THE STORY OF BILQIS (Queen Sheba) AND SULEIMAN (AS)

Analyzing Suratul naml, Qur’an chapter 27 verse 20-44

Part 2

meaning, or are you telling a lie in order to save yourself from the threat I made against you!’

اذْهَب بِّكِتَابِي هَذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ

Go you with this letter of mine and deliver it to them then draw back from them and see what they return.

Suleiman wrote a letter to Bilqis and her people and gave it to the hoopoe to deliver.

It was said that he carried it on his wings, as is the way with birds, or that he carried it in his beak. He went to their land and found the palace of Bilqis, then he went to her private chambers and threw the letter through a small window, then he stepped to one side out of good manners.

Bilqis was amazed and confused when she saw that, then she went and picked up the letter, opened its seal and read it.

The letter said:

إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

أَلاَّ تَعْلُوا عَلَيَّ وَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ

it is from Suleiman, and it (reads):`In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; Be you not exalted against me, but come to me submitting (as Muslims).’

So she gathered her commanders and ministers and the leaders of her land

قَالَتْ

She said:(said to them),

يَا أَيُّهَا المَلَاُ إِنِّي أُلْقِيَ إِلَيَّ كِتَابٌ كَرِيمٌ

“O chiefs! Verily, here is delivered to me a noble letter.”

She described it as such because of the wondrous things she had seen, that it was delivered by a bird who threw it to her, then stood aside out of good manners. This was something that no king could do.

Then she read the letter to them:

إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Verily, it is from Suleiman, and it (reads):

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; Be you not exalted against me, but come to me submitting (as Muslims).’

Thus they knew that it was from Allah’s Prophet Suleiman, upon him be peace, and that they could not match him.

This letter was the utmost in brevity and eloquence, coming straight to the point.

أَلاَّ تَعْلُوا عَلَيَّ
.

Be you not exalted against me,

Qatadah said:

“Do not be arrogant with me”.

وَأْتُونِي مُسْلِمِينَ

but come to me submitting (as Muslims).”

Bilqis consults with Her Chiefs

Allah tells:

قَالَتْ

She said:

When she read Suleiman’s letter to them and consulted with them about this news, then she said:

يَا أَيُّهَا المَلَاُ أَفْتُونِي فِي أَمْرِي مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّى تَشْهَدُونِ

“O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me.”

meaning, `until you come together and offer me your advice.

قَالُوا نَحْنُ أُوْلُوا قُوَّةٍ وَأُولُوا بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ

They said:”We have great strength, and great ability for war…”

They reminded her of their great numbers, preparedness and strength, then they referred the matter to her and said:

وَالاْاَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَانظُرِي مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ

but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command.

meaning, we have the power and strength, if you want to go to him and fight him.’

The matter is yours to decide, so instruct us as you see fit and we will obey

قَالَتْ

She said:

Ibn Abbas said:

“Bilqis said:

إِنَّ الْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوا أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَا أَذِلَّةً

Verily, kings, when they enter a town, they destroy it and make the most honorable amongst its people the lowest.

And Allah said:

وَكَذَلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ

And thus they do.

Then she resorted to peaceful means, seeking a truce and trying to placate Suleiman, and said:

وَإِنِّي مُرْسِلَةٌ إِلَيْهِم بِهَدِيَّةٍ فَنَاظِرَةٌ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ الْمُرْسَلُونَ

But verily, I am going to send him a present, and see with what the messengers return.

meaning, I will send him a gift befitting for one of his status, and will wait and see what his response will be. Perhaps he will accept that and leave us alone, or he will impose a tax which we can pay him every year, so that he will not fight us and wage war against us.’

Qatadah said:

“May Allah have mercy on her and be pleased with her — how wise she was as a Muslim and (before that) as an idolator! She understood how gift-giving has a good effect on people.”

Ibn Abbas and others said:

“She said to her people, if he accepts the gift, he is a king, so fight him; but if he does not accept it, he is a Prophet, so follow him.

THE GIFT AND THE RESPONSE OF SULEIMAN (AS)

Allah tells:

فَلَمَّا جَاء سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ

So, when (the messengers with the gift) came to Suleiman, he said:

More than one of the scholars of “Tafsir” among the “Salaf” and others stated that she sent him a huge gift of gold, jewels, pearls and other things.

It is apparent that Suleiman, (peace be upon him) did not even look at what they brought at all and did not pay any attention to it, but he turned away and said, rebuking them:

أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ

“Will you help me in wealth!”

meaning, are you trying to flatter me with wealth so that I will leave you alone with your “Shirk” and your kingdom!’

فَمَا اتَانِيَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا اتَاكُم

What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you!

means, what Allah has given to me of power, wealth and troops, is better than that which you have.

بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ

Nay, you rejoice in your gift!

means, you are the ones who are influenced by gifts and presents; we will accept nothing from you except Islam or the sword.

To be continue insha Allah.

Bashir Habeebullah @ knowislam.com.ng

HIJAB: SKIMPY OR LENGTHY?

I once smilingly challenged a lady why she wasn’t in hijab to top up her all-covering gown. She told me that she was okay with the headwear on her. Shockingly, she confidently claimed that putting on a headscarf to cover the hair was Allah’s utmost requirement of any muslim lady or woman. Hmm! What a conclusion! Apparently, this is the state of mind of a lot of muslim women today. It is no hyperbole that some of them will even observe solaah in that state. Ask them why? They may tell you the chief imam’s wife or the missioner’s daughter equally dresses and prays as such. Therefore, they have a hujjah (a proof) for their action.

A lot of muslim women dress as they wish, not as Allah has legislated. The holy Qur’an is simplistically clear about the way a muslimah should attire herself, including the use of hijab. There is nowhere in the holy Scriptures – the Qur’an or the Hadeeth, where hijab is limited to the headgear – mere tying a piece of cloth round the head to cover the hair. Exposing the neck renders the headwear invalid. Suratun-Nuur – Q24 V31 caps it all, thus:

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guide their modesty; that they should not display their beauty except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their cover (khimaar, hijaab) over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male attendants free of sexual desires, or small children who have no carnal knowledge of women…”

The verse referenced here is a pointer to the fact that the least length of a muslimah’s hijab is that which draws from the head down to the bosom – the chest or breast area. If a headscarf is used, it therefore, must be accompanied by another garment placed on it down to the bosom, at least. Do you now see that your imam’s wife or whosoever is no proof for you to flout Allah’s injunction. Headwear without hijab can only be worn where there are no strangers or outsiders except the aforementioned persons. In fact, if you so wish, your head may not even be covered. You are at liberty to be free with them.

Is wearing hijab up to the bosom enough for a muslimah? Allah clarifies this in another verse of the holy Book thus:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons. That is most convenient. That they should be known and not molested. And Allah is oft-forgiving, most Merciful.” Suuratul Ahzaab – Q33 V59.

According to scholars in the exegesis or analysis of the verse, believing women as indicated above refers to muslim ladies in general. Ordering the Prophet to tell his own queens and daughters without leaving other women unmentioned to cast their outer garments (hijab) over their persons is a crystal clear indication that wearing the hijab up to the bosom isn’t the Islamic dress standard, but the least, perhaps to start with. A muslimah is therefore, expected to grow and increase in faith both inwardly and outwardly. Limiting yourself to the small hijab is like limiting yourself to the kindergarten class. You will not want to do that, you know. You will want to get to the university, obtain a masters degree after the first degree. You will even want to be addressed as a professor after a successful completion of your doctorate. Why then do you want to remain static and stationary regarding a spiritual matter that will earn you eternal life? You have been on that skimpy hijab for quite an age. You are not worried that you are not improving. My sister, you need some reminiscence to know that if there is anything you should improve on, it is your spiritual mode of dressing.

Some women adhere to longness, wideness of hijab though, but their ornaments are usually transparent. This, undoubtedly, is no adherence at all. Earrings, hairstyle, necklace, brassieres, pant’s shapes etc. must be jealously and meticulously covered. That is why it is good to ensure that at least, one’s hijab draws down beyond the buttocks. This will protect the exposition of the shape of the pant. Appearing in transparent wears is like putting on nothing. It defeats the lofty essence of covering the body. It is like not wearing anything at all. You don’t have to do it the way you see people do it. Do it as sacredly required by your Lord.
Some ladies want to wear the real hijab, but the phobia of being deprived of a lucrative job is keeping them aloof. Their parents fuel the fear by ringing it repeatedly – “Don’t wear a big hijab in order to get a good job,” so they scare and corrupt their children. They have forgotten that whether long or short, hijab is a threat to an average enemy of Islam. They have forgotten that it is only Allah that provides jobs. Today, there are numberless medical doctors in long, wide hijabs. If you doubt this, kindly pay a five-minute visit to any nearby general hospital in Lagos, for instance. You will endlessly unveil your mouth in surprise of the reality your eyes will expose you to.

That someone used to be a wearer of a long hijab isn’t a reason to jettison its use by you. That she became a wearer of a small one isn’t a factor to behold. It is simply symptomatic of weakness of faith. The truth is that she allowed herself to be ‘shaytanically’ defeated. She is gradually oozing out of the can. She needs your counsel, not emulation. She requires your prayers, not replication. Her condition is indeed a perturbing one. Pity her. Sympathise with her. Talk to her to come back to life. If not, she will put off the hijab anytime soon.

