Friday, December 7, 2018

THE STORY OF THE PROPHET SOLOMON AND QUEEN BALQIS (2/2) - Queen's Throne, Glass Pool, and Queen Balqis' Faith

The group from Saba kingdom who brought various luxury and expensive items arrived in Palestine. Prophet Solomon received their arrival well. The messengers of the Saba kingdom 'felt amazed to see the greatness of the kingdom of Solomon that exceeded the kingdom of Saba', while the Prophet Solomon remained humble and was kind to them. They were also surprised when they saw the palace of Prophet Solomon that was very luxurious, especially the guards and troops of Prophet Solomon not only consisted of humans, but also birds and other creatures.

The messengers of the kingdom of Saba entered the palace of Prophet Solomon while carrying presents. Actually the various prizes they bring look invaluable with the glory of the Prophet Solomon who is high. What happened was not according to their expectations. Solomon refused various gifts because he understood that they were sending gifts not to establish good relations between the two kingdoms or as a sign of their goodness, but as a bribe so that the Prophet Solomon did not tell them to leave worship to the sun.

Firmly and correctly, Prophet Solomon said that they did not deserve to give wealth to him. It is clear that Allah SWT gave wealth to Prophet Solomon better than what Allah SWT gave to the kingdom of Saba '. But the kingdom of Saba felt arrogant and unwilling to give thanks. The envoys are proud of the items they carry before realizing that there is another richer kingdom.

Prophet Solomon told them to return soon. He has threatened them with war. He did not want valuable objects from the kingdom of Saba ', all he wanted was for them to believe in Allah the Almighty. Aside from being a king, he was a prophet who preached to various people to carry out the commands of Allah SWT and stay away from His prohibitions.

Surah An-Naml  verses 36-37:

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيۡمَٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٖ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُمۚ بَلۡ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمۡ تَفۡرَحُونَ  ٣٦ ٱرۡجِعۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فَلَنَأۡتِيَنَّهُم بِجُنُودٖ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا وَلَنُخۡرِجَنَّهُم مِّنۡهَآ أَذِلَّةٗ وَهُمۡ صَٰغِرُونَ  ٣٧

36.  So when they came to Solomon, he said, "Do you provide me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who rejoice in your gift.
37.  Return to them, for we will surely come to them with soldiers that they will be powerless to encounter, and we will surely expel them therefrom in humiliation, and they will be debased."

The envoys immediately returned to the Saba kingdom while carrying the rejected gifts. Arriving at the kingdom of Saba, the envoys reported to Queen Balqis about the attitude of Prophet Solomon and his kingdom. Queen Balqis thinks that if she continues to insist, war will definitely occur. While the military power of Solomon's kingdom was bigger and stronger. She thought that the possibility of Solomon was a Prophet. Then she must go see him. That way, good relations can be established and war can be avoided. Queen Balqis had thought about the matter that her decision was the best way. She has been brave and wise. So Queen Balqis and her soldiers began to leave for Palestine.

While the Prophet Solomon was meeting with the royal officials. The aim is to convince Queen Balqis to have faith in Allah SWT and leave worship to the sun. The way to do this is to make the Queen realize that her principle was wrong. Prophet Solomon had the idea of bringing the throne of Queen Balqis to his palace before the Queen arrived.

Surah An-Naml verse 38:

قَالَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَؤُاْ أَيُّكُمۡ يَأۡتِينِي بِعَرۡشِهَا قَبۡلَ أَن يَأۡتُونِي مُسۡلِمِينَ  ٣٨

38.  [Solomon] said, "O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"

Prophet Solomon ordered this to all present. One of the jinn, namely 'Ifrit, said that he was able to carry the throne before Prophet Solomon stood from his throne. Then there was a believer person, according to a history named Asif bin Barkhiya, said that he was able to carry the throne in a blink of an eye and Prophet Solomon would see his throne. People know that Asif is a person who believes and loyal to Allah SWT. Suddenly the throne of Queen Balqis arrived at the palace of Prophet Solomon. All are amazed at the miracle.

