إِنِّى وَجَدتُّ ٱمْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ 23
Translations
Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.
Transliteration
Innee wajadtu imra'atan tamlikushum wa ootiyat min kulli shay'in wa laha 'arshun 'azeem
Tafsir (Explanation)
The hoopoe messenger reports to Prophet Solomon that he has discovered the Queen of Sheba, who possesses a kingdom and has been given great wealth and resources, including a magnificent throne. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this verse establishes the Queen's authority and material grandeur, setting the stage for Solomon's diplomatic approach to her and her people. The mention of her extensive possessions and great throne emphasizes her worldly power, which would soon be superseded by Solomon's divine knowledge and supernatural abilities.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah An-Naml (The Ant), which recounts Solomon's inspection of the jinn, humans, and birds, and his discovery of the Queen of Sheba's kingdom. The context is thematic rather than tied to a specific historical revelation occasion; it forms part of the Quranic account of Solomon's prophetic mission and his interactions with various peoples and creatures.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific verse, the broader account of Solomon's story is referenced in various hadith collections. The narrative emphasizes Solomon's unique position as a prophet granted unprecedented authority over natural forces, as mentioned in multiple Quranic contexts and reflected in hadith discussions of prophetic miracles.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that earthly power, wealth, and magnificence, however impressive to human perception, remain secondary to divine wisdom and spiritual knowledge; the subsequent revelation of Solomon's superiority illustrates that true greatness lies in submission to Allah and the application of divine guidance rather than material accumulation.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ زَيَّنَّا لَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَهُمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
Indeed, for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made pleasing to them their deeds, so they wander blindly.
وَأَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ فِى جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَآءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوٓءٍ ۖ فِى تِسْعِ ءَايَـٰتٍ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَـٰسِقِينَ
And put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs [you will take] to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."
ٱذْهَب بِّكِتَـٰبِى هَـٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return."
إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْبَلْدَةِ ٱلَّذِى حَرَّمَهَا وَلَهُۥ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
[Say, O Muḥammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [i.e., those who submit to Allāh].