VOCABULARY
Hoopoe: A bird that served as Sulayman’s messenger.
Jinn: Creatures made of fire who obeyed Sulayman (AS).
Saba: The kingdom of Sheba, ruled by Queen Bilqis.
THE STORY
The Kingdom of Wisdom
Allah blessed Sulayman (AS) with a mighty kingdom. He ruled over humans, jinn, and animals, and even commanded the wind! His wisdom and fairness made him beloved by all.
The Ants’ Warning
One day, Sulayman (AS) marched with his army through a valley. An ant leader warned her colony: “Hide! Sulayman’s army will crush us!” Sulayman (AS), who understood animal speech, smiled and ordered his army to stop. He said, “Allah teaches us to respect all life, even the smallest ants!” (Quran 27:18-19).
Queen Bilqis’s Test
The hoopoe bird told Sulayman (AS) about Queen Bilqis, who worshipped the sun. Sulayman (AS) sent her a letter inviting her to Islam. She replied with riddles to test him, but Allah gave Sulayman (AS) the answers. Amazed, Bilqis visited his kingdom and accepted Islam, saying, “I submit to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!”
KEY TEACHINGS
“Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, ‘O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.’ So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, ‘My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor...’” (Quran 27:18-19)
THINK & REFLECT
Why did Sulayman (AS) stop his army for the ants?
How can you show kindness to animals or insects?