The use of Hijab isn’t for fashion. It is a serious spiritual business.

Sanni K. Yusuf @ knowislam.com.ng

ARE YOU A MUSLIM?

Qur’aniyyu: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he claims to believe only in the Qur’an and disregards all the Ahaadeeth. How he’s able to observe ghusl (Janaabah), wuduu'(ablution) and Solaat without the Hadeeth still remains a mystery.

Qadariyyah: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he disbelieves in Qadar and claims Allah does not have any foreknowledge of events before they take place.

Jabariyyah: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he believes Allah imposes actions on man and strips the latter of freewill and hence, blame for misdeeds.

Khoorijiyyu: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he declares every sinner a Kafir and passes death sentence on them.

Mu’taziliyyu: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, a sinner, to him is neither a Muslim nor a Kafir but occupied an intermediary position.

? Shi’iyyu: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he insults, curses and make takfeer on the Sohaabah (including wives of the Rosuul) and rejects the Hadeeth.

Suufiyyu: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he worships the grave, venerates the saints and rubbishes any Hadeeth that does not promote his erroneous aqeedah.

Rationalist: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he rationalizes every single and clear text of the Qur’an and Hadeeth without knowledge of the Deen. He assumes the role of an exegete, jurist and Hadeeth scholar, interpreting texts in a manner that suits him.

? Modernist: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Yet, he believes some texts of the Qur’an and Hadeeth are obsolete and need to be overhauled, revised and standardized to meet modern trend of events.

? Sunni-Salafi: Yes, I’m a Muslim. Islam must be practised according to the injunctions of the Qur’an and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf (pious predecessors).

Who is a Muslim??? Searching for an identity, lost in mystery…

 Credit : Sirnucy Lafiagi

THE STORY OF BILQIS (queen Sheba) AND SULEIMAN (AS)

Analyzing Suratul naml, Qur’an Chapter 27 verse 20-44

part 1

This story started when prophet Sulaiman (AS) embarked on a journey. Prophet Suleiman (AS) and his entourage get to a place where they rested and the hoopoe left them when they were resting.

Allah tells:

وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ

He inspected the birds,

Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and others narrated from Ibn Abbas and others that the hoopoe was an expert who used to show Suleiman where water was if he was out in open land and needed water.

The hoopoe would look for water for him in the various strata of the earth, just as a man looks at things on the surface of the earth, and he would know just how far below the surface the water was. When the hoopoe showed him where the water was, Suleiman would command the Jinn to dig in that place until they brought water from the depths of the earth.

One day Suleiman went to some open land and checked on the birds, but he could not see the hoopoe.

فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَايِبِينَ

and (Suleiman) said:”What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe Or is he among the absentees!”

لَاأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا

I will surely punish him with a severe torment,

Al-A`mash said, narrating from Al-Minhal bin `Amr from Sa`id that Ibn Abbas said:

“He meant, by plucking his feathers.”

Abdullah bin Shaddad said:

“By plucking his feathers and exposing him to the sun.”

أَوْ لَاَذْبَحَنَّهُ

or slaughter him,

means, killing him.

أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

unless he brings me a clear reason.

i.e., a valid excuse.

Sufyan bin Uyaynah and Abdullah bin Shaddad said:

“When the hoopoe came back, the other birds said to him:”What kept you, Suleiman has vowed to shed your blood.”

The hoopoe said:”Did he make any exception (did he say `unless!’).”

They said, “Yes, he said:

لَاأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَاأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
(I will surely punish him with a severe torment or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason).

The hoopoe said, “Then I am saved.

HOW THE HOOPOE CAME BEFORE SULEIMAN (AS) AND TOLD HIM ABOUT SABA’

Allah says:

فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ

But (the hoopoe) stayed not long,

meaning, he was absent for only a short time.

فَقَالَ

he said:

Then he came and said to Suleiman:

أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ

I have grasped which you have not grasped,

meaning, `I have come to know something that you and your troops do not know.’

وَجِيْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ

and I have come to you from Saba’ with true news.

meaning, with true and certain news.
Saba’ (Sheba) refers to Himyar, they were a dynasty in Yemen.

Then the hoopoe said

إِنِّي وَجَدتُّ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ

I found a woman ruling over them,

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said,

“This is Bilqis bint Sharahil, the queen of Saba’.”

Allah’s saying:

وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ

she has been given all things,

means, all the conveniences of this world that a powerful monarch could need.

وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ

and she has a great throne.

meaning, a tremendous chair adorned with gold and different kinds of jewels and pearls.

