Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha حفظه الله
What were the armies of Sulaymān (عليه السلام)? Were the jinn included among them?
Allah Almighty says:
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾
“And gathered for Sulaymān were his armies of the jinn, mankind, and birds, and they were [set] in rows.”
[Surah al-Naml: 17]
This verse affirms that Sulaymān عليه السلام had armies composed of:
① Jinn
② Humans
③ Birds
They were assembled and organized under his command. Among them, the human army was the closest to him in rank and proximity, followed by the jinn, and then the birds, who had their own distinct status.
The verse: فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ means:
They were kept in proper order, so that they would not overtake or lag behind each other while marching—similar to how modern kings maintain the formation of their troops with discipline and structure.
❖ Question:
What were the armies of Sulaymān (عليه السلام)? Were the jinn included among them?
❖ Answer:
Allah Almighty says:
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾
“And gathered for Sulaymān were his armies of the jinn, mankind, and birds, and they were [set] in rows.”
[Surah al-Naml: 17]
This verse affirms that Sulaymān عليه السلام had armies composed of:
① Jinn
② Humans
③ Birds
They were assembled and organized under his command. Among them, the human army was the closest to him in rank and proximity, followed by the jinn, and then the birds, who had their own distinct status.
❖ Additional Explanation:
Sulaymān عليه السلام would ride at the head of this magnificent and vast army of humans. The jinn followed behind them, while the birds had a unique role and position—during the heat, they would spread their wings to provide shade over him.The verse: فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ means:
They were kept in proper order, so that they would not overtake or lag behind each other while marching—similar to how modern kings maintain the formation of their troops with discipline and structure.
