Introduction

Among all the prophets whose lives inspire me, The Story of Prophet Sulaiman A.S. has always fascinated me the most. His story is one of power balanced by humility, wealth guided by wisdom, and authority rooted in faith. He wasn’t just a ruler or a prophet, he was a man who used every gift Allah gave him to serve truth and justice.

As I study his life, I am reminded that true greatness lies not in the kingdom one owns, but in how one rules the heart. Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) was a king who ruled over men, jinn, animals, and the wind yet he bowed down to Allah in deep gratitude every day. His story, filled with divine miracles and profound lessons, teaches us that power is only a trust, and gratitude is its rightful guardian.

Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) in the Qur’an

The Qur’an presents Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) as a remarkable example of knowledge, justice, and gratitude. Allah mentions him in several chapters, highlighting his wisdom and extraordinary blessings.

“And We certainly gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and they said, ‘Praise be to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.’”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:15)

This verse reflects not pride, but gratitude. Both Sulaiman (A.S.) and his father, Prophet Dawood (A.S.), recognized that their power and wisdom were not earned by worldly means but gifted by Allah.

Sulaiman’s ability to communicate with animals and command the wind was a clear sign of divine favor. Yet, what makes his story so inspiring is how he remained humble, fair, and deeply obedient to Allah despite his immense might.

Early Life and Inheritance of Prophethood

Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) was the son of Prophet Dawood (A.S.), a man of justice and devotion. From a young age, Sulaiman displayed remarkable intelligence and insight. One of the earliest examples of his wisdom appears in the Qur’an:

“And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field when the sheep of a people overran it at night, and We were witness to their judgment. And We gave understanding of it to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgment and knowledge.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:78–79)

Even as a youth, Sulaiman’s ability to reason and understand divine law surpassed expectation. It reminds me that wisdom is not tied to age, it is a light that Allah places in the hearts of those who are sincere and just.

After Prophet Dawood’s passing, Sulaiman inherited not just his father’s kingdom, but also his prophethood. Allah granted him dominion over men, jinn, animals, and the elements of nature yet Sulaiman (A.S.) saw these not as privileges, but as responsibilities.

Father of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) عليه السلام

The noble father of Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) was Prophet Dawood (David) عليه السلام, one of the greatest Prophets and kings chosen by Allah ﷻ. Dawood was blessed with wisdom, justice, and the revealed book Zabur (Psalms). Allah ﷻ granted him both spiritual guidance and worldly authority, making him a model of righteous leadership. His son Sulaiman inherited his knowledge, kingdom, and devotion to Allah, continuing his father’s legacy of justice and gratitude. The Qur’an says:

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ
“And Solomon inherited David.”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:16)

This verse shows not just inheritance of a kingdom, but the inheritance of prophethood, wisdom, and responsibility. Together, Dawood and Sulaiman (عليهما السلام) remind us that true success is not in power or wealth, but in using one’s blessings to serve Allah with justice, humility, and gratitude.

The Kingdom of Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.)

Prophet Sulaiman’s kingdom was unlike any other in human history. With Allah’s permission, he ruled over all creation- men, jinn, birds, and beasts. The wind carried his armies swiftly from one region to another, and the jinn built for him palaces, statues, and fortresses.

“And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind — its morning [journey was that of] a month — and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month. And We made flow for him a spring of [molten] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord.”
(Surah Saba, 34:12–13)

Imagine such a scene, a king whose throne shimmered under the sun, surrounded by men and jinn serving in harmony, all under the command of Allah. Yet, Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) never allowed pride to touch his heart. Every time he witnessed Allah’s miracles, he bowed in gratitude, saying:

“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.”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:19)

Whenever I read this verse, it humbles me deeply. It shows how gratitude protects faith from arrogance, a timeless lesson for all who are blessed with power or success.

The Language of Animals

One of the greatest miracles of Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) was his ability to understand and communicate with animals and birds. The Qur’an beautifully illustrates this moment when the Prophet listened to the ant’s warning to its colony.

“Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, ‘O ants, enter your dwellings so that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.’ So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech.”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:18–19)

I often find this passage heartwarming. Here was a mighty king commanding vast armies, yet he stopped to smile at the wisdom of a tiny creature. It reflects the essence of humility — recognizing Allah’s greatness in every part of His creation, no matter how small.

