was not aware that she was being observed. So, she behaved naturally and sincerely when consulting her advisors and expressed her true thoughts. Thus, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) could learn what she really thought about him.

The Queen of Saba understood immediately that this letter was very important. This could have been for various reasons, such as the following:

First, both the fact that the hoopoe delivered the letter and the hoopoe's characteristics could have revealed the situation's extraordinary nature.

The quality of the paper, the seal, or the style of writing could have revealed Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) wealth, high artistic appreciation, and power. Such things might have affected her.

She may have read the letter herself and only then have called in her advisors. Knowing its contents, she may have regarded it as important. (God knows the truth.)

The verse uses the Arabic words kitabun kareemun for an important letter. The word kitabun can mean either a writing or a book. And kareemun can mean basic, chosen, honorable, respected, valuable. So, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) may not have sent just a letter, but maybe an accompanying book or document explaining the true religion. Its introduction may have begun with the words: In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

The fact that the queen only announced that a letter (or book) had arrived from Prophet Solomon (pbuh) shows that he was known in Saba. We can understand from this that Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) kingdom was widely renowned for its wealth and power.

Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) style was open and very effective. The letter's incisive, decisive, and clear style showed that it was from a powerful ruler and might have affected the queen and her council.

“In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Do not rise up against me, but come to me in submission.” Prophet Solomon (pbuh)

Prophet Solomon (pbuh) used his letter to explain His religion and then invite the people of Saba to belief in God. He did not want to subjugate them to himself; rather, he wanted to lead them toward God so that they might become Muslims. This shows that he was more interested in their belief system than in conquering Saba, because he was sent to invite people to the true path and warn them.

These verses inform us of the relations between Prophet Solomon (pbuh) and Saba, and that achieved his goals through diplomacy instead of war. Using letters and envoys, he sought to open relations and encourage mutual understanding and peace.

This method of communication also reveals an important fact: Oral communication may be forgotten and be ineffective due to many distractions in the local environment. Also, people may not be able to express themselves clearly while talking, or those listening to them may become distracted. However, a written document helps both the writer and the reader to focus their attention on what is being said. Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) method of communication shows that he understood this. It must be remembered that the written word is an important way of relaying the reality of belief and the truth of God's religion.

The fact that she immediately sought her advisors' advice shows that she was not an absolute monarch, but rather followed a democratic system. By asking for their opinions, she sought to profit from their experience.

This verse shows that she consulted her military officials about which course she should follow. From their answer, we can see that this council acted with the authority and by the command of the Queen.

Realizing that she could not defeat Prophet Solomon (pbuh) militarily, she decided to submit to his call. Yet, in order to gain time to find a way out of this situation, she sent Prophet Solomon (pbuh) a gift:

The purpose behind sending this gift was to learn his true intention and to gauge his reaction. Thus, she employed the same method as Prophet Solomon (pbuh) had.

In this verse, we notice that a gift is important to judge a people's reactions and to analyze their spiritual state. When a person does not accept a valuable gift sent to influence his or her opinion, the subsequent refusal may be seen as a sign of sincerity and decisiveness.

Say: "O humanity!The truth has come to you from your Lord.Whoever is guided is only guded for his own good.Whoever is misguided to his detriment.Ihave not been set over you as a guardian." (Qur'an,10:108) When it reached Solomon, he said: "Would you give me wealth when what God has given me is better than what He has given you? No, rather it is you who delight in your gift."(Qur'an, 27:36)

Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) response showed that he could not be influenced and that God's gifts to him were much better than what she had sent. This shows that he only sought God's good pleasure.

He sent back the queen's envoys, thereby clearly showing that he knew her intention and would not accept her gift. In this way, he prevented her from being pleased with herself and being arrogant in her wealth. This was a great psychological blow for the people of Saba, who then realized that their queen's wealth could not help them.

Prophet Solomon (pbuh)'s army had extraordinary strength. Even the most powerful army may be opposed and withstood. However, this verse reveals that his army was well-known because of its supernatural power, which prevented it from being defeated.

