۞ 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
قَالَتْ إِنَّ ٱلْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا۟ قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوٓا۟ أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَآ أَذِلَّةً ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ
She said, "Indeed kings - when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do.
ٱذْهَب بِّكِتَـٰبِى هَـٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return."
وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And whoever comes with an evil deed - their faces will be overturned into the Fire, [and it will be said], "Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?"
وَكَانَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ
And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].