Prophets of Allah – Solomon: A most excellent servant of God

Prophet Solomonas, also known as Sulayman [سليمان], was a Prophet of Allah and the son of Prophet Davidas. He was the heir of Davidas and was bestowed special knowledge and, as all prophets, was favoured by Allah the Almighty. His people carried trade on sailing boats (Surah al-Anbiya’, Ch.21: V.82) and he, Solomonas, is known famously for the palace (Surah an-Naml, Ch.27: V.45) which shall be discussed further in the article. Like all Prophets, Solomanas was diligent in turning to Allah and was bestowed a high rank.

Prophet Solomonas, who was an excellent servant of God and would often turn to Him, is a well-known and prominent figure mentioned in the Holy Quran. He is considered one of the four great world-rulers in Arab history; renowned for his wisdom and justice. Like all prophets, his knowledge was vast and deep, and even at an early age, he excelled in administering justice with the “[right] understanding” of matters (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V. 80). When his father, Prophet Davidas, passed away, Solomonas was chosen as his successor due to his admirable qualities and esoteric knowledge granted to him by God. (​​The Encyclopedia of Islam, New Edition, Leiden E.J. Brill, 1986, Vol. 9, p. 822)

When we remember Prophet Solomonas, one thing which directly comes to mind is his vast empire which spanned from northern Syria to the Persian Gulf; he also commanded a powerful navy. Solomon’sas reign marked the zenith of Israelite wealth, power, and prestige. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol.4, pp. 2603-2604)

Winds were subjected for Prophet Solomon
Prophet ​​Solomonas was said to possess the ability to understand the speech of birds (Surah an-Naml, Ch.27: V.17), the true purport of which has been discussed already in the article about his father, Prophet Davidas.

He was also believed to have command over a strong wind, which blew for a month in the morning and a month in the evening. (​​The Encyclopedia of Islam, New Edition, Leiden E.J. Brill, 1986, Vol. 9, p. 822) The verse presented for this is as follows:

“And We subjected to Solomon the violent wind. It blew, at his bidding, toward the land which We had blessed. And We have knowledge of all things.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.82)

Upon studying this verse, it should not be understood that Solomonas, at his own will and command, had control over the wind. Alluding to the word الرّيْح (wind), used in the verse quoted above, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira has explained that this probably refers to Prophet Solomon’sas vessels which sailed under his command. (Haqaiq-ul-Furqan [2005], Vol. 3, p. 133) It implies that his people carried on trade in sailing boats. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states that “Hazrat Solomon’sas vessels used to come down with goods from the upper region of Syria; that is, towards Palestine.” (Tafsir-e-Saghir, p. 417)