Wisdom of Prophet Sulaiman (AS): Lessons from Quran and Hadith

Prophet Sulaiman (AS), known as Solomon in Biblical tradition, is one of the most remarkable figures in Islamic history. Renowned for his unparalleled wisdom, justice, and authority, he was blessed by Allah with extraordinary capabilities. As a prophet and a king, he was gifted with the ability to communicate with animals, control the wind, and command the jinn. These divine blessings were not merely privileges but tests of his faith, gratitude, and submission to Allah.

The Quran highlights the unique status of Sulaiman (AS) in several places, emphasizing his wisdom and humility. Allah says:

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
“And Solomon inherited David. He said, ‘O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty.'”
(Surah An-Naml 27:16)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also praised Sulaiman (AS), saying:

قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ: لَأَطُوفَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَىٰ سَبْعِينَ ٱمْرَأَةً، كُلُّهُنَّ تَلِدُ غُلَامًا يُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
“Sulaiman the son of Dawood said, ‘Tonight I will visit seventy wives, each of whom will give birth to a child who will fight in the cause of Allah.’”
(Sahih Bukhari: 2819)

This introduction sets the stage to explore the wisdom of Prophet Sulaiman (AS) as detailed in the Quran and Hadith.

Sulaiman (AS): A Unique Prophet and King

Prophet Sulaiman (AS) was not only a prophet but also a king, which made him unique among many prophets. He inherited the kingdom and the prophethood from his father, Prophet Dawood (AS). Allah blessed him with unparalleled wisdom, the ability to communicate with animals, and control over the wind and jinn. These attributes were granted to him as a test of his faith and gratitude to Allah.

Quranic Reference:

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
“And Solomon inherited David. He said, ‘O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty.'”
(Surah An-Naml 27:16)

This verse highlights the divine gifts bestowed upon Sulaiman (AS), underscoring his gratitude and acknowledgment of Allah’s favor.

Wisdom in Judgments

One of the most notable displays of Prophet Sulaiman’s (AS) wisdom was in his judicial rulings. His judgments exemplify profound insight and fairness.

The Case of the Two Women

The famous incident of two women disputing over a child is a hallmark of Sulaiman’s (AS) wisdom. Both women claimed to be the mother of the same child. Prophet Dawood (AS), Sulaiman’s father, initially passed a ruling. However, Prophet Sulaiman (AS) proposed a test to reveal the truth.

He suggested dividing the child in two, knowing the true mother would rather surrender her claim than see the child harmed. The wisdom in this judgment exposed the real mother.

Hadith Reference:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه: قال رسول الله ﷺ:
كَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتَانِ مَعَ ٱبْنَيْهِمَا، فَجَاءَ ٱلذِّئْبُ فَذَهَبَ بِٱبْنِ إِحْدَاهُمَا، فَقَالَتْ هَذِهِ لِصَاحِبَتِهَا: إِنَّمَا ذَهَبَ بِٱبْنِكِ. فَقَالَتِ ٱلْأُخْرَى: بَلْ ذَهَبَ بِٱبْنِكِ. فَتَحَاكَمَتَا إِلَىٰ دَاوُودَ فَقَضَىٰ بِهِ لِلْكُبْرَىٰ، فَمَرَّتَا عَلَىٰ سُلَيْمَانَ فَأَخْبَرَتَاهُ، فَقَالَ ٱئْتُونِي بِٱلسِّكِّينِ أَشُقُّهُ بَيْنَكُمَا، فَقَالَتِ ٱلصُّغْرَىٰ: لَا تَفْعَلْ، رَحِمَكَ ٱللَّهُ، هُوَ ٱبْنُهَا. فَقَضَىٰ بِهِ لِلصُّغْرَىٰ.

“Two women were with their sons, and a wolf came and took one of the sons. One said to the other, ‘The wolf has taken your son.’ The other said, ‘No, it was your son.’ They presented their case to David, who ruled in favor of the elder woman. They passed by Solomon and told him the story. He said, ‘Bring me a knife, so I can divide the child between you.’ The younger woman said, ‘Do not do that, may Allah have mercy on you. He is her son.’ Thus, Solomon ruled in favor of the younger woman.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 3427)

This story illustrates how Sulaiman (AS) used wisdom and psychological insight to reach a just verdict, serving as a timeless example for judges and leaders.

Communication with Animals

Prophet Sulaiman (AS) was gifted with the ability to understand and communicate with animals, a unique sign of Allah’s power and Sulaiman’s gratitude. His interaction with the ant and the hoopoe bird are especially noteworthy.

The Ant’s Warning

In Surah An-Naml, the Quran narrates the story of Sulaiman (AS) and the ant. As his army marched, an ant warned its colony to take shelter to avoid being crushed. Prophet Sulaiman (AS) heard this and smiled, appreciating Allah’s blessings upon him.

Quranic Reference:

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌۭ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَـٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًۭا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

“Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, ‘O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.’ So he smiled, laughing at its statement, and said, ‘My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.'”
(Surah An-Naml 27:18-19)

The humility of Sulaiman (AS) in acknowledging Allah’s blessings is a profound lesson in gratitude and servitude.

Leadership and Diplomacy

Sulaiman’s (AS) leadership was marked by intelligence and diplomacy. The story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) demonstrates his ability to combine wisdom and strategy to spread the message of Allah.

When Sulaiman (AS) received news of Bilqis’s powerful kingdom from the hoopoe bird, he sent her a letter inviting her to worship Allah. The Queen, known for her intelligence, recognized his authority and ultimately accepted Islam.

Quranic Reference:

قَالَتْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِى فِىٓ أَمْرِى مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشْهَدُونِ
قَالَتْ إِنَّ ٱلْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا۟ قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوٓا۟ أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَآ أَذِلَّةًۭ ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ

“She said, ‘O eminent ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness [for] me.’ She said, ‘Indeed kings — when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do.'”
(Surah An-Naml 27:32-34)

Through wisdom and diplomacy, Sulaiman (AS) guided Bilqis to embrace Islam, showcasing the importance of patience and strategy in leadership.

Lessons from the Life of Prophet Sulaiman (AS)

• Gratitude to Allah: Despite being granted immense power, Sulaiman (AS) remained humble and grateful. Gratitude strengthens faith and earns Allah’s favor.
• Justice in Leadership: His fairness and insight in judgments are models for leaders and judges, emphasizing the need for wisdom and empathy.
• Effective Communication: His ability to communicate with all of Allah’s creations teaches us the value of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives.
• Strategic Leadership: Sulaiman’s (AS) approach to diplomacy and spreading the message of Allah exemplifies strategic thinking and patience.

Conclusion

The Wisdom of Prophet Sulaiman AS is renowned in Islamic tradition for his unparalleled understanding, justice, and ability to govern effectively.

The life of Prophet Sulaiman (AS) is a profound example of wisdom, justice, and humility. His reign as both a prophet and a king was marked by divine blessings, but it was also a test of his faith and gratitude toward Allah. From his fair judgments, such as the famous case of the two women and the child, to his ability to communicate with animals and control the elements, Sulaiman (AS) exemplified the best qualities of leadership and submission to Allah’s will. His story encourages us to seek knowledge, act justly, and always remain humble in the face of Allah’s immense blessings.

The Quran further illustrates his wisdom:

وَفَهَّمْنَٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ وَفَصْلَ ٱلْخِطَابِ
“And We gave him understanding of the matter and judgment.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:79)

In a Hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ praised the wisdom of his predecessor:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
“Glory is to Allah and to Him is the praise; Glory is to Allah, the Almighty.”
(Sahih Muslim: 7084)

Through these divine teachings, we are reminded to reflect upon Sulaiman (AS) as a model of grace, intellect, and leadership. By emulating his virtues, we can navigate our own lives with wisdom, justice, and a deep sense of gratitude to Allah.