Tafsir of An-Naml 27:19

"Then he smiled, laughing at..."

The meaning of "he smiled, laughing" is that he smiled while beginning to laugh and entering into it. It means he exceeded the limit of a smile into laughter, which is how the prophets (peace be upon them) would laugh.

As for what is narrated: "That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) laughed until his molars appeared," the purpose is to emphasize the description of the prophetic laughter that occurred. Otherwise, the literal appearance of the molars only happens during extreme astonishment. Ibn al-Sumayfa‘ read it as dahikan (laughing).

If you ask: What made him laugh at her statement? I say: Two things:

1. His admiration for what her words indicated regarding the manifestation of his mercy and the mercy of his soldiers, their compassion, and the fame of his and their state regarding piety. This is her saying: "While they do not perceive," meaning that if they had perceived, they would not have done so.
2. His joy at what Allah had given him that He had not given anyone else: his ability to hear with his ears what was whispered by some of the ants—which are proverbial for their smallness and insignificance—and his comprehension of its meaning.

For this reason, his supplication included asking Allah to inspire him to be grateful for the blessing He bestowed upon him, and to grant him success in increasing righteous deeds and piety.

The reality of "Awzi‘ni" (Inspire me) is: "Make me restrain/hold fast to the gratitude for Your blessing upon me, keeping it bound so it does not escape me, so that I never cease being grateful to You."

He included the mention of his parents because a blessing upon a child is a blessing upon the parents, especially a blessing related to religion. For if he is pious, he benefits them through his supplication and intercession, and through the supplication of the believers for them whenever they pray for him, saying: "May Allah be pleased with you and your parents."

It is narrated that the ant sensed the sound of the soldiers but did not know they were in the air. So, Solomon commanded the wind, and it stopped so they would not be frightened until they entered their dwellings. Then, he made the supplication.

The meaning of "And admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants" is: "Make me one of the people of Paradise."

"And he inspected the birds and said, 'Why do I not see the hoopoe? Or is he among the absent? I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him, or he must bring me a clear authorization.'"