The Story of Prophet Sulaiman and the Hoopoe

The story of the hoopoe's absence when Prophet Sulaiman reviewed his troops, until the bird returned bringing news of a queen and her people in the land of Sheba who worshipped the sun.

• While reviewing his troops consisting of various creatures, Prophet Sulaiman did not find the hoopoe and threatened to punish it if it did not come with a clear reason.
• There is also a version of the story that mentions Sulaiman called the hoopoe to find a water source in the dry land of Yemen, but the bird did not come.
• The hoopoe finally appeared and reported that it had found a woman who ruled a great kingdom with a magnificent throne in the land of Sheba.
• The hoopoe announced that the woman and her people worship the sun, not Allah, because Satan had made their deeds appear beautiful in their eyes.
• Upon hearing the report, Sulaiman stated that he would first investigate the truth of the news before taking action, which then continued to his story with Queen Balqis.

The Story of Prophet Sulaiman and the Hoopoe

The Story of Prophet Sulaiman and the Hoopoe

One day Prophet Sulaiman gathered his troops from various kinds of creatures. However, when a check was made, the hoopoe was not among the group. This is as mentioned in the Qur'an:

"And he reviewed the birds and said: 'Why do I not see the hoopoe? Is it among those who are absent?'" (Qur'an, An-Naml: 20)

Because of its absence, Prophet Sulaiman threatened to punish the hoopoe as written in the following verse.

"I will surely punish it with a severe punishment, or I will surely slaughter it, unless it brings me a clear excuse." (Qur'an, An-Naml: 21)

There is also a version of the story that says after Prophet Sulaiman built Baitul Maqdis (the Sacred House) and performed the Hajj pilgrimage, he then traveled to Yemen. Upon arriving in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, he called the hoopoe to search for a water source in that dry and barren place.

It turned out the hoopoe did not come. Prophet Sulaiman became angry and threatened to punish the hoopoe if its absence was due to unclear reasons.

However, not long after, the hoopoe appeared. This story is still recorded in the following verse.

"Then not long after (came the hoopoe), it said: 'I have known something that you do not know; and I bring you from Sheba certain news of importance.'" (Qur'an, An-Naml: 22)

The explanation and dialogue between Prophet Sulaiman and the hoopoe (for easier understanding) we will study together through the following verses of Surah An-Naml.

The hoopoe claimed to have found a woman who possessed a throne and a great kingdom.

"I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given everything, and she has a great throne." (Qur'an, An-Naml: 23)

The Story of Prophet Sulaiman and the Hoopoe

However, the woman and her people do not worship Allah, but rather worship the sun.

"I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah; and Satan has made their deeds appear beautiful to them and has prevented them from the way (of Allah), so they cannot find guidance," (Qur'an, An-Naml: 24)

"(They do not worship Allah) Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and Who knows what you hide and what you reveal." (Qur'an, An-Naml: 25)

"Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Lord of the Great Throne (Arsh)." (Qur'an, An-Naml: 26)

After hearing the hoopoe's explanation, Prophet Sulaiman then replied:

"Said Sulaiman: 'We will see. Are you truthful or are you a liar?'" (Qur'an, An-Naml: 27)

The following verses of Surah An-Naml will explain the story of Prophet Sulaiman and Queen Balqis.

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