قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أُو۟لُوا۟ قُوَّةٍ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ وَٱلْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَٱنظُرِى مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ 33
Translations
They said, "We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see what you will command."
Transliteration
Qalū nāḥnu ulū quwwatin wa-ulū ba'sin shadīdin wa-al-amru ilayka fānẓurī mādhā ta'murīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The jinn soldiers of Sulayman respond to his question about bringing the throne of the Queen of Sheba before her people arrive, declaring they possess tremendous strength and military prowess, and defer the final decision to him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this demonstrates the jinn's recognition of Sulayman's authority and their readiness to execute his commands, while also showing respect for his leadership by allowing him to make the crucial decision. The phrase 'the command is yours' (al-amru ilayk) reflects the hierarchical structure of Sulayman's kingdom where even the most powerful subordinates acknowledge their leader's supreme authority.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Sulayman (Solomon) and the Queen of Sheba, a Meccan surah dealing with signs of Allah's power and prophethood. The context involves Sulayman's test of his jinn army's capabilities—he asked who would bring the throne before his assembly, and the jinn respond with confidence in their abilities while respecting his ultimate authority.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about Sulayman's prayer and his unique kingdom granted by Allah. The theme of obedience to righteous leadership is reinforced in numerous ahadith about following just rulers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true strength lies not merely in power and capability, but in recognizing legitimate authority and channeling one's abilities toward righteous goals under wise leadership. Modern readers should reflect on how to balance competence with humility, and how to properly submit to just authority while maintaining dignity.
Related Ayahs
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."
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."
إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.
قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ لِمَ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
He said, "O my people, why are you impatient for evil before [i.e., instead of] good? Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allāh that you may receive mercy?"