❖ The Correct Tafsir of the Verse about Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام), the Body, and the Trial
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Tafsir ka Bayan, Vol. 1, Page: 480
❀ The Question in Essence
A person mentioned that while studying the Qur’an during his free time, he came across the verse in Surah Sad:
﴿وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا سُلَيۡمَٰنَ وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا عَلَىٰ كُرۡسِيِّهِۦ جَسَدٗا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ﴾ – Sad: 34
Translation: “And We certainly tested Sulaiman and placed upon his throne a body, then he turned in repentance.”
His mind was unsettled, and he sought the correct tafsir of this verse—particularly which Arabic tafsir is the most appropriate. He also requested supplication for his well-being in this world and the Hereafter.
❀ Background and Correct Tafsir
The author of Adwa’ al-Bayan, in Volume 4, during the tafsir of Surah al-Kahf (verses 22–23):
﴿وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَاْيۡءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٞ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا-إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ﴾
mentioned the incident of Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام). He intended to go to his wives but did not say “In shaa Allah”.
After narrating this incident from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the commentator writes:
«فَإِذَا عَلِمْتَ هٰذَا فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْحَدِيْثَ الصَّحِيْحَ بَيَّنَ مَعْنٰی قَوْلِه تَعَالٰی : ﴿وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلٰی کُرْسِيِّه جَسَدًا﴾»
Meaning:
◈ This authentic hadith clarifies the meaning of Allah’s words: ﴿وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ﴾ – Prophet Sulaiman’s trial occurred because he failed to say “In shaa Allah”.
◈ As a result, from all his wives only one child was born, half-human, incomplete.
◈ This was the “body” (جسد) placed upon his throne.
❀ Rejection of Fabricated Narratives
The commentator further adds:
The story narrated by some mufassirun—that a devil took Prophet Sulaiman’s ring, sat on his throne, usurped his kingdom, and later the ring was found inside a fish—is baseless, false, and one of the Isra’iliyyat.
◈ It does not befit the lofty status of Prophethood.
◈ It has no authentic basis and must be rejected.
❀ Authentic Tafasir for Qur’anic Understanding
For authentic understanding, the following Arabic tafasir are highly recommended:
✔ Tafsir al-Tabari
✔ Tafsir Ibn Kathir
✔ Tafsir Fath al-Qadir
✔ Tafsir Fath al-Bayan
✔ Tafsir Jamal al-Din al-Qasimi
✔ Tafsir Ibn al-Qayyim
✔ Tafsir Ibn Taymiyyah
✔ Tafsir Adwa’ al-Bayan
These works are regarded as reliable and beneficial for a deep comprehension of the Qur’an.
❀ Summary
➊ The correct tafsir of Surah Sad (34) is that Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) was tried for not saying “In shaa Allah”.
➋ The “body” refers to the child born incomplete (half-human), placed on his throne.
➌ The tale of the devil stealing the ring and seizing his kingdom is false, fabricated, and from Isra’iliyyat.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
