Prophet Sulayman

Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), son of Dawud (David), was granted gifts by Allah unlike any given to anyone else in history. He was a prophet and a king — and one of the most powerful rulers the world has ever seen. Yet what made Sulayman truly extraordinary was not his power, but how he used it: with deep gratitude to Allah, complete justice, and a constant awareness that everything he had was a gift from his Creator.

Allah gave Sulayman the ability to understand and speak the language of animals and birds — a miracle described directly in the Quran. "We have been taught the language of birds," Sulayman said, "and we have been given all things. This is indeed a clear favour from Allah" (Quran 27:16). He used this gift not to boast or entertain, but to serve justice and glorify Allah.

One of the most beloved stories of Prophet Sulayman is his encounter with a colony of ants. As his great army marched across the land, a small ant called out to warn her fellow ants to go underground before the army passed. Sulayman, who heard her voice, smiled and laughed with delight at the ant's concern for her community. He made du'a to Allah, asking to be guided to perform righteous deeds worthy of the blessings he had been given (Quran 27:18-19). In that moment, a king with armies and kingdoms paused to appreciate the wisdom of a tiny ant — and to thank Allah.

Sulayman also had authority over the winds, the jinn, and vast armies. He used this power to build magnificent structures in the service of Allah, including the great temple in Jerusalem. Messengers came to him from distant lands — including the famous Queen of Sheba, Bilqis, who eventually accepted Islam after seeing the wisdom and truth that Sulayman embodied.

The story of Prophet Sulayman teaches children that true greatness is not about power or wealth — it is about gratitude, humility, and using whatever gifts Allah has given you in His service. A king who stops his army to appreciate a small ant is a king who truly understands where his blessings come from.