Surah An-Naml verses 39-40:

قَالَ عِفۡرِيتٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَۖ وَإِنِّي عَلَيۡهِ لَقَوِيٌّ أَمِينٞ  ٣٩ قَالَ ٱلَّذِي عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَرۡتَدَّ إِلَيۡكَ طَرۡفُكَۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّي لِيَبۡلُوَنِيٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّي غَنِيّٞ كَرِيمٞ  ٤٠
39.  A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."
40.  Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."

The Queen Balqis throne is very beautiful, decorated with various gold, silver, and shiny stones. Prophet Solomon ordered his employees to make some changes to the throne to test Queen Balqis. He wanted to know how Queen Balqis behaved when she saw the object.

Surah An-Naml verse 41:

قَالَ نَكِّرُواْ لَهَا عَرۡشَهَا نَنظُرۡ أَتَهۡتَدِيٓ أَمۡ تَكُونُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَهۡتَدُونَ  ٤١

41.  He said, "Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she will be guided [to truth] or will be of those who is not guided."

Queen Balqis has almost arrived in Palestine. The Queen Balqis Throne has been changed in such a way and the entire palace has been decorated to make it more beautiful. The queen's throne was placed at the meeting place. Queen Balqis and her soldiers arrived in Palestine and entered into the environment of Solomon's palace. Prophet Solomon and his employees welcomed them well. Prophet Solomon asked Queen Balqis that the throne designated was similar to the Queen's throne. Queen Balqis watched him thoughtfully. The queen replied that the throne was indeed similar to her throne.

Surah An-Naml verses 42-43:

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡ قِيلَ أَهَٰكَذَا عَرۡشُكِۖ قَالَتۡ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسۡلِمِينَ  ٤٢ وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعۡبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّهَا كَانَتۡ مِن قَوۡمٖ كَٰفِرِينَ  ٤٣

42.  So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allah].
43.  And that which she was worshipping other than Allah had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people."

Queen Balqis has understood that Solomon is a prophet who is polite, humble and faithful. In her heart, arises faith in Allah SWT. He had realized that the sun was not worthy of worship, because the sun had not been seen at night, and God must have always been there and created everything. Then Queen Balqis and his soldiers declared faith in Allah SWT. They understand that Satan prevents them from believing in Allah SWT.

Then Queen Balqis was invited by Prophet Solomon and his bodyguards to enter the palace room. The room was very spacious. At that time Queen Balqis saw the palace floor which was thought to be a large water pool, so she revealed her robe to the top of her calves with the intention that the robe was not wet. Prophet Solomon explained that the floor was actually made of glass. Reflection of the light is like a pond full of water. Queen Balqis's belief in Allah SWT is increasing and she has learned the truth. Queen Balqis was aware that she had done wrong with herself. He stated surrender with Prophet Solomon to Allah SWT, Lord of all universe.

Surah An-Naml verse 44:

قِيلَ لَهَا ٱدۡخُلِي ٱلصَّرۡحَۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَتۡهُ حَسِبَتۡهُ لُجَّةٗ وَكَشَفَتۡ عَن سَاقَيۡهَاۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ صَرۡحٞ مُّمَرَّدٞ مِّن قَوَارِيرَۗ قَالَتۡ رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمۡتُ نَفۡسِي وَأَسۡلَمۡتُ مَعَ سُلَيۡمَٰنَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ  ٤٤

44.  She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds."

Finally Prophet Solomon had succeeded in realizing Queen Balqis and the inhabitants of Saba 'to have faith in Allah SWT, so that they had been on the right path.


Reference:

·    As Sayyid, Kamal and Anis, Selma (Translator). 2005. Kisah-kisah Terbaik Alquran. Jakarta: Pustaka Zahra.

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