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We start from where we left you last week, and here are ayahs 29 to 31 of Surah Naml:

قالتْ یا أیّها الْملأ إنّی ألْقی إلیّ کتابٌ کریمٌ

إنّه من سلیْمان وإنّه بسْم اللّـه الرّحْمـٰن الرّحیم

ألّا تعْلوا علیّ وأْتونی مسْلمین

“She (Queen Bilqis of Sheba) said, ‘O [members of the] elite! Indeed a noble letter has been delivered to me.”

“It is from Solomon, and it begins in the name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful.”

“[It states,] “Do not defy me, and come to me in submission.”

Last Friday we said that Prophet Solomon wrote a letter to Bilqis, the Queen of the land of Sheba in Yemen, and assigned the bird Hoopoe to deliver it by dropping it in her court, and then watch for the reaction, in order to report it back. Hoopoe did as told. These ayahs mean to say that Queen Bilqis, who was an intelligent lady, realized that the magnificent bird Hoopoe was certainly a messenger from a great person, and it was none other than Solomon the Prophet and King of Palestine. She summoned her advisors and personally read to them the contents of the letter, which began with the word “Allah”, the Most Exalted Name of Almighty God. It contained two important things; one was submission to God and truth, and the other not to oppose what Solomon as the Prophet of God was saying.

From these ayahs we learn that:

1. In daily life, the believers start all their chores and works, whether big or small, including the eating of meals with the phrase Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim, which means “In the Name of Allah the All Merciful and All-Beneficent. Even, while writing letters to unbelievers we should start with the phrase “In the Name of God”.
2. Arrogance and a false sense of superiority, deprives a person and nation from accepting realties and acknowledging the truth.

Now we listen to ayahs 32 and 33 of Surah Naml:

قالتْ یا أیّها الْملأ أفْتونی فی أمْری ما کنت قاطعةً أمْرًا حتّىٰ تشْهدون

قالوا نحْن أولو قوّةٍ وأولو بأْسٍ شدیدٍ والْأمْر إلیْک فانظری ماذا تأْمرین

“She (Bilqis) said, ‘O [members of the] elite! Give me your opinion concerning my matter. I do not decide any matter until you are present.”

“They said, ‘We are powerful and possess a great might. But it is up to you to command. So see what you will command.”

After reading the letter of Prophet Solomon and reflecting over its message, Queen Bilqis of Sheba who was a far-sighted lady, asked the civil and military officials of her state, about their opinion. This consultation is indicative of the fact that she did not resort to any impetuous and rash response, but wanted to be sure that the courtiers and the people were with her, regarding whatever measure she would take in the best interest of the state, vis-à-vis Solomon’s demand. Her advisors and army commanders briefed her on the might of her kingdom and their own readiness, since some of them misinterpreted the Prophet’s letter as a threat and tacit declaration of war on Sheba. They, however, said the final decision is with the queen who is known for her sagacity, and that they would obey whatever she commands.

From these ayahs we learn that:

1. Economic wellbeing and military readiness are necessary for administrating a country, provided that this does not create haughtiness and vain pride that might make policymakers blind to the facts, realities, and acceptance of truth.
2. Consultations in any work, especially state matter and government affairs, is vital for the sake of ensuring collective security and progress, but the final decision should be taken by the wise person who is at the apex of the administrative pyramid, in order to avoid confusion and disorder.

Now we listen to ayahs 34 and 35 of Surah Naml:

قالتْ إنّ الْملوک إذا دخلوا قرْیةً أفْسدوها وجعلوا أعزّة أهْلها أذلّةً ۖ وکذٰلک یفْعلون

وإنّی مرْسلةٌ إلیْهم بهدیّةٍ فناظرةٌ بم یرْجع الْمرْسلون

“She (Queen Bilqis) said, ‘Indeed when kings enter a town, they devastate it, and reduce the mightiest of its people to the most abased. That is how they act.”

“I will send them a gift, and I shall see what the envoys bring back.”

After listening to the opinions of her officials, Bilqis the wise queen of Sheba expressed her decision, saying that war will not bring anything except devastation and destruction – even if the country is successfully defended – because when rulers and armies enter a town, the result is disastrous for the people, who suffer death, indignity, and imprisonment. So it is better for us to gain more information of the opposite side and the actual intention for sending such a letter, instead of hastily throwing the gauntlet for an unnecessary war, Therefore, Bilqis decided to send a precious gift for Solomon to see his reaction to her peaceful and friendly response – whether he was really hostile. Whatever his intentions, her envoys will bring back the answer, and then only she could make the decision for either war or diplomacy. Bilqis, who was certainly impressed by the opening phrase of the letter of Solomon that started “In the Most High Name of the One and Only God”, also wanted to examine through her gift whether Solomon was really a Prophet, or was just an ordinary king who seeks to dominate others and occupy countries. She also knew that Prophets are not distracted by wealth and worldly gifts, since their sole intention is satisfaction of God Almighty through guidance of people and nations.

From these ayahs we learn that:

1. Spread of corruption, war and bloodshed are the methods of devilish powers to dominate others, and certainly not the ways of Prophets, Imams, Saints, and God-fearing leaders.
2. We should be careful that sometimes gifts from others might be a divine test and tribulation, or a sort of bribe to make us oblivious of truth and support for the rights of others.