وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ 17
Translations
And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows
Transliteration
Wa-hushira li-Sulaymana junuduhu min al-jinni wa-al-insi wa-al-tairi fahum yuwaza'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Prophet Sulayman's armies were assembled before him, consisting of jinn, humans, and birds, all kept in orderly ranks (yuwaza'un - prevented from dispersing). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this demonstrates Sulayman's extraordinary authority granted by Allah, as commanding such diverse forces was a miraculous sign unique to him among the prophets. The phrase 'yuwaza'un' indicates they were organized and controlled, showcasing perfect divine order under righteous leadership.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Sulayman in Surah An-Naml, which was revealed in Mecca. The passage describes the preparatory phase before Sulayman's inspection of the birds and the famous story of the ant and the Queen of Sheba, illustrating Sulayman's kingdom as a manifestation of divine favor and his role as a just, God-fearing leader.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, Sulayman's invocation in 38:35 ('Rabbi ighfir li wa hab li mulkan') is referenced in various hadith collections discussing his unique supplication. The hadith regarding the 'best of judges' (Tirmidhi) relates thematically to Sulayman's justice and leadership.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true leadership—whether in families, communities, or organizations—requires maintaining order and unity among diverse groups, and that such harmony is achieved through justice, wisdom, and alignment with divine guidance. For modern readers, it reminds us that effective stewardship involves not controlling through fear but through just conduct that naturally inspires obedience and cooperation.
Related Ayahs
فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."
قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ كَرِيمٌ
Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."
وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.
إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.