Hoopoe’s Mission: From Sky to Kingdom#surah #alnaml#hudhud #solomonkingdom
Introduction:
Surah An-Naml (The Ant) is the 27th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. Verses 20 to 26 narrate a profound conversation between Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) and a bird named Hudhud (Hoopoe). This passage reflects the unique wisdom, justice, and leadership of Sulaiman (A.S), and the mission to spread Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) to the people of Sheba, who worshipped the sun.
📜 Historical Background:
Prophet Sulaiman (A.S) was gifted by Allah with the ability to communicate with animals and jinn, and he had a vast kingdom. The Hoopoe bird (Hudhud), while missing from the assembly, returns with important intelligence about the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) and her people who were worshipping the sun. This incident sets the stage for an invitation to Islam and displays diplomacy, divine wisdom, and prophetic leadership.
📚 Summary
Prophet Sulaiman (A.S) notices Hudhud missing.
He vows punishment unless Hudhud gives a valid reason.
Hudhud returns with news about a queen ruling in Sheba.
She has everything — including a magnificent throne.
But her people worship the sun instead of Allah.
Shaytan has misled them.
They refuse to bow to Allah, the Lord who knows all secrets.
📖 Verse-by-Verse English Translation (Sahih International):
27:20
And he inspected the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe – or is he among the absent?"
27:21
"I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me a clear reason."
27:22
But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news."
27:23
"Indeed, I found a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne."
27:24
"I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided."
27:25
"[So they do] not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare."
27:26
"Allah – there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."
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