Oryza Sativa Afra Iftikar

PB. Soedirman Islamic Junior High School

PROPHET SULAIMAN AS

After the death of Prophet Daud AS, now Prophet Sulaiman AS became
the king. He begged Allah for a kingdom such as none after him would have. Allah
SWT granted him his wish. Besides the wisdom, Allah had blessed the Prophet
with many abilities. He could command the wind, and he could understand the
language of birds and animals, and even talk to them! The Prophet ruled the
kingdom wisely, and at his commands they built huge temples, fortresses, towers
and palaces.

Once, Prophet Sulaiman AS and his army, were passing through valley, while
going to Askalon. While they were passing through the valley, an ant saw the
approaching army. He then cried out to warn the other ants. “Run to your homes!
Or else, Sulaiman and his army will unintentionally crush you!”. The Prophet was
very amused to hear this. “Even the small ants know that I’m a Prophet!” He
thought. He then thanked Allah for saving the ants life.

Sulaiman AS had jinn, and birds serving in his army as well. They were all
kept in order and ranks, and the Prophet demanded strict discipline among them.
That is why he was very upset to find that one bird, the hoopoe was absent
without his consent. However, the bird soon appeared to explain his absence. The
little bird had been scouting in areas where the Prophet had not yet scouted. “I
have discovered something which you are not aware of. I am coming from Sab’a
with important news.”

The Prophet’s anger subsided and he became curious. The bird continued,
“Sab’a is ruled by a Queen named Bilqis, who has plenty of everything, even a
splendid throne!”. “But in spite of all this wealth, they are worshipping the Sun
instead of Allah!”

The Prophet wanted to test if the Hoopoe was saying the truth, so he sent
a letter to the queen. The bird carried the letter to the kingdom of Bilqis. The
Hoopoe dropped the letter in front of the queen and flew away to hide.
 The queen opened the letter, and she read the greetings from the Prophet.
The Prophet had also asked her to submit to Allah SWT. The queen was very
disturbed, so she summoned her advisors. They told her that even though their
country had the strength to wage a war, they wanted her to arrive at a peaceful
settlement. Then they came up with an idea! They decided to send their
messengers to the Prophet’s palace, on the pretext of carrying gifts. They asked
the messengers to learn about the Prophet’s army and kingdom!

When the messengers arrived at the Prophet’s palace, they realized that
Sab’a was nothing compared to the Prophet’s kingdom! They were surprised to see
the lions, tigers and birds serving in the army! And when they walked into the
palace, they realized that Sab’as wealth was nothing compared to the Prophet’s.
Even the floor of the palace was made of Sandalwood and Gold!

Sulaiman AS realized that the messengers were here to gather information

about him. When the messengers offered the gifts, they were shocked to see
the Prophet’s reaction! The Prophet told them, “Allah has given me enough wealth,
and a large kingdom! He has even made me a Prophet.” He then asked them not to
open the covers of the gifts, and to take them back. He also sent a message to
the queen warning to destroy their country, if she didn’t accept Allah SWT.

The queen envoy returned with the gifts, and gave her the message. They
also told her about the wonderful things they had seen. Instead of taking offence,
she decided to visit the Prophet.

Accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she left Sab’a. When
Sulaiman AS heard that the Queen of Sab’a was on her way, he decided to test
her. He asked the jinn to bring the throne of Bilqis, before the queen reached.
One of the jinn placed the throne within the blink of an eye! He then had the
throne, disguised to test whether the queen would accept it in its changed
condition.

When Bilqis arrived at the palace, she was welcomed with pomp and
ceremony. The Prophet then asked her pointing at the throne, if this belonged to
her. Bilqis was confused. She looked at the throne again and again. After much
confusion, she said, “It looks so, it resembles mine very much!”. The Prophet
judged that she was intelligent and diplomatic.
 He then invited her to the great hall. The floor of this hall was laid in solid
glass! When the queen entered the hall, she thought this was water. So she lifted
her skirt lightly, from the fear of wetting it. The Prophet then informed her that
this was actually glass, and not water! Bilqis was amazed! She had never seen such
things before. She realized that she was in the company of a very knowledgeable
person, who has not only a great ruler, but also a messenger of Allah.

When she returned to Sab’a, she understood that the sun which they
worshipped was nothing but one of Allah’s creation. She repented, gave up
worshipping the sun, and asked her people to do the same.

Sulaiman AS lived amidst glory, and all creatures obeyed him.

~End~