Solomon in Islam

Prophet
Sulaymān
Prophet Sulaymān
سُلَيْمَان‎
	Illustrated frontispiece of Solomon enthroned, depicted on a manuscript from the Safavid era (c. 1539)
Born	Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Died	Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Resting place	Al-Ḥaram ash-Sharīf, Jerusalem
Known for	Enslaving the shayatin, communicating with animals and djinn, and conquering the Kingdom of Sheba
Title	Ruler of the Israelites
Predecessor	Dawud
Successor	Ilyas
Father	Dawud

In Islam, Sulaymān ibn Dāwūd (Arabic: سُلَيْمَان بْن دَاوُوْد, lit. 'Solomon, son of David') is described as a nabī (نَبِيّ, lit. 'prophet') and ruler of the Israelites in the Quran. Since the rise of Islam, various Muslim historians have regarded Solomon as one of the greatest rulers in history.^[1] Solomon's rule inspired several Islamic leaders throughout history.

Solomon is regarded to have been bestowed by God the gift to speak to animals and djinn. Furthermore was granted the ability to enslave the devils (Arabic: شَيَاطِين, romanized: šayāṭīn; f.v. Persian: دیو, romanized: div) with the help of a staff or ring given by God.^[2] Solomon's battle with the demons plays an important role Sufistic interpretations of Islam as the internal struggle of the self against demonic urges.

Generally, Islamic tradition holds that he was the third ruler of the Israelites and a wise one.^[3] In contrast to Talmudic tradition, Muslims maintain that Solomon remained a faithful to God throughout his life and was blessed with authority given to none before nor after him. Despite his miraculous abilities, his success stems from solely relying on God, as seen in the challenge of bringing the Throne of Sheba. For that, he was, according to the Quran, promised nearness to God in Jannah (جَنّة, lit. 'Paradise') at the end of his life.^[4]

^ Walker, J.; Fenton, P. (2012). "Sulaymān b. Dāwūd". In P. Bearman; Th. Bianquis; C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam (2nd ed.). Brill. doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_7158.
^ Law and Tradition in Classical Islamic Thought: Studies in Honor of Professor Hossein Modarressi. (2013). Vereinigtes Königreich: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 249
^ Glasse, Cyril (1988). Concise Encyclopedia of Islam. p. 374.
^ Quran 38:40

[1] Walker, J.; Fenton, P. (2012). "Sulaymān b. Dāwūd". In P. Bearman; Th. Bianquis; C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam (2nd ed.). Brill. doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_7158.

[2] Law and Tradition in Classical Islamic Thought: Studies in Honor of Professor Hossein Modarressi. (2013). Vereinigtes Königreich: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 249

[3] Glasse, Cyril (1988). Concise Encyclopedia of Islam. p. 374.

[4] Quran 38:40

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