Sulaymān | |
|---|---|
| سُلَيْمَان | |
 Sulayman holding court on his golden throne. Men, angels, anddivs serve him. | |
| Born | |
| Died | Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel |
| Resting place | Al-Ḥaram ash-Sharīf, Jerusalem |
| Known for | Enslaving theshayatin, communicating with animals anddjinn, and conquering theKingdom of Sheba |
| Title | Ruler of theIsraelites |
| Predecessor | Dawud |
| Successor | Ilyas |
| Father | Dawud |
| Part ofa series onIslam Islamic prophets |
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InIslam,Sulaymān ibn Dāwūd (Arabic:سُلَيْمَان ٱبْن دَاوُوْد,lit. 'Solomon, son ofDavid') is described as anabī (نَبِيّ,lit. 'prophet') and ruler of theIsraelites in theQuran. Since therise of Islam, variousMuslim historians have regarded Solomon as one of the greatest rulers in history.[1] Solomon's rule inspired several Islamic leaders throughout history.
Solomon is regarded to have been bestowed byGod thegift to speak to animals anddjinn. Furthermore was granted the ability to enslave thedevils (Arabic:شَيَاطِين,romanized: šayāṭīn; f.v.Persian:دیو,romanized: div) with the help of a staff or ring given by God.[2][3] Solomon's battle with the demons plays an important role inSufistic interpretations of Islam as the internal struggle of the self against demonic urges.
Generally,Islamic tradition holds that he was the third ruler of the Israelites and a wise one.[4] In contrast toTalmudic tradition, Muslims maintain that Solomon remaineda faithful to God throughout his life and was blessed with authority given to none before nor after him. Despite his miraculous abilities, his success stems from solely relying on God, as seen in the challenge of bringing the Throne ofSheba. For that, he was, according to the Quran, promised nearness to God inJannah (جَنّة,lit. 'Paradise') at the end of his life.[5]
In the earliest narrative involving Sulayman, theQuran (21:78) briefly alludes to a story that Sulayman was in the company of his father, when two men came to askDavid to judge between them regarding aḥarth (حَرْث, field).[6] Later Muslim commentators expanded on the allusion, includingal-Tabari,Baidawi, andIbn Kathir.[7][8][9] They said that the first of the two men said that he owned avineyard of which he took great care the whole year through. But one day, when he was absent, the other man'ssheep had strayed into the vineyard and devoured thegrapes. He asked to be compensated for this damage.[10]: 62 Upon hearing the man's complaint, Solomon suggested that the owner of the sheep take the other man's vineyard to repair and cultivate until the vines returned to their former state, whereupon he should return it to its owner. At the same time, the owner of the vineyard would care for the sheep and benefit from theirwool andmilk until his land was returned to him, at which point he would return the sheep to their owner. This response shows Solomon's level of judgment, which, the Quran says,[11] would characterize Sulayman throughout his life.Ḥikmah (Wisdom), according to Muslim tradition, would always be associated with Solomon, who would later even be referred to asSulaymān al-Ḥakīm (سُلَيْمَان ٱلْحَكِيْم, "Sulayman the Wise"). This story is adapted in theKebra Nagast, but as a dispute adjudicated by a son of Sulayman.
The Quran narrates that Solomon,[12] controlled the wind and the jinn. The jinn helped strengthen Solomon's reign. God caused a miraculousʿayn (عَيْن, 'fount' or 'spring') of moltenqiṭr (قِطْر, 'brass' or 'copper') to flow for Solomon, used by the jinn in their construction.[12] Thedevils (shayatin)[13] and demons were forced building for him monuments.[14]
When David died, Solomon inherited his position as the prophetic king of the Israelites. Solomon once permitted a woman to build a statue of her father. Later, she began to worship the statue and Solomon was rebuked for tolerating idolatry in his kingdom. He later repents his sin and gains control over the demons again, focusing on building the temple again.[15] He prayed to God to grant him a kingdom which would be unlike any after him.[16] God accepted Solomon's prayer and gave him what he pleased
Construedallegorically, Solomon's loss of his ring to the demons, may be understood to represent a human losing its soul to demonic passion.[17]Attar of Nishapur writes: "If you bind thediv (demon), you will set out for the royal pavilion with Solomon" and "You have no command over your self's kingdom, for in your case thediv is in the place of Solomon".[18]
Unlike the Talmudic tradition, Solomon was unaware and never participated in idolatry.[19] Further, the Quran rejects that Solomon was a magician: "Never did Solomon disbelieve, rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people..." (2:102)
Solomon was taught the languages of various animals, such asants. The Quran recounts that, one day, Solomon and his army entered awādin-naml (وَادِ ٱلْنَّمْل,valley of the ant). On seeing Solomon and his army, anamlah (نَمْلَة, female ant) warned all the others to "get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."[20] Immediately understanding what the ant said, Solomon, as always, prayed to God, thanking him for bestowing upon him such gifts[21] and further avoided trampling over the ant colonies.[10]: 63 [22] Solomon's wisdom, however, was yet another of the gifts he received from God, and Muslims maintain that Solomon never forgot his daily prayer, which was more important to him than any of his gifts.
