Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) & Bilqees(Queen of Saba)

Assalamualaikum

Bismillah'Ir Rahman'Ir Rahim

Its a story narrated in Quran about Bilqees(Queen of Yemen) and Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.).

Hazrat Suleiman was given rule by ALLAH(S. W. T.) on every earthy creation of his and Hazrat Suleiman(A.S) knew the language of every creature of earns ranging from largest animal to even a smallest insect.

And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)" (Surah An-Naml, 16)

On his expedition from Baitul Maqdis to Yemen, his army requested for water but there was no sign of water and the soldiers were extremely thirsty. Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) ordered the variety of birds for the inspection by forming their rows and he found that Hoopoe bird(HUD HUD) was missing.

Hud Hud has the ability to search deeply located water, no matter how deep the water is located.

Hazrat Suleiman asked for the reason of absence of the Hoopoe bird and after some time Hoopoe bird came to Suleiman and told him that there is a Queen named Bilqees in the city of saba who commits Shirk by worshipping sun beside ALLAH(S.W.T.).

It was a prosperous land and she had a massive throne which according to some narrations was adorned with precious stones, diamonds and pearls.

After hearing about Bilqees, Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) handed Hud Hud a letter to be delivered to Bilqees.

And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? (Surah An-Naml, 20)

"I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)." (Surah An-Naml, 21)

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. (Surah An-Naml, 22)

"I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne. (Surah An-Naml, 23)

"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,- (Surah An-Naml, 24)

"(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. (Surah An-Naml, 25)

"(Allah)!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" (Surah An-Naml, 26)

(Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied! (Surah An-Naml, 27)

"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"... (Surah An-Naml, 28)

The Hud Hud reached the palace of Bilqees and dropped the letter beside her at the time when she was resting.

After getting out of her rest, she saw a letter sent by Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.).

In that letter, Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) asked Bilqees to worship only one creator i.e. ALLAH and stop commiting Shirk.

Bilqees was in astonishment as how the letter reached her and she asked her army about it.

Her army was ready for the battle but Bilqees instead of war sent Hazrat Suleiman expensive gifts and wrote a letter to Hazrat Suleiman to ascertain his integrity but Suleiman(A.S.) paid no heed and thus replied to Bilqees that he has more stronger army than her and she along with her army will be put out of their land.

The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. (Surah An-Naml, 29)

"It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: (Surah An-Naml, 30)

'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'" (Surah An-Naml, 31)

She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence." (Surah An-Naml, 32)

They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." (Surah An-Naml, 33)

She said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave. (Surah An-Naml, 34)

"But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors." (Surah An-Naml, 35)

Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, 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! (Surah An-Naml, 36)

"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)." (Surah An-Naml, 37)

So, Bilqees than thought to meet Hazrat Suleiman A.S. and started her journey to meet Hazrat Suleiman.

The Hud Hud was keeping an eye on Bilqees and informed about the arrival of Bilqees at Suleiman's palace.

[08/04, 3:56 AM] Home Sweet Home: Addressing the chiefs who consisted of men and jinn, and who were all his subordinates, Nabi Sulaimān (‘alayhis Salām) enquired whether any one of them was able to bring the throne of Bilqees to him before her arrival. Present in the gathering was Ifreet, a giant and the most powerful of all the jinn. He said: “I shall bring her throne to you before you end the proceedings of your court.” Usually, Hadhrat Sulaimān (‘alayhis Salām)’s court proceedings endured until about midday. The jinn added that he would execute the task with honesty, therefore trust should be reposed on him in this matter.

Immediately after the jinn advanced his proposal, Aasif Bin Barkhaya who was an Aalim of the Allāh’s Book, and who had the knowledge of the Ism-e-A’zam (A Name of Allāh Ta’ala known to only a few select Auliya), said that he would make dua’ to Allāh Ta’ala, and he was confident that he would deliver the throne quicker than the jinn. Although some Mufassireen say that Aasif was also a jinn, the majority view is that he was a human being. The name of his mother was Baatura and she was from Bani Israael.

Nabi Sulaimān (‘alayhis Salām) said to Aasif: ‘If you are able to accomplish this feat, you will be victorious. If you fail, you will humiliate me among the jinn although I have been appointed the ruler of men and jinn.”

Aasif renewed his wudhu, went into Sajdah, recited the Ism-e-A’zam and supplicated to Allāh Ta’ala. As he supplicated, the throne of Bilqees disappeared into the earth, and instantaneously appeared outside where Hadhrat Sulaimān (‘alayhis Salām) was seated on his throne. Referring to the miraculous appearance of the throne of Bilqees in the presence of Nabi Sulaimān (‘alayhis Salām), the Qur’ān Majeed says:

“When he saw it (the throne) lodged firmly in his presence, He (Nabi Sulaimān) said: ‘This is of the Fadhl (Grace) of my Rabb to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And, whoever is grateful is grateful for his own good, and whoever is ungrateful, then verily, my Rabb is Independent (and) Gracious.” (Surah Namal, Āyat 40)

" He said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" (Surah An-Naml, 38)

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." (Surah An-Naml, 39)

Said one who had knowledge of the Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when (Solomon) 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 !" (Surah An-Naml, 40)

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." (Surah An-Naml, 41)

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)." (Surah An-Naml, 42)

After Bilqees reached the palace of Hazrat Suleiman, she was asked by Suleiman about her throne,"Is your throne like this? She said:It appears to be the very one."

(Surah An Naml, V42).

She was astonished when she saw the throne as she left the throne in the utmost strong security.

Then, Bilqees was asked by Suleiman to enter the palace. When she entered the palace, she tucked up her skirts as she thought she had to pass through the pool of water but then later, she realised that the floor was made up of crystal clear glass.

After seeing all these miracles. the Queen of Saba accepted Islam as she witnessed the external pomp, splendour and power of Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) and realised about the inferiority of her kingdom in comparison to Hazrat Suleiman(A.S.) kingdom.

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 Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds." (Surah An-Naml, 44)

In some narrations, it is said that Suleiman married Bilqees where most scholars do not agree to this.

But whatever the reality is, only ALLAH KNOWS it.

The moral of the story is that after seeing the miracles and power of ALLAH(S. W. T.), Bilqees accepted Islam and in our daily life, we come across amny miracles and even Quran is the miracle which is the miracle given to Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.) and it is the one of the biggest miracle as the final prophet was the most beloved to ALLAH. So to return to the right path, we need to look around us and read this miracle daily.

May ALLAH help us to die upon Imaan and DEEN E MUHAMMADI(S.A.W.).