Nabi Sulaiman

Solomon inherited the knowledge and kingdom of his father, David. He was once tested, then prayed the immortal prayer: "O my God, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that no one after me will have." Allah granted it: the submissive winds blew where he ordered, the genies worked to build tall buildings and statues, plates as big as pools, and dived for pearls - all with Allah's permission.

Allah taught Solomon the language of birds and animals. When his army passed through the ant valley, an ant shouted, "O ants, go into your nests so that you will not be stepped on by Solomon and his soldiers while they are not aware." Sulaiman smiled when he heard this, then prayed - not boasting about his supernatural powers, but begging: "O my God, grant me (the ability) to be grateful for Your blessings."

The hoopoe bird brought news about the land of Saba' led by a queen on a majestic throne, worshiping the sun. Sulaiman sent a letter which opened with Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, inviting him to surrender to Allah. After the queen's envoys and gifts were rejected, Sulaiman asked for his throne to be brought in — a man of knowledge from the Bible brought him a blink of an eye before he blinked. Queen Balqis finally entered the glass-floored palace which she thought was a pool, then vowed: "O my Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds."

Sulaiman died while standing on a stick, and the genies continued to work hard because they thought he was still watching. Only after the termites ate his stick and his body fell, did it become clear that the genie did not know the supernatural - the collapse of human belief in thinking that the genie knew what was hidden.

Unlimited wealth and power did not neglect Solomon: every gift he called "a gift from my Lord, to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful." The story is a proposition that the world can be in the hands, as long as it does not enter the heart - and that da'wah can proceed through letters, diplomacy and wisdom.

Solomon inherited the prophethood and kingship from his father David, then asked for a kingdom that no one else had after him. Allah subdues the winds that blow at his command, makes copper flow, and commands the jinn who build and dive. He was taught the "language" of birds and was given everything - but his glory did not make him forget to be grateful, "This includes the grace of my Lord to test me, whether I am grateful or ungrateful."

When Solomon's army of jinn, humans, and birds marched, they passed through a valley of ants. An ant said, "O ants, go into your nest so that Solomon and his soldiers don't step on it without them realizing it." Sulaiman smiled at this and then prayed, "O my Lord, give me inspiration to remain grateful for Your blessings and so that I do good deeds that You approve of." His power actually increased his humility.

Hud-hud brought news about the Sabaean people who worshiped the sun under a queen (Bilqis). Sulaiman sent a letter inviting monotheism. After the exchange of gifts and the transfer of the queen's throne in an instant by someone who had knowledge of the Book, Bilqis arrived. He thought the glass floor of the palace was water, then opened his feet, and finally realized and believed, "I surrender with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of the worlds."

Solomon died standing leaning on his staff, while the genies continued to work because they thought he was still alive. It was only when termites ate his stick and his body collapsed that the genie realized his death — proof that the genie did not know the supernatural. This event closes the story of the king-prophet who had the greatest power, but remained submissive to Allah until his death.

Solomon proved that even the greatest power, wealth, and miracles do not turn a grateful servant away from his God. The story teaches that position is a trust and a test, and that justice and the preaching of monotheism are more noble than mere splendor.