379 Page Notes

27 Surah An-Naml (continued)

Page 379 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 379 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 379 of the standard Madinah Mushaf contains Surah An-Naml (27:23–35). This page focuses entirely on the report given by the Hoopoe (Al-Hudhud) to Prophet Sulayman regarding the Kingdom of Sheba (Saba) and its queen, Bilqis.

The verses detail the hoopoe's observation of their magnificent throne, their worship of the sun instead of Allah, Sulayman’s diplomatic letter demanding their submission to monotheism, and the queen's strategic decision to send an expensive gift to test Sulayman’s true motives.

The Sunnah and classical prophetic traditions provide significant context regarding these specific verses, highlighting the nature of Shirk (polytheism), the etiquette of diplomatic correspondence, and the historical reality of the Kingdom of Saba.

1. Hadiths Related to the Kingdom of Saba and Sun Worship (Verses 23–25)

“Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them...” (27:23–24)

Defining "Saba" as a Nation, Not a Person or Place

The Qur'an mentions the people of Saba cross-referencing their location and lineage. The Sunnah provides an explicit genealogical definition of who "Saba" was, clarifying the origins of the kingdom Bilqis ruled.

Hadith: A man asked the Messenger of Allah ($\rho$): "O Messenger of Allah, tell me about Saba—was it a woman, a man, or a land?" He replied: “It was not a woman or a land, but rather he was a man among the Arabs who fathered ten children. Six of them settled in Yemen and four settled in Ash-Sham (the Levant)...”

• Source Citation: Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Book 47, Hadith 3222), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 2898). Classed as Sahih by Al-Albani.

Prostration to the Sun and Forbidden Prayer Times

Verse 24 highlights the hoopoe’s distress at seeing people "prostrating to the sun instead of Allah." To completely dissociate Muslims from the practices of the sun-worshippers of Sheba, the Sunnah strictly prohibits Muslims from praying ritual voluntary prayers exactly when the sun rises or sets.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) said: “Perform the dawn prayer, then stop praying until the sun rises and rises high, for it rises between the two horns of Satan, and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it... [likewise] stop praying when it sets, for it sets between the two horns of Satan, and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it.”

• Source Citation: Sahih Muslim (Hadith 832), Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 1277).

2. Hadiths Related to the Etiquette of Letters: "Bismillah" (Verses 28–30)

“[Sulayman said], 'Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them...' She said, 'O chiefs, indeed there has been delivered to me a noble letter. Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it reads: "In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful (Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim)"'” (27:28–30)

These verses outline the diplomatic sunnah of the prophets. Bilqis labeled the letter "noble" because it opened with the name of God and was concise. The Prophet Muhammad ($\rho$) adopted this exact methodology when writing to foreign rulers.

The Prophet's Letters to Foreign Emperors

When the Prophet ($\rho$) sent letters to non-Muslim world leaders (like Heraclius of Rome or Chosroes of Persia), he followed the exact precedent set by Sulayman on page 379: beginning with Bismillah and maintaining a direct, firm call to Islam.

Hadith: Ibn Abbas narrated the text of the letter the Prophet ($\rho$) sent to Heraclius, the Emperor of Byzantium: “In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. From Muhammad, the slave of Allah and His Messenger, to Heraclius, the ruler of Byzantine: Peace be upon him who follows the right path. Furthermore, I invite you to Islam. Submit to Allah and you will be safe...”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 7), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1773).

Writing the Sender's Name First

Classical commentators note from the Sunnah of correspondence that Sulayman wrote "Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it reads: Bismillah..." showing that stating the sender's identity at the top of a document is an ancient prophetic etiquette. The companions maintained this practice in their personal and official writing based on these narrations.

3. Hadiths Related to Leadership and Wealth (Verses 32–35)

“She said, 'O chiefs, advise me in my affair...' They said, 'We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours...' She said, 'Indeed kings, when they enter a city, ruin it...'” (27:32–34)

The Strategy of Consulting Advisors (Shura)

Bilqis's statement ("Advise me in my affair") demonstrates the principle of consultation. While the Sunnah establishes specific rulings regarding political governance, the act of Shura (mutual consultation) before making critical state or military decisions is heavily reinforced by the Prophet's practice.

Hadith: Abu Hurairah (r.a.) noted the Prophet's dedication to this consultative approach, stating: "I never saw anyone who consulted his companions more than the Messenger of Allah ($\rho$)."

• Source Citation: Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 1714).

Bribery vs. Prophetic Integrity

In verse 35, the queen decides to test Sulayman: "But indeed, I will send to them a gift and see with what [reply] the messengers will return." She assumed he was a worldly king who could be bought off. On the following page, Sulayman rejects it. The Sunnah firmly condemns the use of gifts or wealth to influence legal, spiritual, or political outcomes.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) said: “The curse of Allah is upon the one who offers a bribe and the one who accepts it [in matters of judgment/governance].”

• Source Citation: Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 3580), Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 1337).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vols. 1-9). Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Sijistani, A. D. (2008). Sunan Abi Dawud. Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. (2007). Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Darussalam Publishers.

• Ibn Hanbal, A. (2012). Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal. Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

• Muslim, I. (2007). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.