قَالَتْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَفْتُونِى فِىٓ أَمْرِى مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشْهَدُونِ 32
Translations
She said, "O eminent ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness [for] me."
Transliteration
Qalat ya ayyuha almalao aftuni fi amri ma kuntu qati'atan amran hatta tashhadu
Tafsir (Explanation)
Queen Bilqis addresses her council, seeking their counsel before making a decisive decision regarding the letter from Prophet Solomon. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this demonstrates her wisdom and justice as a ruler—she refuses to act unilaterally in matters of state importance without consulting her ministers and military leaders. Her statement reflects an Islamic principle of consultation (shura) in governance, as she wanted witnesses to her decision-making process.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Solomon's letter to the Queen of Sheba, where he invites her to submit to Allah. The context illustrates how a pagan ruler recognized the importance of consultation and deliberation in state affairs, serving as an implicit lesson to Muslim rulers about the necessity of shura in Islamic governance.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the principle of shura mentioned in Surah Ash-Shura (42:38): 'And those who respond to their Lord and establish prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves.' While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, Prophet Muhammad emphasized consultation in governance and decision-making in various traditions recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sunan Abu Dawud.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even non-Muslim rulers can demonstrate wisdom through seeking counsel and avoiding hasty decisions; Muslim leaders should embrace consultation and involve their people in important matters rather than acting unilaterally, as this was valued even before Islam was established.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ
A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."
وَأَنْ أَتْلُوَا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ
And to recite the Qur’ān." And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one] of the warners."
أَمَّن يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allāh? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."
أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ
Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].'"