The historians said,

“This throne was in a great, strong palace which was high and firmly constructed. In it there were three hundred and sixty windows on the east side, and a similar number on the west, and it was constructed in such a way that each day when the sun rose it would shine through one window, and when it set it would shine through the opposite window. And the people used to prostrate to the sun morning and evening.”

This is why the hoopoe said

وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ

I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaytan has made their deeds fair seeming to them, and has prevented them from the way,

meaning, from the way of truth,

فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ

so they have no guidance.

Allah’s saying:

وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيل

فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ

أَلاَّ يَسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ

and Shaytan has made their deeds fair seeming to them, and has prevented them from the way, so they have no guidance, so they do not prostrate themselves before Allah.

They do not know the way of truth, prostrating only before Allah alone and not before anything that He has created, whether heavenly bodies or anything else.

الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالاَْرْضِ

Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth,

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said:

“He knows everything that is hidden in the heavens and on earth.”

This was also the view of Ikrimah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Qatadah and others.

His saying:

وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ

and knows what you conceal and what you reveal.

means, He knows what His servants say and do in secret, and what they say and do openly.

His saying:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Allah, “La ilaha illa Huwa”, the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

means, He is the One to be called upon, Allah, He is the One other than Whom there is no god, the Lord of the Supreme Throne, and there is none greater than Him in all of creation.

Since the hoopoe was calling to what is good, and for people to worship and prostrate to Allah alone, it would have been forbidden to kill him.

Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that:

the Prophet forbade killing four kinds of animals:

ants,

bees,

hoopoes and

the sparrow hawks.

Its chain of narration is (Sahih).

SULEIMAN’S LETTER TO BILQIS (AS)

Allah tells us what Suleiman said to the hoopoe when he told him about the people of (Saba’) and their queen:

قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

(Suleiman) said:”We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.”

meaning, `are you telling the truth!’

أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

(or you are (one) of the liars).

meaning, or are you telling a lie in order to save yourself from the threat I made against you!’

اذْهَب بِّكِتَابِي هَذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ

To be continue insha Allaah.

Bashir Habeebullah @ knowislam.com.ng

WHY DOES A CHILD RESEMBLE ITS FATHER OR MOTHER?

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) provided an excellent answer to this question in one of the Hadith. Abdullah bin Salam asked the prophet (S.a.w) four questions, we read in the Hadith of Sahih Al-bukhari

Narrated Anas: When ‘Abdullah bin Salam heard the arrival of the Prophet at Medina, he came to him and said, “I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a prophet: What is the first portent of the Hour? What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise? Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle” Allah’s Apostle said, “Gabriel has just now told me of their answers.” ‘Abdullah said, “He (i.e. Gabriel), from amongst all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.” Allah’s Apostle said, “The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be Extra-lobe (caudate lobe) of fish-liver. As for the resemblance of the child to its parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and gets discharge first, the child will resemble the father, and if the woman gets discharge first, the child will resemble her.” On that ‘Abdullah bin Salam said, “I testify that you are the Apostle of Allah.” ‘Abdullah bin Salam further said, “O Allah’s Apostle! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they would tell a lie about me.” The Jews came to Allah’s Apostle and ‘Abdullah went inside the house. Allah’s Apostle asked (the Jews), “What kind of man is ‘Abdullah bin Salam amongst you?” They replied, “He is the most learned person amongst us, and the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us.” Allah’s Apostle said, “What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he does)?” The Jews said, “May Allah save him from it.” Then ‘Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, “I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.” Thereupon they said, “He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest amongst us,” and continued talking badly of him.

Sahih Bukhari Vol4, Book 58, Hadith no 1400

Bashir Habeebullah @ knowislam.com.ng

BEHIND THE VEIL

Sometimes,
I want to open my hijab,
and show the world,
… that I too,
am beautiful in the people’s definition.

But,
deep down here,
in my little heart,
I know that beauty is by definition,
a mystery.
and it is forever more rewarding,
to be beautiful in God’s eyes.

Sometimes,
I want to wear ruffled dresses and tight jeans,
show off what I really look like,
under those baggy shirts and loosely fitted pants,
make a statement,
that I too,
have a figure and worth looking at.

But,
I know better,
to avoid entering the world of men’s imagination,
for I love my future husband,
and I am ashamed,
what should be his, has already been unveiled by others.

Sometimes,
I want to show the world,
the other side of me,
the bubblier, bolder, and crazier me.
put myself on display,
for everyone to see,
to be desired, and admired upon.

But,
I know that eyes are not just eyes,
seeing is not just seeing,
image and respect are gained,
shame and humility deserve a better place.

Dear sisters let try to follow the word of Allah irrespective of our society or social life

Anonymous

Nafysah @ .Knowislam.com.ng.