Article appeared Friday, December 27th, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (602) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Does God give special blessings? Can the intelligence He has given to work out His
blessings be a blessing in itself? When we discover a blessing, are we grateful? Also, do
we use the blessings to help others understand the reality of God? Is it important to use
blessings appropriately? History records how prophets were not only grateful for
blessings; they used their blessings in the service of God, i.e., to help others come to
terms with the reality of God and learn how approach Him directly. One such story is that
of Solomon, who God made a king, and gave him many special blessings given the fact
that he not only recognized the blessings of God, he was ever grateful by praising Him in
public {1, 2} and used the blessings to bring others to submit to the Lord of everything in
the current world and the world Hereafter [34.1]. The following Verses from the Qur’an
[27.20 – 27.44] report on the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba {3}. Let’s study
the Verses to work out Solomon’s blessings, how he acknowledged and praised God’s
favors and how he used the blessings to promote His exclusive worship.

27.20 “And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the
Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?”
Solomon was given the ability to communicate and control the birds. He used this
blessing to organize the birds like one would an army.

27.21 “I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty or execute him
unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence).”

27.22 “But the Hoopoe tarried not long and said, “I have encompassed
(territory) that which you have not encompassed and I have come to you
from Sheba with certain news.”

27.23 “Indeed, I found (there) a woman ruling over them and she has been
provided with every requisite, and she has a magnificent throne.”

27.24 “I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of God, and
Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes and has kept them
away from the Path so they are not guided.”
The Hoopoe was guided by God to find a people who were misguided by Satan into
worshipping the sun. Satan made their rituals so pleasing in their eyes that they did not
question their illogical worship.

27.25 “(And) so that they should not prostate to God, who brings to light
what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and
what you reveal.”

27.26 “God! There is no deity but He! Lord of the Great Throne!”

27.27 “(Solomon) said, "Soon shall we see whether you are telling the truth
or lying!”
27.28 “Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and
(wait to) see what answer they return.”
Through the Hoopoe, God had give Solomon new knowledge – a blessing and an
opportunity. Using this knowledge, how should Solomon grab the opportunity?

27.29 “(The Queen) said, "O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been
delivered a letter worthy of respect.”

27.30 “Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it is (as follows), `In the
name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful:”

27.31 “`Be not arrogant against me but come to me in submission to the

true Religion.'”
So, Solomon’s letter contained a description and invitation to the true religion, where
exclusive adoration of the One True God was mandatory. The letter also warned of
consequences, if they did not submit to the one true religion.

27.32 “She said, "O eminent ones, advise me in my affair. No affair have I
decided except in your presence."”

27.33 “They said, "We are men of strength and of great military might, but
the command is yours, so consider what you will command."”

27.34 “She said, "Indeed, kings – when they enter a city, they ruin it and
make the noblest of its people its humbled. And thus do they do.”
The Queen spelt out possible consequences. So, what did she decide to do?

27.35 “But indeed, I will send to them a gift and (wait) to see with what
(answer) return (my) ambassadors.”
The Queen obviously thought that Solomon could be tempted by expensive gifts
assuming that he was after her wealth.

27.36 “So when they came to Solomon, he said, "Will you provide me
abundance in wealth? But that which God has given me is better than that
which He has given you. Rather it is you who rejoice in your gift.”

27.37 “Return to them, and be sure we shall come to them with soldiers
that they will be powerless to encounter, we shall surely expel them from
there in humiliation, and they will feel humbled (indeed).”
Solomon rejected the gift and threatened them with war. At the same time he decided to
demonstrate the power of his blessings to control the jinn [55.15] to bring the Queen into
submission.

27.38 “He said, "O assembly (of jinn), which of you will bring me her throne
before they come to me in submission?”

27.39 “A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you
before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this (task) strong and
trustworthy."”
27.40 “Said one who had knowledge of the Scripture, "I will bring it to you
before your glance returns to you." And when (Solomon) saw it placed
firmly before him, he said, "This is by the favor of my Lord to test me
whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful – truly his
gratitude is (only a benefit) for his own soul. And whoever is ungrateful –
truly my Lord is free of any needs Supreme in Honor!"”
Solomon immediately recognized the miracle as a favor of God and His test.

27.41 “He said, "Disguise her throne for her; we will see whether she is
guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."”

27.42 “So when she arrived she was asked, "Is your throne like this?" She
said, "It seems the same." (Solomon said), "And we were given knowledge
(of the scripture) before this and we have submitted to God (in Islam)."”

27.43 “And that which she was worshipping other than God had prevented
her from true faith. Indeed, she was from a people that had no faith.”

27.44 “She was told, "Enter the palace.” But when she saw it she thought it
was a body of water and she (tucked up her skirts) uncovering her legs. He
said, "This is a palace (whose floor is) made smooth with glass." She said,
"My Lord, indeed I have wronged my soul, I do (now) submit (in Islam) with
Solomon to the Lord of the Worlds."”
The Queen realized that Solomon was different – he was not enticed by wealth and had
powers that she could not explain. All this helped her to submit to the true religion.
Likewise, is it important to use our blessings to work out the reality of God and help
others to also understand?
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.welcometoebenezer.com/solomons-thankfulness-to-god-1-kings-812-21/
{2} https://www.kfuo.org/2018/01/05/tsw-010518-1kings3/
{3} https://www.ancient.eu/Queen_of_Sheba/