۞ قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ 27
Translations
[Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars.
Transliteration
Qala sananthuru asadaqta am kunta mina al-kadhibeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Sulayman responds to the hoopoe bird's report about the throne of the Queen of Sheba by stating he will verify whether the bird spoke the truth or is among the liars. This demonstrates the prophetic principle of verification and not accepting reports without investigation, even from seemingly reliable sources. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as evidence of Sulayman's wisdom and adherence to due diligence before taking action.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative about Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) and his miraculous command over the jinn, animals, and wind. The context involves the hoopoe bird's absence from his army and its subsequent report about the Queen of Sheba and her magnificent throne. This passage illustrates Sulayman's just leadership and methodical approach to governance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this ayah, it relates thematically to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best of you are those who have the best manners and character' - reflecting the virtue of wisdom and careful deliberation in leadership exemplified by Sulayman.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us the importance of verifying information before acting upon it and not hastily believing claims, a principle essential in both personal relationships and communal affairs. It exemplifies that true leadership requires discernment and careful consideration rather than impulsive decision-making.
Related Ayahs
أَمَّن يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allāh? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."
بَلِ ٱدَّٰرَكَ عِلْمُهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهَا ۖ بَلْ هُم مِّنْهَا عَمُونَ
Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind.
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا هَـٰذَا نَحْنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبْلُ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
۞ وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَآبَّةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
And when the word [i.e., decree] befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].