قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ 39
Translations
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."
Transliteration
Qala 'ifrītun mina al-jinni anā ātīka bihi qabla an taqūma min maqāmika wa-innī 'alayhi laqawiyyun amīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
An 'ifrīt (powerful demon) from the jinn responds to Solomon's request to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba before his assembly disperses, boasting that he can deliver it before Solomon even rises from his place. This demonstration of the jinn's supernatural abilities serves to highlight Solomon's unique authority over the unseen realm and divine favor, while the creature's confidence in its strength ('alayhi laqawiyyun) and trustworthiness ('amīn) sets up the contrast with the subsequent offer from the righteous believer who possesses knowledge. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note this ayah illustrates the hierarchy of obedience to Solomon—even the proud jinn acknowledge his command.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Solomon seeking the throne of Bilqīs (the Queen of Sheba) to test the loyalty and capability of those under his command. The broader surah focuses on Solomon's miraculous authority over creation and his wisdom in governance. This specific incident demonstrates the testing of his servants' abilities and character, ultimately leading to the introduction of a more worthy individual.
Related Hadiths
While no direct hadith explicitly quotes this ayah, Sunan At-Tirmidhi and other collections contain discussions of Solomon's authority over the jinn and the marvels granted to him. The theme of trustworthiness ('amānah) is emphasized throughout prophetic traditions, particularly in Sahih Al-Bukhari regarding the protection of trusts.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that worldly power and boastful ability, while impressive, are not always the most valuable qualities—true excellence lies in combining strength with wisdom, humility, and genuine righteousness, as demonstrated in the verse that immediately follows.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ قِيلَ أَهَـٰكَذَا عَرْشُكِ ۖ قَالَتْ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ ۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسْلِمِينَ
So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allāh].
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَقُصُّ عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَكْثَرَ ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Indeed, this Qur’ān relates to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree.
أَمَّن جَعَلَ ٱلْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَـٰلَهَآ أَنْهَـٰرًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allāh? [No], but most of them do not know.
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.