THE SUCCESS OF PROPHET SULAIMAN (ASW)

THE SUCCESS OF THE SUCCESS OF PROPHET SULAIMAN PROPHET SULAIMAN

(ASW)(ASW)

By: Abdulfattah A. AdeyemiBy: Abdulfattah A. Adeyemi

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

WHO WAS SOLOMON?WHO WAS SOLOMON?

ONE OF ALLAH’S PROPHETSONE OF ALLAH’S PROPHETS

WHO WERE THE PROPHETS?WHO WERE THE PROPHETS?

DAVID’S HEIRDAVID’S HEIR

WHO WAS SOLOMON? Contd…WHO WAS SOLOMON? Contd…

HIS KINGDOMHIS KINGDOM

Kingdom of IsraelThe kingdom of Israel reached the height of its power and included the most territory under the reign of King David (1000–961 bc). Its borders stretched far beyond present-day Israeli borders and included parts of what is now Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.

WHO WAS SOLOMON? Contd…WHO WAS SOLOMON? Contd…

WISDOM FROM WISDOM FROM CHILDHOODCHILDHOOD

SOLOMON AND THE TRIALSOLOMON AND THE TRIAL

SOLOMON AND THE SOLOMON AND THE SPECIAL PRAYERSPECIAL PRAYER

SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S BOUNTIESBOUNTIES CONROL OF THE WINDCONROL OF THE WIND

(Q21: 81)(Q21: 81)(It was Our power that made) the violent (It was Our power that made) the violent

(unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon to (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon to his order to the land which We had his order to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things. blessed: for We do know all things.

Q34: 12 Q34: 12 And to Solomon (We made) the Wind And to Solomon (We made) the Wind

(obedient): its early morning (stride) was a (obedient): its early morning (stride) was a month's (journey) and its evening (stride) month's (journey) and its evening (stride) was a month's (journey);was a month's (journey);

SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S BOUNTIES (contd…)BOUNTIES (contd…) CONTROL OVER IRONCONTROL OVER IRON

(Q34: 12) (Q34: 12) and We made a Font of molten brass to flow for and We made a Font of molten brass to flow for

him; him;

CONTROL OF JINNSCONTROL OF JINNS

(Q34: 12 - 13)(Q34: 12 - 13)and there were Jinns that worked in front of him by the leave and there were Jinns that worked in front of him by the leave

of his Lord and if any of them turned aside from Our of his Lord and if any of them turned aside from Our command We made Him taste of the Penalty of the Blazing command We made Him taste of the Penalty of the Blazing Fire. Fire.

They worked for him as he desired (making) Arches Images They worked for him as he desired (making) Arches Images Basins as large as Reservoirs and (cooking) Cauldrons fixed Basins as large as Reservoirs and (cooking) Cauldrons fixed (in their places): "Work ye sons of David with thanks! But (in their places): "Work ye sons of David with thanks! But few of My servants are grateful!"few of My servants are grateful!"

SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S BOUNTIES (contd…)BOUNTIES (contd…) SOLOMON AND THE ANTSSOLOMON AND THE ANTS

UNDERSTOOD THE SPEECH OF UNDERSTOOD THE SPEECH OF BIRDS AND OTHER ANIMALSBIRDS AND OTHER ANIMALS

SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S BOUNTIES (contd…)BOUNTIES (contd…) SOLOMON AND THE HOOPOESOLOMON AND THE HOOPOE

Hoopoe in Natural HabitatUpupa epops Reaching 30 cm (12 in) in length, the hoopoe has a fan-shaped crest and vivid black-and-white striped tail and wings. This elaborately decorated bird from southern Europe, Asia, and southern Africa spends its days probing the soil for insects and grubs. Although timid, the hoopoe can elude most birds of prey. The bird’s nest is easy to identify by its foul-smelling accumulation of faecal matter.

SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S SOLOMON AND ALLAH’S BOUNTIES (contd…)BOUNTIES (contd…) SOLOMON AND QUEEN BILKIS OF SOLOMON AND QUEEN BILKIS OF

SHEBAH (SABAH)SHEBAH (SABAH)

Queen of ShebaThe Queen of Sheba, who figures in biblical, Islamic, and Ethiopian tradition, is shown here on her way to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem. This illustration by Edmund Dulac is from the early 20th century.

QUEEN BILKIS OF SHEBAH QUEEN BILKIS OF SHEBAH (SABAH)(SABAH)(Q27: 32 - 34)(Q27: 32 - 34)She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair:

no affair have I decided except in your presence." no affair have I decided except in your presence." They said: "We are endued with strength and given They said: "We are endued with strength and given

to vehement war: but the command is with thee; to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." so consider what thou wilt command." She said: "Kings when they enter a country despoil She said: "Kings when they enter a country despoil

it and make the noblest of its people its meanest: it and make the noblest of its people its meanest: thus do they behave. thus do they behave.

The character of Queen Bilqis, as The character of Queen Bilqis, as disclosed here, is that ofdisclosed here, is that of

a ruler enjoying great wealth and dignity, and the a ruler enjoying great wealth and dignity, and the full confidence of her subjects. full confidence of her subjects.

She does nothing without consulting her Council, She does nothing without consulting her Council, and her Council are ready to carry out her and her Council are ready to carry out her commands in all things. commands in all things.

