Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Sulaiman (AS) was born in Jerusalem, Israel. Sulaiman (AS) was the son of Prophet Dawood (AS). Dawood (AS) was the wise King of Israel and a noble Prophet of Allah.

LIFE

Sulaiman (AS) learned from his father’s vast knowledge and judgment, and often joined his father during hearings. He was an observer and learned from him, and occasionally contributed to the discussion.

One day Prophet Dawood (AS) called his 19 sons in front of the chiefs and academic scholars of his kingdom. He then put forth the following questions:

1. Which thing is closest (nearest) to man?
2. Which is the farthest thing?
3. Which two things are attached to each other?
4. Which is the most awe-creating thing?
5. Which two things remain unchanged?
6. Which two things are always different?
7. Which two things are opposed to each other?
8. What is the action the result of which is good?
9. What is that action the result of which is bad?

The sons of Prophet Dawood (AS) became flustered and couldn’t answer these questions. The youngest of the sons, Sulaiman (AS) stood up and gave the following answers:

1. The nearest thing to a man is the hereafter (Life and Death, as one may die any moment).
2. The farthest thing is the time that has passed away (which is not to come again).
3. The two things that are attached to each other are man’s body and soul.
4. The most awe-creating is the man’s body (dead) without a soul.
5. The two things which remain the same are the sky and the earth.
6. The two things which are different are day and night.
7. The two things which are opposed to each other are life and death.
8. The action – the end of which is good – is patience and forbearance in the time of anger.
9. The action – the end of which is bad is haste at the time of anger.

Impressed by these answers Prophet Dawood (AS) appointed his son Sulaiman (AS) to take charge following his death. So, with the passing of time Sulaiman (AS) inherited the kingdom of Israel and was elected by Allah to continue his Prophethood.

Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and his battalion of men, jinns, and birds, “came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, “O ants, enter your dwellings that you are not crushed by Sulaiman (AS) and his soldiers while they perceive not.” So Sulaiman (AS) smiled, amused at her speech, and said, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for your favor which you have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which you approve. And admit me by your mercy into [the ranks of] your righteous servants.” Surah Naml Ayat 18-19

In his mission as a Prophet of Allah, Sulaiman (AS) built a prominent place of worship, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. From there Sulaiman (AS) and his followers made a pilgrimage to Makkah. On completion of their Hajj, they traveled to Yemen where Sulaiman (AS) witnessed the Yemeni’s incredible water channeling mechanism. He desired to replicate this system in his own land but knew that they had insufficient springs. Determined to find a way, Sulaiman (AS) set about looking for the Hoopoe bird, which had the ability to detect water underground. But the bird was nowhere in sight. Sulaiman (AS) who grew increasingly impatient exclaimed, “Why do I not see the Hoopoe bird or is he among the absent? I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him unless he brings me a clear reason!

Prophet Sulaiman (AS) lived and reigned in glory. Much of his public work was performed by the jinns as a punishment for people to believe that jinns had knowledge of the unseen. Sulaiman (AS) taught his people that Allah alone had such knowledge. Even Prophet Sulaiman (AS)’s death was a lesson in this regard.

Sulaiman (AS) was seated, holding his staff, while he oversees some jinns working in a mine. The jinns, who were terrified of Sulaiman (AS), were heavily focused on the building when Allah decided to take Sulaiman (AS)’s life.

No one was aware of his death, until days later, a hungry ant began nibbling on his wooden staff. As it ate on, the staff broke and Prophet Sulaiman (AS)’s body that was leaning on it fell to the floor. People ran to their Prophet and soon realized that he had died long ago. Thus, everyone learned that if the jinns possessed the knowledge of the unseen, they wouldn’t have tormented themselves working hard, thinking Sulaiman (AS) was watching them. The life and death of Sulaiman (AS) are indeed full of miracles from which mankind can derive incredible lessons.

MIRACLES

Allah granted Sulaiman (AS) his wish and bestowed upon him many miracles, like the ability to control the wind which he used to travel at incredible speeds. Allah gifted Sulaiman (AS) with miracles that no other Prophet had: Sulaiman (AS) could understand and communicate with all kinds of animals. The jinns are unseen beings created by Allah, and Sulaiman (AS) was given the power to command them too.