Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

torment him with a strict torment or indeed I will definitely slay him, or indeed
he should definitely come up to me with an evident, all-binding authority.”
(TMQ, 27: 20, 21). Solaiman (AS) not only asked where the hoopoe was but asked
also for the reason for his absence which, in fact, shows how orderly was the
kingdom. The hoopoe is a tiny soldier; his absence doesn’t really affect the army’s
power but violates the discipline in Solaiman’s kingdom and should thus be strictly
reprimanded.
Members devotion to the mission
Solaiman’s (AS) story reveals that the kingdom members are not less devoted to their
mission than their king. The hoopoe flew from Palestine to Yemen to gather
information about a kingdom that worshipped the sun instead of Allah (SWT), he
stood before the king in boldness and said what can be translated as, “I have
encompassed that which you have not encompassed,” (TMQ, 27: 22) he had
studied the situation very well and brought accurate and true information, “and I
have come to thee from Saba to you with a tiding of certitude.” (TMQ, 27: 22)
then he continues his speech about the kingdom he saw: “Surely I found a woman
ruling over them, (Literally: a wife possessing them) and she has been brought
(much) of everything, and she has a magnificent throne. I found her and her
people prostrating to the sun, apart from Allah; and Ash-Shaytan (The evervicious,
i.e., the Devil) has adorned (i.e., made attractive) their deeds to them, so
has barred them from the way, so that they are not guided, (TMQ, 27: 23, 24).
He does not behave as a normal employee; rather he felt that he was responsible for
the company’s mission, its affairs and its goal. He wondered in agony and jealousy,
“So that they do not prostrate (themselves) to Allah, Who brings out what is
hidden in the heavens and the earth. And He knows whatever you conceal and
whatever you make public.” (TMQ, 27: 25).
Then he remembered that he had said about the queen in what can be translated as,
“she has a magnificent throne” so he quickly add what can be translated as, “Allah,
there is no god except He, The Lord of the Magnificent Throne.” (TMQ, 27:
26). If only we had in the nation of Mohammad (SAWS) a thousand hoopoes like
Solaiman’s (AS). A hoopoe, positive in his actions, devoted to his nation and feeling
responsibility towards it.
Accuracy in conveying information
The ayahs continue to display the pleasant dialogue between the hoopoe and Solaiman
(AS) “(Solaiman) said, “We will soon look whether you have (spoken) sincerely
or whether you are among the liars.” (TMQ, 27: 27). This means that the
information brought was analyzed and examined although the hoopoe told Solaiman
(AS) before, “…and I have come from Sabato to you with a tiding of certitude.”
(TMQ, 27: 22) but the successful company must scrutinize and check the information
validity before any decision-making. “Go with this book (i.e., letter) of mine, then
cast it to them; thereafter turn away from them, (and) so look what (answer)
they return.” (TMQ, 27: 28). Thus Solaiman (AS) examined the people of that
kingdom. Muslims should learn from Solaiman’s (AS) kingdom what success,
organization and knowledge really means.