أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ 31
Translations
Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].'"
Transliteration
Allā ta'alō 'alayya wa'tūnī muslimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains Prophet Sulayman's message to the Queen of Sheba, commanding her and her people not to be arrogant or transgressive toward him, and to come to him in submission to Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this represents Sulayman's diplomatic yet authoritative call, demonstrating wisdom in addressing a ruler while maintaining the dignity of prophethood and the supremacy of divine authority. The phrase 'muslimīn' (those who submit) emphasizes submission to Allah's will rather than mere political surrender.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Sulayman's correspondence with the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), which spans Surah An-Naml. The surah is Meccan and recounts the miraculous events during Sulayman's reign, including his communication with the jinn, birds, and this queen. The message was sent before Sulayman's army arrived, serving as a test of her response and an invitation to monotheistic faith.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sunan At-Tirmidhi contains traditions about Prophet Sulayman's character and wisdom in leadership. Additionally, hadiths regarding respectful communication and avoiding arrogance (e.g., in Sahih Muslim regarding humility) thematically complement this verse's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true strength lies in commanding others toward submission to Allah rather than personal domination, and that effective leadership combines firmness with an invitation to faith. It reminds us that arrogance is incompatible with submission to God, whether in rulers or common people.
Related Ayahs
وَكَانَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ
And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].
فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
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."
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ
So when they came to Solomon, he said, "Do you provide me with wealth? But what Allāh has given me is better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who rejoice in your gift.
بَلِ ٱدَّٰرَكَ عِلْمُهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهَا ۖ بَلْ هُم مِّنْهَا عَمُونَ
Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind.