قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ 39
Translations
A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."
Transliteration
Qala 'ifrītun mina al-jinni anā ātīka bihi qabla an taqūma min maqāmika wa-innī 'alayhi laqawiyyun amīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
An 'ifrīt (powerful demon) from the jinn responds to Solomon's request to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba before his assembly disperses, boasting that he can deliver it before Solomon even rises from his place. This demonstration of the jinn's supernatural abilities serves to highlight Solomon's unique authority over the unseen realm and divine favor, while the creature's confidence in its strength ('alayhi laqawiyyun) and trustworthiness ('amīn) sets up the contrast with the subsequent offer from the righteous believer who possesses knowledge. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note this ayah illustrates the hierarchy of obedience to Solomon—even the proud jinn acknowledge his command.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Solomon seeking the throne of Bilqīs (the Queen of Sheba) to test the loyalty and capability of those under his command. The broader surah focuses on Solomon's miraculous authority over creation and his wisdom in governance. This specific incident demonstrates the testing of his servants' abilities and character, ultimately leading to the introduction of a more worthy individual.
Related Hadiths
While no direct hadith explicitly quotes this ayah, Sunan At-Tirmidhi and other collections contain discussions of Solomon's authority over the jinn and the marvels granted to him. The theme of trustworthiness ('amānah) is emphasized throughout prophetic traditions, particularly in Sahih Al-Bukhari regarding the protection of trusts.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that worldly power and boastful ability, while impressive, are not always the most valuable qualities—true excellence lies in combining strength with wisdom, humility, and genuine righteousness, as demonstrated in the verse that immediately follows.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ۩
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."
أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ حَدَآئِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَّا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُنۢبِتُوا۟ شَجَرَهَآ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ
[More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allāh? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ قِيلَ أَهَـٰكَذَا عَرْشُكِ ۖ قَالَتْ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ ۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسْلِمِينَ
So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allāh].
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."