۞ 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
قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْغَيْبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ
Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allāh, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا هَـٰذَا نَحْنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبْلُ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allāh, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,
إِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ
Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs retreating.