سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ
Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 17
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ ﴿17﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And there were gathered before Sulaimân (Solomon) his hosts of jinn and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forward).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَحُشِرَ
waḥushira
And were gathered
لِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ
lisulaymāna
for Sulaiman
جُنُودُهُۥ
junūduhu
his hosts
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْجِنِّ
l-jini
jinn
وَٱلْإِنسِ
wal-insi
and the men
وَٱلطَّيْرِ
wal-ṭayri
and the birds
فَهُمْ
fahum
and they
يُوزَعُونَ
yūzaʿūna
(were) set in rows
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 17) ➊ {وَ حُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمٰنَ جُنُوْدُهٗ …: ’’ يُوْزَعُوْنَ ‘‘} If {’’ وَزَعَ يَزَعُ‘‘} is on the pattern of {’’ وَضَعَ يَضَعُ‘‘}, then its meaning is "to stop," and if it is from {’’ أَوْزَعَ يُوْزِعُ‘‘} (af‘āl), then its meaning is "to divide." (Qāmūs) In this, the unique characteristic and virtue of Sulaiman (peace be upon him) is mentioned, in which he is unparalleled in all human history: his rule was not only over humans, but also over jinn, animals, and birds—even the wind was subservient to him. From this verse, it is understood that all the armies of Sulaiman (peace be upon him)—that is, humans, jinn, and birds—were all gathered together. Obviously, such arrangements were made only for jihad in the way of Allah, so that Allah’s religion would prevail and His word would be exalted throughout the world. The evidence for this is coming ahead: how, upon learning of the shirk of the Queen of Sheba and her people, Sulaiman (peace be upon him) ordered her to come in submission and threatened her with his armies in case of disobedience, saying: «{ فَلَنَاْتِيَنَّهُمْ بِجُنُوْدٍ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُمْ بِهَا }» [ النمل : ۳۷ ] "Now, in any case, we will come upon them with such armies as they have no power to resist."
➋ {فَهُمْ يُوْزَعُوْنَ:} That is, all were divided into separate groups, for example, the group of jinn was separate, the group of humans was separate, and the group of birds was separate. Then, according to military arrangement, they were divided, for example, one leader over every ten men, then a leader over a hundred men, then over a thousand. In short, the entire army was organized with the best division, so that they could be reviewed in a very short time and the military commands could also be implemented.
➋ {فَهُمْ يُوْزَعُوْنَ:} That is, all were divided into separate groups, for example, the group of jinn was separate, the group of humans was separate, and the group of birds was separate. Then, according to military arrangement, they were divided, for example, one leader over every ten men, then a leader over a hundred men, then over a thousand. In short, the entire army was organized with the best division, so that they could be reviewed in a very short time and the military commands could also be implemented.
