سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ
Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 36
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ ﴿36﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimân (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allâh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَمَّا
falammā
So when
جَآءَ
jāa
came
سُلَيْمَـٰنَ
sulaymāna
(to) Sulaiman
قَالَ
qāla
he said
أَتُمِدُّونَنِ
atumiddūnani
Will you provide me
بِمَالٍۢ
bimālin
with wealth
فَمَآ
famā
But what
ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ
ātāniya
Allah has given me
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah has given me
خَيْرٌۭ
khayrun
(is) better
مِّمَّآ
mimmā
than what
ءَاتَىٰكُم
ātākum
He has given you
بَلْ
bal
Nay
أَنتُم
antum
you
بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ
bihadiyyatikum
in your gift
تَفْرَحُونَ
tafraḥūna
rejoice
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.
So when the delegation came to Solomon with the gift, he said, "Are you offering me wealth? What Allah has given me is far better than what He has given you. Your gift, with which you take pride, [33] is for you."
[33]
The Delegation Receives the Reply of Sulaiman (علیہ السلام):
When this delegation arrived before Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) with gifts, he refused to accept these gifts and clearly informed them that he had no interest in wealth and riches. Nor could he be deterred from his intention by accepting a bribe of wealth and riches. What would I do with this wealth, for I already possess much more than you. May these gifts be blessed for you. For you, there are only two options: either you come to me as Muslims, in which case your kingdom will remain with you. I have no desire to expand my dominion, rather I wish to eradicate polytheism and make you obedient to Allah. Otherwise, the second option is that we will launch a powerful attack against you, which you will not be able to withstand. You yourselves can understand what your fate could be in that case. Here, there is a gap left in the narrative, left to the understanding of the listener, and that is: when this delegation returned and the queen of Sheba heard the details of the return of the gifts and the conversation with Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام), she realized well that Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) was not a worldly king. She had already heard tales of his grandeur and, along with that, his God-consciousness. The return of the gifts and the impressions of the delegation further confirmed this. Therefore, the queen of Sheba deemed it appropriate that she herself should appear before such a pure-natured king. Accordingly, she sent word to Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) in Jerusalem that she would soon present herself before him.
Sayyiduna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) Requests the Queen’s Throne:
When Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) received news that the queen of Sheba was coming to him, he wished that the very throne of the queen, about which the hoopoe had said it was magnificent, should be brought to him before her arrival. Among those under his command were jinn who could accomplish this task. The purpose of Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) in this was that, along with preaching, he should show the queen such a sign that it would become completely clear to her that he was not merely a worldly ruler, but that Allah had bestowed upon him great blessings and virtues, and she would be convinced that he was not just a king, but also a prophet of Allah. In his court, humans, jinn, and birds all used to be present. He addressed all those present in his court and asked: Who among you can bring me her throne before she arrives here? A powerful and large jinn spoke up: You speak of before the queen’s arrival; I can bring that throne to you before this court is adjourned. I have such power. Moreover, I will not steal any of the precious jewels or diamonds from the throne. I will bring the throne to you with complete honesty.
[33]
The Delegation Receives the Reply of Sulaiman (علیہ السلام):
When this delegation arrived before Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) with gifts, he refused to accept these gifts and clearly informed them that he had no interest in wealth and riches. Nor could he be deterred from his intention by accepting a bribe of wealth and riches. What would I do with this wealth, for I already possess much more than you. May these gifts be blessed for you. For you, there are only two options: either you come to me as Muslims, in which case your kingdom will remain with you. I have no desire to expand my dominion, rather I wish to eradicate polytheism and make you obedient to Allah. Otherwise, the second option is that we will launch a powerful attack against you, which you will not be able to withstand. You yourselves can understand what your fate could be in that case. Here, there is a gap left in the narrative, left to the understanding of the listener, and that is: when this delegation returned and the queen of Sheba heard the details of the return of the gifts and the conversation with Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام), she realized well that Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) was not a worldly king. She had already heard tales of his grandeur and, along with that, his God-consciousness. The return of the gifts and the impressions of the delegation further confirmed this. Therefore, the queen of Sheba deemed it appropriate that she herself should appear before such a pure-natured king. Accordingly, she sent word to Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) in Jerusalem that she would soon present herself before him.
Sayyiduna Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) Requests the Queen’s Throne:
When Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) received news that the queen of Sheba was coming to him, he wished that the very throne of the queen, about which the hoopoe had said it was magnificent, should be brought to him before her arrival. Among those under his command were jinn who could accomplish this task. The purpose of Prophet Sulaiman (علیہ السلام) in this was that, along with preaching, he should show the queen such a sign that it would become completely clear to her that he was not merely a worldly ruler, but that Allah had bestowed upon him great blessings and virtues, and she would be convinced that he was not just a king, but also a prophet of Allah. In his court, humans, jinn, and birds all used to be present. He addressed all those present in his court and asked: Who among you can bring me her throne before she arrives here? A powerful and large jinn spoke up: You speak of before the queen’s arrival; I can bring that throne to you before this court is adjourned. I have such power. Moreover, I will not steal any of the precious jewels or diamonds from the throne. I will bring the throne to you with complete honesty.
