Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَqālaHe said
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَاyāayyuhāO
ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟l-mala-uchiefs
أَيُّكُمْayyukumWhich of you
يَأْتِينِىyatīnīwill bring me
بِعَرْشِهَاbiʿarshihāher throne
قَبْلَqablabefore
أَنanthat
يَأْتُونِىyatūnīthey come to me
مُسْلِمِينَmus'limīna(in) submission
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 38) {قَالَيٰۤاَيُّهَاالْمَلَؤُااَيُّكُمْيَاْتِيْنِيْبِعَرْشِهَا …:} From the context of the verses, it is understood that when the envoy reached the Queen of Sheba and described to her what he had witnessed about Solomon (peace be upon him) and conveyed his message, she realized that she could not compete with him. Therefore, she decided that she herself would go to him and have a discussion with him. Thus, she set out with her army and chiefs, and while she was still on the way and about to arrive, Solomon (peace be upon him) addressed his chiefs and said: "Which one of you will bring her throne to me before they come to me in submission?" The purpose of Solomon (peace be upon him) in this was that when she arrived and found her throne present, she would realize what extraordinary powers Allah grants to His prophets, so that she would be convinced that he was truly a prophet of Allah, and also to test her intellect—whether, after some alteration, she would recognize her throne or not. Some commentators have stated that the reason Solomon (peace be upon him) summoned the Queen's throne was that he wanted to seize it before her arrival, because once she arrived and accepted Islam, it would not be permissible to take possession of her property. But this is completely incorrect, because Solomon (peace be upon him) already possessed things far better and greater than the Queen, and to be concerned with seizing someone's property in anticipation of their accepting Islam, instead of helping them, is not befitting even for the caliphs of Islam, let alone a prophet. Moreover, for previous communities, war booty was not lawful.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
38-1. From this reply of Hazrat Sulaiman (عليه السلام), the queen realized that they would not be able to compete with Sulaiman (عليه السلام), so she began preparations to come in obedience and submission. Sulaiman (عليه السلام) also received news of their arrival, so he planned to show them even more of his miraculous grandeur and arranged to have her royal throne brought to him before her arrival.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
