۞ قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ 27
Translations
[Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars.
Transliteration
Qala sananthuru asadaqta am kunta mina al-kadhibeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Sulayman responds to the hoopoe bird's report about the throne of the Queen of Sheba by stating he will verify whether the bird spoke the truth or is among the liars. This demonstrates the prophetic principle of verification and not accepting reports without investigation, even from seemingly reliable sources. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as evidence of Sulayman's wisdom and adherence to due diligence before taking action.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative about Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) and his miraculous command over the jinn, animals, and wind. The context involves the hoopoe bird's absence from his army and its subsequent report about the Queen of Sheba and her magnificent throne. This passage illustrates Sulayman's just leadership and methodical approach to governance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this ayah, it relates thematically to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best of you are those who have the best manners and character' - reflecting the virtue of wisdom and careful deliberation in leadership exemplified by Sulayman.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us the importance of verifying information before acting upon it and not hastily believing claims, a principle essential in both personal relationships and communal affairs. It exemplifies that true leadership requires discernment and careful consideration rather than impulsive decision-making.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُن فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
And grieve not over them or be in distress from what they conspire.
فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَى ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلْمُبِينِ
So rely upon Allāh; indeed, you are upon the clear truth.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of them are not grateful."
أَمَّن جَعَلَ ٱلْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَـٰلَهَآ أَنْهَـٰرًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allāh? [No], but most of them do not know.