An-Naml: (38–40) He said, "O chiefs..."

Verse 38: {He said, "O chiefs, which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"}

It is evident from this verse that the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) was determined to join Solomon. It also shows that the matter of the throne was well-known, and Solomon wished to have it present before her arrival.

There are several differing opinions regarding Solomon's purpose in requesting the throne:

1. Proof of God's Power and Solomon's Prophethood: The throne was to serve as a sign for Bilqis, confirming the power of God Almighty and the prophethood of Solomon, supplementing the previous proofs.
2. Testing Her Intellect: Solomon intended to have the throne altered or disguised, then present it to her to see if she would recognize it or deny it. This was a test of her intellect, supported by the subsequent verse: {He said, "Disguise her throne for her; we will see if she is guided or if she is not among those who are guided"} (An-Naml: 41).
3. Seizing Her Property Before Conversion: Qatadah said that Solomon wanted to take possession of her property before she embraced Islam, knowing that it would not be permissible for him to take her wealth once she became a Muslim.
4. Assessing Her Kingdom's Extent: The throne represents the seat of the kingdom. Solomon wished to ascertain the magnitude of her dominion before she arrived.

Verse 39: {Said an 'ifrit from the jinn, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for that [task] strong and trustworthy."}

• 'Afrit: An 'Afrit among men is a wicked, defiant one who overpowers his peers. Among the devils, it means a malicious, powerful one.
• Before you rise from your place: This means before you leave your seat. For this time limit to be valid, it must refer to a known custom. Some suggested it meant the seat of judgment among people, others the time when people deliver sermons, and still others, until midday.
• Strong and Trustworthy: Strong enough to carry it, and trustworthy to bring it exactly as it is, without altering anything.

Verse 40: {Said one who had knowledge from the Book, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you."}

There are two points of discussion here:

The identity of this person is disputed:

1. An Angel: Some say he was an angel. Among them, some suggest it was Gabriel (peace be upon him), and others say it was an angel whom God supported Solomon with.
2. A Human Being: Others say he was human, with several opinions:
   • Asif ibn Barkhiya: This is the famous view attributed to Ibn Abbas—Solomon's vizier, who was a righteous man knowing the Greatest Name of God (Ism al-A'zam), by which his supplications were answered.
   • Ibn Mas'ud's View: It was Khidr (peace be upon him).
   • Qatadah's View: A righteous man who knew the Greatest Name of God.
   • Ibn Zayd's View: A righteous man living on an island in the sea who happened to be observing Solomon that day.
   • Solomon Himself: This view suggests Solomon was addressing the 'Afrit who spoke to him. Solomon first issued a challenge to demonstrate a miracle, then showed the 'Afrit that he could bring the throne with a speed unattainable by the jinn. This view is considered stronger for several reasons:
     • The word alladhi (who/that) in Arabic is used to refer to a specific, known person in a known story. The person known to possess "knowledge from the Book" is Solomon. While Asif might also have possessed such knowledge, Solomon, as the Prophet, was more knowledgeable of the Book, making the reference to him more appropriate.
     • Bringing the throne at that precise moment is a high spiritual station. If Asif achieved this without Solomon, it would imply Asif was superior to Solomon, which is impermissible.
     • If Solomon needed Asif for this task, it would imply a deficiency in Solomon's status in the eyes of the people.
     • Solomon's subsequent statement, {This is from the bounty of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful}, implies that God manifested this miracle through Solomon's own supplication.

The nature of "the Book" is also debated:

1. The Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz): Gabriel (peace be upon him) had knowledge of it.
2. Solomon's Own Scripture or that of a Previous Prophet: In general, it is understood that this description signifies praise, and this knowledge was the means by which the throne was transported quickly. This is why they concluded it was the Greatest Name of God, through which acceptance from God was granted in the quickest time.

Further Analysis of Verse 40: {Said one who had knowledge from the Book, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you."}

There are two further points:

1. "I will bring it to you" (Ātīka): This verb form can function as either a present tense verb or a participle (active noun).
2. "Before your glance returns to you" (Qabla an yartadda ilayka ṭarfuk): There are two interpretations:
   • Exaggeration of Speed: It means doing it instantaneously, as one might tell a friend, "Do that in the blink of an eye." This is Mujahid's view.
   • Literal Meaning: The glance (ṭarf) refers to the movement of the eyelids when looking. When the eyelid opens, one might imagine the light extending to the seen object; when it closes, one might imagine the light returning to the eye. This is the intended meaning of the glance returning.

Addressing the Question of Speed:

A question arises: How is it possible to transport the throne over such a distance in such a short time? This seems to require either the concept of tafra (jumping/instantaneous displacement) or the simultaneous existence of one body in two places.

The Answer: Engineers have calculated that the sphere of the sun is 164 times larger than the sphere of the Earth, yet its rising time is very short. If we divide the time required for the entire solar disc to rise by the time it takes for light to travel between Syria and Yemen, the resulting fraction is very small. Since the possibility of such rapid motion is established rationally, and since God is capable of all possibilities, the question is resolved.

Conclusion of the Event

When Solomon saw the throne settled before him, he said: {This is from the bounty of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful.} The interpretation of this trial has been discussed previously.

Solomon then clarified that the benefit of gratitude returns to the grateful person, not to God, for several reasons:

1. The grateful person fulfills the obligation of thanks incumbent upon him.
2. Through gratitude, he secures an increase [in blessings], as stated: {If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]} (Ibrahim: 7).
3. The one engaged in gratitude is occupied with sensory pleasures, and the difference between the grateful person and the one who is not is like the difference in nobility between the bestower of the favor and the favor itself.

Then he said: {And whoever is ungrateful—indeed, my Lord is free of need and generous.} He is free of need for our gratitude, and our ingratitude does not harm Him. He is generous, meaning He does not cut off His blessings from the ungrateful person despite his turning away from thanks.

Verses 41–43: {He said, "Disguise her throne for her; we will see if she is guided or if she is not among those who are guided." * So when she came, it was said, "Is your throne like this?" She said, "It is as if it were the same." And we were given knowledge before her, and we were Muslims. * And what she used to worship besides Allah prevented her. Indeed, she was of a disbelieving people.}

• Disguise her throne for her: This is the command to alter its appearance.
• She said, "It is as if it were the same": She recognized it despite the disguise.
• And we were given knowledge before her, and we were Muslims: This confirms that Solomon and his people knew the truth (monotheism) before she arrived, and they were already submitting to God.
• And what she used to worship besides Allah prevented her: Her previous worship of the sun was the barrier preventing her immediate acceptance of Islam (or perhaps preventing her from immediately submitting fully). Indeed, she belonged to a people of disbelief.