Here Prophet Solomon (pbuh) destroyed the queen's envoys' self-confidence and arrogance. In his second message, he reminded the queen and Saba's prominent citizens how weak they were compared to him and his army. Perhaps he did this so that he could achieve his aim without going to war.

He said: "O Council! Who among you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"(Qur'an, 27:38)

Prophet Solomon (pbuh) spoke with certainty about Saba's imminent submission. This may be a sign that God had informed him of this event.

Each country values its flags and standards, because they symbolize the country's independence. As the hoopoe said, Saba's pride was its queen's great throne. By asking prominent members of his retinue to bring him that throne before the queen and her court arrived, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) sought to destroy her people's morale and make them submit more quickly.

Technology In Prophet Solomons (pbuh) Time

In the End Times, science and technology will develop so rapidly that it will become almost impossible to follow these advances. Every new technological discovery will quickly become more affordable, user-friendly, and productive. Today's telephones, televisions, and radios are very different from those of 50 years ago. The Internet, when it was first developed, was used as a very restricted means of communication; now it is an information web that encircles the world. But this does not mean that such technology is completely new. For example, today we have radios with very sophisticated features. But in the past, radios produced by much more practical methods, such as using galena, as seen in the picture above.10 Therefore, it is possible that Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) time could have had devices that performed the same functions but using a more practical technology. Perhaps with a technology unknown today, the throne's image could have been brought and reproduced in three dimensions. The same applies to the aircraft, miniature recording devices, and the Internet technology we considered earlier.

From this verse, we learn that Prophet Solomon (pbuh) could maneuver, make quick decisions, and carry them out without delay. This is a great advantage when it comes to gaining the upper hand against opposing forces, especially in a time of war.

Today, we can use the Internet to send an image of any object from one place to another in a matter of seconds.

A demon of the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy enough to do it." (Qur'an, 27:39

This first proposal probably alludes to the fact that jinn can move or transport material things to another place.

This second proposal, which came from an individual who possessed knowledge of the Book, brings a few possibilities to mind:

He may have been an army intelligence operative blessed with the foresight to bring the throne earlier as a precaution. Therefore, the verse may indicate that intelligence operatives take precautions to prepare for unexpected circumstances.

The throne's transportation in the twinkling of an eye, and the facts that it was changed and that birds had exchanged information, may signify the advanced technology in the End Times that will be used to teleport material objects.

Thanks to the Internet, people can send written material, pictures, films, and many other kinds of information over long distances in a very short time. For example, sending the queen's throne to a distant place in "the twinkling of an eye" may indicate that, in the End Times, things (for example, a three-dimensional image or picture of a throne) may be teleported almost instantaneously through the Internet.

Prophet Solomon (pbuh) may have taken advantage of the jinns' knowledge and qualities to create devices, presently unknown to us, that could teleport objects.

After the throne was brought, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) immediately turned toward God and asked for pardon, prayed, and gave thanks, for he was a sincere and faithful servant. He is an example for everyone of true and sincere belief.

Transferring the throne, the symbol of Saba, to Prophet Solomon (pbuh)'s palace was a great psychological defeat for the queen. Moreover, he ordered it to be changed.

Additions may have been made to make it even more beautiful and luxurious. In doing this, Prophet Solomon (pbuh) may have wanted to show that his own wealth was superior and that he had supreme authority over the queen's wealth and possessions.

This verse may be pointing out the excellence that Muslims seek for in art, as they do in all things. No matter how beautiful and splendid her throne was, it paled in comparison to Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) artistic capabilities.

Here is an example of Prophet Solomon's (pbuh)great artistic capability. He may have combined art and technology perfectly and left people amazed by his intelligence and artistic power.

The word alter is interesting. These days, computer programs can easily make any desired change to an image. This may refer to the widespread use of such a technology in the End Times.

One reason Prophet Solomon (pbuh) may have asked this question was to determine her level of attention.