The Story of the Hoopoe and the Queen of Sheba

Perhaps the most captivating episode in The Story of Prophet Sulaiman A.S. is his encounter with the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis). One day, Prophet Sulaiman noticed that the hoopoe bird was missing from its usual place in the ranks. When it returned, the bird brought astonishing news.

“I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:22–23)

Intrigued, Sulaiman (A.S.) sent her a letter, inviting her to submit to Allah. The queen, known for her intelligence, decided to visit Sulaiman and see for herself the truth of his message.

Before her arrival, Sulaiman asked who among his subjects could bring her throne before she arrived. A powerful jinn offered to do it before he rose from his seat, but a man who had knowledge of the Scripture said he could do it “before the blink of an eye.” And so, by Allah’s will, the throne appeared instantly.

“So when he saw it placed firmly before him, he said, ‘This is by the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful.’”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:40)

This moment shows the core of Sulaiman’s (A.S.) faith — his miracles were not for display but for reflection. When the Queen of Sheba witnessed his wisdom and justice, she embraced the truth, saying:

“My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
(Surah An-Naml, 27:44)

Her conversion was not forced but inspired a transformation born from witnessing divine justice in action.

Prophet Sulaiman’s (A.S.) Miracles and Blessings

Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) was gifted with numerous miracles, each serving a purpose to strengthen faith and benefit humanity. Some of these included:

• Control over the wind: allowing rapid travel and transportation.

• Command over the jinn: who built palaces and worked under his order.

• Understanding the speech of animals: a gift of divine communication.

• Authority over nature and creation: symbolizing Allah’s trust in him.

• The throne miracle: a demonstration of Allah’s limitless power.

These blessings remind me that miracles are not about personal gain; they are signs of Allah’s majesty and a call for deeper gratitude.

Wisdom and Justice in Prophet Sulaiman’s (A.S.) Reign

Sulaiman’s (A.S.) reign was known for absolute justice. His judgments were guided by divine wisdom, ensuring that truth always prevailed. One famous narration describes how he resolved a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same child.

He suggested dividing the child equally between them, and when one woman immediately protested to save the child’s life, Sulaiman declared her the true mother.

This story displays both compassion and insight understanding human emotion through divine wisdom. It teaches me that justice is not just about the law, but about understanding the heart.

The Death of Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.)

The end of The Story of Prophet Sulaiman A.S. is as powerful as his life. The Qur’an describes how he passed away while leaning on his staff, overseeing the work of the jinn. His body remained standing until a creature gnawed through his staff, and he finally fell. Only then did the jinn realize that they were not aware of the unseen.

“Then when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated to them his death except a creature of the earth eating his staff; but when he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.”
(Surah Saba, 34:14)

Even in death, Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) served as a sign of Allah’s power and the limits of human knowledge.

Lessons from the Story of Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.)

Every time I reflect on his story, I find new lessons that resonate with modern life:

• Gratitude preserves blessings.

• Power is a trust, not a privilege.

• Wisdom outweighs wealth.

• True strength lies in humility.

• Justice demands empathy.

• Faith is the foundation of leadership.

• Miracles are signs, not symbols of pride.

Qur’anic References

• Surah An-Naml (27:15–44) : His wisdom, miracles, and the story of the Queen of Sheba.

• Surah Al-Anbiya (21:78–79) : His early wisdom and judgment.

• Surah Saba (34:12–14) : His control over wind, jinn, and his death.

If you liked The Story of Prophet Sulaiman A.S., explore more from our Prophets’ series:

• The Story of Prophet Dawood (A.S.) : The wise father and king.

• The Story of Prophet Musa (A.S.) :The liberator and messenger of Allah.

• The Story of Prophet Yusuf (A.S.) : The tale of patience and divine destiny.

Conclusion

The Story of Prophet Sulaiman A.S. is one of the most profound narratives in the Qur’an, a timeless reminder that wisdom and humility are greater than worldly might. His life shows how faith transforms authority into service and power into justice.

Whenever I read about his story, I feel renewed with a sense of balance that no matter how high we rise, the key to success lies in bowing before the Almighty in gratitude and sincerity.