Surah An-Naml — Verse 37

Key Words and Phrases:

• Irji' (ارْجِعْ): Return; go back.
• Junood (بِجُنُودٍ): Armies or forces.
• La qibala lahum biha (لَا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا): They will have no power or ability to withstand them; no capacity to resist.
• Nukhrijannahum (وَلَنُخْرِجَنَّهُم): We will surely drive them out.
• Adhillah (أَذِلَّةً): Humiliated, brought low, in a state of disgrace.
• Saghiroon (صَاغِرُونَ): Subdued, utterly contemptible, and disgraced.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this powerful verse, Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), peace be upon him, responds to the envoys of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) who had brought him a lavish gift. With firmness and divine authority, he instructs the messenger to return the gift to them, making it clear that he is not interested in worldly wealth or material offerings. He declares that he will come to them with armies so mighty that they will have absolutely no power to resist or even face them. And if they do not submit to the worship of Allah alone, he will expel them from their land—the land of Sheba—in a state of utter humiliation and disgrace, stripped of their former pride and glory.

This response reflects the character of a true prophet of Allah: one who is not swayed by bribes or worldly treasures, but whose sole mission is to establish the truth and call people to the worship of the One True God. Sulayman’s words are not born of arrogance, but of certainty in the power of Allah and the justice of his cause. He gives them a clear choice: submit to Allah and live in peace, or face the consequences of their pride.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse carries a timeless lesson for all of us. It teaches us that the message of Islam is not for sale, and that the truth of Tawheed (monotheism) cannot be compromised for any worldly gain. Prophet Sulayman, despite being the most powerful king of his time, did not use his power to oppress or to seek revenge—he used it to invite people to the path of Allah with clarity and strength. His firmness was a form of mercy, because it left no room for confusion: the choice was clear, and the path to honor was open to them through submission to Allah.

For us today, this verse reminds us of the dignity and honor that comes with standing firm in our faith. When we prioritize Allah’s commands over material temptations, we are following in the footsteps of the greatest prophets. And just as Sulayman’s power was a means to spread the message of truth, we too can use whatever abilities and resources Allah has given us—whether it be our wealth, our knowledge, or our influence—to call others to goodness and to defend the truth with wisdom and courage. The promise of Allah is certain: those who humble themselves before Him are raised in honor, and those who persist in arrogance will ultimately face humiliation, in this life and the next. Let us therefore strive to be among the humble, the sincere, and the firm in faith, for that is the path to true success and eternal bliss.