فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 19
Translations
So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."
Transliteration
Fatabbassama dahikan min qawliha wa qala rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka allatī an'amta 'alayya wa 'alā wālidayya wa an a'mala sālihan tardāhu wa adkhilnī birahmatika fī 'ibādika as-sālihīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Sulaiman's (Solomon's) response upon hearing the ant's warning to her people. He smiled with joy and delight at the ant's speech, then turned to Allah in gratitude and supplication. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, Sulaiman's smile reflected his recognition of Allah's wisdom in granting understanding to all creatures, while his immediate turn to dua exemplifies the behavior of the righteous—responding to blessings with gratitude and to circumstances with trust in Allah. His prayer encompasses three crucial elements: gratitude for divine blessings extended to him and his parents, performing righteous deeds pleasing to Allah, and attaining the company of the righteous servants of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the context of Surah An-Naml's broader narrative about Sulaiman's kingdom and his miraculous abilities. The immediate context involves the story of Sulaiman's army of jinn, humans, and birds, and his journey through the valley of ants. This passage illustrates one of Sulaiman's defining characteristics—his humility and gratitude despite his extraordinary power and dominion, emphasizing that true nobility lies in recognizing Allah's favors.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is not grateful for the small blessings will not be grateful for the great ones' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi) relates thematically to Sulaiman's inclusion of his parents in his gratitude and supplication.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true greatness is measured not by wealth or power, but by one's gratitude to Allah and moral character. Even in moments of joy or achievement, we should immediately turn to Allah in recognition of His blessings and seek His guidance to use our abilities in ways that please Him, while maintaining compassion toward our parents and striving to join the company of the righteous.