فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ 36
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Falamma jaa'a Sulaymana qala atumiddunni bimaalin fama ataniyallahu khayrun mimma atakum bal antum bihidiyyatikum tafruhun
Tafsir (Explanation)
When the gift from the Queen of Sheba arrived, Prophet Sulayman rejected the idea that material wealth could impress him, declaring that what Allah has given him is far superior to any worldly treasure. Ibn Kathir explains that Sulayman's response demonstrates his complete reliance on Allah's blessings and his disdain for material possessions as a measure of honor, while Al-Tabari notes that his statement emphasizes the transient nature of worldly gifts compared to divine favor.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Sulayman's correspondence with the Queen of Sheba (Surah An-Naml, verses 15-44), a Meccan surah. The context involves Sulayman's miraculous kingdom, his command over the jinn and wind, and his diplomatic exchange with the Queen who initially sent him a gift of money, to which he responded with indifference, showing that material wealth held no value for him as a divinely appointed leader.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this ayah, the theme relates to the hadith: 'Wealth and children are the adornment of this life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sahih Bukhari 4683). Additionally, Sulayman's rejection of material wealth echoes the hadith emphasizing that 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), focusing on character over material possession.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true honor and success come from Allah's divine favor rather than material accumulation, encouraging believers to maintain perspective on what truly matters in life. Leaders and individuals should prioritize spiritual wealth, wisdom, and moral integrity over the flattery of worldly possessions and gifts.