O prophet! We have sent you asa a witness, and a bringer of good news and a warner, and a caller to God by his permission and a light-giving lamp.Give good news to the believers that they will receive immense favor from God. (Qur'an,33:45-47)

From this verse, we can see that the queen proved herself to be an intelligent and reserved individual, for she answered his question with self-possession and deliberation. She did not say immediately whether it was or was not her throne, but chose to give an ambiguous answer.

The queen and her people were sun worshippers. But the fact that she read Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) sincere and moving letter and then came to see his kingdom's splendor caused her to embrace true belief and become a Muslim.

When the queen came into Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) palace, she thought that the floor was under water. Several interpretations may be given for this impression:

The word used to describe the floor may indicate a particular technology of that time of which the queen was unaware. Or, maybe the floor of this palace was different from other floors.

The floor may have been a giant television screen placed in the palace's entrance to give people the impression that the floor was covered with water. (Such effects are often used in interior decoration.) So, when she saw the screen, she thought that she was looking at water.

This verse may be alluding to a different kind of technology. Today, simulation goggles let people think that they are in a different place than where they are. This verse may indicate this technology, which will be discovered in the End Times.

In this verse, God may be indicating that water will be used in the End Times to produce decorative materials with advanced technology. These products, using water's aesthetic and clean appearance, may be used in beautiful things to recreate the splendor of Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) time.

Tintoretto, The Queen of Sheba and Prophet Solomon, 1555, Museo del Prado

We see that Prophet Solomon (pbuh) knew that such a situation would arise when the Queen of Saba arrived. He realized that this technology was very advanced and beyond the ordinary.

In this verse, God may be indicating that water will be used in the End Times to produce decorative materials with advanced technology. These products, using water's aesthetic and clean appearance, may be used in beautiful things to recreate the splendor of Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) time.

Yes,the friends of God will feel no fear and will know no sorrow:Those who believe and show fear[and respect of God],there s god news for them in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.There is no changing the words of God.That is the great victory!Do not be grieved by what they say.All might belongs to God.He is the All-Hearing ,the All-Knowing. (Qur'an,10:62-65)

Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) deep understanding of art, which we see in these verses, is a very good example for Muslims. He used this understanding to express his great love for God and his wonder at the marvels of His creation.

Believing artists have produced beautiful works of art throughout history. With God's permission, the power of Muslim art will greatly increase in the End Times. Artists who are inspired by the beauties of God's creation and feel a great sense of love toward Him will produce incomparable works of art and will cover the world with fine developments in the areas of painting, music, and architecture. With God's permission, the Muslim world will drive these great developments.

Computer-generated three-dimensional holographic images are used everywhere today. Simulation technology, which is used extensively in industry, research, education, medicine, films, and advertising, makes it possible to create an imaginary world that is identical to the real one. Using this technology, people can visit a historical site or a museum, and even walk on another planet's surface. For example, above on the right is a three-dimensional view of Venus prepared in line with radar images. Above on the left is a three-dimensional hologram image of a park. The pictures on the left below depict the results of a three-dimensional crash test. Engineers enter data relative to the vehicle's features and then enter the results of an actual test into a computer to test possible crash situations by adjusting such variables as the vehicle's speed and the angle of the impact. On the lower right are two different images of a city. This technology makes the work of city planners much easier, for it allows them to view planned changes beforehand. For example, if they are thinking of planting trees, they can generate a basic model of what the road will look like after the trees have grown. The picture on the top of the facing page is the interior of a museum. The stage of a Roman theatre, painted on a wall of Emperor Augustus' (63 BCE -14 CE) palace, is reproduced in three-dimensions. In the bottom picture on the facing page is an image of a hologram device that Ford Motor Company plans to use in design studies to help it produce better cars over the next five years. With the help of this hologram imager, Ford designers and engineers will design automobiles using a never-before-used method: Designers will work with a three-dimensional image, instead of a screen area, and will be able to walk beside the vehicle and examine each of its various aspects.