Exegetical literature emphasizes the ant's wisdom and explains the meaning behind Solomon's gift to control the wind. According to theSiraj al-Qulub, a popular text with versions in Persian,Oghuz Turkic, andKarluc Turkic,[23](p191) the ant asked Solomon if he knows why he is called "Solomon" (Süleyman). Solomon says he does not, whereupon the ant goes on to explain: "Although your heart was sound (selim) and you know the circumstances of the next world, you have accepted a few pleasures of this world and have been deceived by its possession and kingship; therefore you are called Solomon." Afterwards, the ant asks Solomon if he knows why God has subdued the wind for him. Once again, Solomon negates and the ant answers: "He has subdued the wind for a reason: that which you have accepted is nothing. Just as the wind passes, the world's wealth and kingship pass too." Scholars likeFakhr al-Din Razi andal-Qurtubi elevated the ant to the rank of an exemplar for humans to follow.[23](p198)
Another important aspect of Solomon's kingship was the size of his army, which consisted of both men and jinn. Solomon would frequently assess his troops and warriors as well as the jinn and all the animals who worked under him. One day, when inspecting his troops, Solomon found theHud-hud (هُدْهُد,Hoopoe) missing from the assembly.[24] Soon afterwards, however, the Hud-hud arrived at Solomon's court, saying "I have found out something you do not know. I have just come to you fromSheba with sure news."[25] The Hud-hud further told Solomon that the people ofShebaworshiped the Sun, and that the woman who ruled the kingdom was highly intelligent and powerful. Solomon, who listened closely, chose to write a letter to the land of Sheba, through which he would try to convince the people of Sheba to cease their idolatrous worship of theSun, and come to the worship ofGod. Solomon ordered the Hud-hud to give the letter to theQueen of Sheba (Bilqis), and then to hide and observe her reaction.[10]: 64 The Hud-hud accepted Solomon's orders, and flew straight back to Sheba to deliver the letter to the Queen. The Queen then called her ministers to court and read aloud to them the letter from Solomon stating to the people of Sheba: "In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me, fully submitting (Muslimīnمُسْلِمِيْن)." She took counsel with her ministers and other court officials, saying "O chiefs! Advise me in this matter of mine, for I would never make any decision without you." The people of the court replied: "We are a people of strength and great ˹military˺ might, but the decision is yours, so decide what you will command." At length, however, the Queen came to Solomon, announcing her submission to God.[26]
While Bilqis was journeying to Solomon's court, the king bid his servants deliver her throne thither before her arrival. Anifrit offered his services (27:38-40), but Solomon declined, entrusting this task instead to a manservant, namedAsif ibn Barkhiya in traditions. Being a pious fellow, the manservant prayed to God to move the throne for him. His prayer was answered, the throne appearing in Solomon's palace by the power of God. When Bilqis arrived, Solomon asked her if she recognised her throne. Struggling to grasp the miracle God had wrought, she at first gave the king an evasive answer, but later adopting the faith of Solomon, won over by the evidence that the miracle was not that of a mere Ifrit but that of God himself. Solomon had declined the ifrit's tempting offer, because he sought to rely solely upon God and not upon a demon or any other created being, and was rewarded for his piety with success in converting Bilqis to the true faith.[27]
The Quran relates that Solomon died while he was leaning upon his staff and that he remained standing, propped up by it, until a little creature – ant or worm – gnawed at it, until, finally, it gave way – and only then did his body collapse.
When We decreed Solomon's death, nothing indicated to the ˹subjected˺ jinn that he was dead except the termites eating away his staff. So when he collapsed, the jinn realized that if they had ˹really˺ known the unseen, they would not have remained in ˹such˺ humiliating servitude.
As he remained upright, propped on his staff, the jinn thought he was still alive and supervising them.
They realized the truth only when God sent a creature to crawl out of the ground and gnaw at Solomon's staff, until his body collapsed. This verse is understood to teach the audience that jinn do not know theunseen (Al-Ghaib) – had they known it, they would not have remained toiling like fools in the service of a dead man.[28]
The title“The Sulaymān of the Age was employed for various leaders of theSeljuk Sultanate of Rum.[30][31] Among themSuleiman II of Rûm,Kilij Arslan II, andSuleiman ibn Qutalmish.[32] They were compared to the Quranic prophet due to theirgovernmental body (Divan), consisting of people speaking various languages, includingGreek,Armenian,Turkish, and later,Mongolian, foreign craftsmen (compared to the jinn at Solomon's court), and usage of messenger pigeons.[33]
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Jamshid was the fourth king of the world, according to theShāhnāma of the poetFirdausī. Like Solomon, he was believed to have had command over all theangels anddemons (dīv) of the world, and was both king and high priest of Hormozd (middle Persian forAhura Mazda). He was responsible for many great inventions that made life more secure for his people: the manufacture of armor and weapons, the weaving and dyeing of clothes of linen, silk and wool, the building of houses of brick, the mining of jewels and precious metals, the making of perfumes and wine, the art of medicine, the navigation of the waters of the world in sailing ships. He Jamshid had now become the greatest monarch the world had ever known. He was endowed with the royalfarr (Avestan:khvarena), a radiant splendor that burned about him by divine favor.
Due to similarities between the two wise monarchs, some traditions conflate the two. For example, Solomon was associated with ruling over the southwestern Iran in the works ofal-Balkhi.Persepolis was believed to be the seat of Solomon and described as "playground of Solomon" by scholars such asMas'udi,Muqaddasi andIstakhri. Other Muslim authors have opposed the belief that Solomon once ruled inIranPersia, arguing that any similarities between the lives and deeds of Solomon and Jamshid are purely coincidental, the two being distinct and separate personages.[34][35] The latter view has been vindicated by scholarship in the field of Indo-European mythology, which has demonstrated conclusively that the character Jamshid derives from the early Zoroastrian deityYima,[36][37] whereas Quranic and Biblical scholarship support a measure of historicity for the wise prophet king.[38]
As inspired byverses of the Quran, some Muslims[which?] believed thatMuhammad (Arabic:مُحَمَّد "praiseworthy", consonant letters: m-ħ-m-d) is mentioned in the [Song of Songs](5:16) (Hebrew:מַחֲמַדִּים "beloved, desirable, delightful", consonant letters: m-ħ-m-d-y-m,maḥămaddim).[39]
Media related toSolomon in Islam at Wikimedia Commons
