Surah Sad — Verse 34

Word Meanings:

• Fatanā (فَتَنَّا): We tested, tried, or put through a trial.
• Ulqīnā (أَلْقَيْنَا): We cast or threw.
• Kursiyyihi (كُرْسِيِّهِ): His throne or seat of power.
• Jasadan (جَسَدًا): A body — here referring to a lifeless or incomplete form (a stillborn or deformed child, or a body without a soul).
• Anāba (أَنَابَ): He turned back (to Allah) in repentance and humility.

Tafsir (Explanation):

Indeed, Allah tested His Prophet Sulaymān (Solomon), peace be upon him, with a profound trial. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained this trial: Sulaymān swore an oath that he would visit all of his wives in one night, hoping that each would bear a son who would grow into a warrior fighting in the cause of Allah. But he failed to say *"In shā’ Allāh"* (if Allah wills) — a reminder that no human can accomplish anything except by Allah’s will. As a result, only one of his wives conceived, and she gave birth to a stillborn child — a lifeless body cast upon his throne. This was a humbling lesson: even a mighty prophet like Sulaymān, who had been granted dominion over the wind, the jinn, and the birds, could not control the simplest matters of life and death without Allah’s decree.

Some scholars also mention that a devil took the form of a man and sat on his throne for a period, testing Sulaymān’s patience and trust in Allah. Regardless of the specific interpretation, the essence is clear: Sulaymān was stripped of his usual control and faced a situation that shook his heart. Yet, in that moment of weakness and exposure, he did not despair. Instead, he turned back to his Lord in sincere repentance, humbling himself before the One who tests and the One who forgives.

This story carries a beautiful, timeless message for every believer. No matter how powerful, wise, or blessed you are, you are never above trials. Allah tests those He loves to purify them, to remind them of their dependence on Him, and to elevate their ranks. When Sulaymān stumbled, he did not make excuses — he immediately returned to Allah with a broken heart and a repentant soul. And Allah, in His infinite mercy, not only forgave him but granted him a kingdom unlike any other, as we see in the following verses.

So, dear reader, whenever you face a trial — whether it is a loss of health, wealth, status, or even a personal failure — remember Sulaymān’s example. Do not let pride or despair harden your heart. Instead, let the trial soften it. Say *"In shā’ Allāh"* in all your plans, for you own nothing and control nothing except by Allah’s will. And when you stumble, run back to Him — for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful, and He loves those who turn to Him in repentance. This is the path to true success in this life and the next.