Her people are manly, loyal, and contented, and Her people are manly, loyal, and contented, and ready to take the field against any enemy of their ready to take the field against any enemy of their country. But their queen is prudent in policy, and country. But their queen is prudent in policy, and is not willing to embroil her country in war. is not willing to embroil her country in war.

The character of Queen Bilqis, as The character of Queen Bilqis, as disclosed here, is that ofdisclosed here, is that of

She has the discrimination to see that Solomon is She has the discrimination to see that Solomon is not like ordinary kings who conquer by violence. not like ordinary kings who conquer by violence.

She wishes to carry her people with her in She wishes to carry her people with her in whatever she does, because she is as loyal to whatever she does, because she is as loyal to them as they are to her. them as they are to her.

An exchange of presents would probably An exchange of presents would probably establish better relations between the two establish better relations between the two kingdoms.kingdoms.

In Bilqis we have a picture of womanhood, gentle, In Bilqis we have a picture of womanhood, gentle, prudent, and able to tame the wider passions of prudent, and able to tame the wider passions of her subjects.her subjects.

PROPHET SULAIMAN (ASW)PROPHET SULAIMAN (ASW)

ISSUES IN HIS LIFEISSUES IN HIS LIFE

HIS DEATHHIS DEATH

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM SULAIMAN’S SUCCESSSULAIMAN’S SUCCESS

GRATITUDE TO ALLAH: GRATITUDE TO ALLAH: the word “Alamdulillah” was the word “Alamdulillah” was always on his lips in appreciation of Allah’s bounties and always on his lips in appreciation of Allah’s bounties and favours.favours.

KINDNESS (THE ANT’S TESTIMONY): - KINDNESS (THE ANT’S TESTIMONY): - The ants The ants proved he was not a tyrant; he would not step on them proved he was not a tyrant; he would not step on them knowingly. Let even the meanest of your subordinates testify knowingly. Let even the meanest of your subordinates testify to your mercy and kindness.to your mercy and kindness.

SUPPLICATION: - SUPPLICATION: - Still called on Allah in all Still called on Allah in all circumstance. He prayed to be given the grace of gratitude: circumstance. He prayed to be given the grace of gratitude: if Allah grants you, you are sure of an increase.if Allah grants you, you are sure of an increase.

CLOSENESS TO ALLAH: - CLOSENESS TO ALLAH: - His wealth, knowledge and His wealth, knowledge and power did not turn him away from Allah as is the case with power did not turn him away from Allah as is the case with some wealthy ones who are too ‘busy’ to serve Allah and to some wealthy ones who are too ‘busy’ to serve Allah and to associate with the believers.associate with the believers.

SUCCESS: - SUCCESS: - Indeed the true success is that of this world Indeed the true success is that of this world and the hereafter.and the hereafter.

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM SULAIMAN’S SUCCESSSULAIMAN’S SUCCESS

WISDOMWISDOM - - The greatest gift anyone can ever have. A gift The greatest gift anyone can ever have. A gift for all the Prophets and great men in history. A tool for for all the Prophets and great men in history. A tool for da’wah, indispensable in maintaining justice.da’wah, indispensable in maintaining justice.

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE - - He learnt! you don’t inherit knowledge if He learnt! you don’t inherit knowledge if you do not seek it.you do not seek it.

FAMILY BACKGROUNDFAMILY BACKGROUND - - Things he learnt from his Things he learnt from his father; he got the best of legacies and he made use of his father; he got the best of legacies and he made use of his opportunities.opportunities.

COURAGECOURAGE - - he ventured and advanced for excellence. he ventured and advanced for excellence. Gifts, knowledge and wisdom do not come to those Gifts, knowledge and wisdom do not come to those perpetually in their comfort zone.perpetually in their comfort zone.

EXPERTISE/CONFIDENCEEXPERTISE/CONFIDENCE – – He was sure and aware He was sure and aware of his gifts, hence his responsibilities, and gratitude to Allah.of his gifts, hence his responsibilities, and gratitude to Allah.

JUSTICEJUSTICE GENEROUSITYGENEROUSITY

The Death of Prophet Suleiman The Death of Prophet Suleiman ASAS

Prophet Solomon ruled for 30 years, and his public work was largely carried out by the jinns. This was a punishment for their sins of making people believe that they were all-powerful, knew the unseen, and could foresee the future. As a prophet, Solomon had the duty to remove such false beliefs from them.

And then the time destined by Allah Almighty came for the death of Solomon. Like his life, his death too was unusual; and Allah devised it as a means to teach the people that the domain of the world of the unseen including the future is known to Allah alone. Thus, even the death of Solomon served an important purpose.

Solomon was sitting holding his staff, overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position.

For a long time, no one was aware of his death, for he was seen sitting erect. (The explanations of the story of Solomon were adapted from the exegesis of the Qur'an by the Islamic scholar, Ibn Kathir).

The jinns continued with their toil, thinking that the king was watching over them. Days passed, and the king's death became known only when his supporting stick, eaten by termites gave way and the body fell to the ground:

*{They worked for him as he desired, making arches, images,

basins as large as reservoirs, and cooking cauldrons fixed in their places: "Work you, sons of David, with thanks! But few of My servants are grateful.

Then, when We decreed Solomon's death, nothing showed them his death except a little worm of the earth that kept slowly gnawing away at his staff: So when he fell down, the jinns saw plainly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have tarried in the humiliating penalty of their task.}* (Saba' 34:13-14)