Prophet Sulaiman (also known as Solomon in the Bible) is highly revered in Islam as both a prophet and a king who wielded power with fairness. The Holy Quran presents him as a true servant of God, blessed with knowledge, insight, and a vast kingdom. Yet, he is marked by humility and gratitude. In a time when leadership often means noise and show, Prophet Sulaiman’s example reminds us that true strength is always quiet. It always thinks and judges fairly. This article examines his wisdom, justice, and uncompromising leadership, along with examples that remain relevant today.
Who Was Prophet Sulaiman?
Sulaiman (AS) was the son of Prophet Dawood (David, AS). He inherited extraordinary things like prophethood and kingship, ruling from Jerusalem. The Holy Quran highlights unique gifts granted to him by Allah. These gifts include deep knowledge, the ability to understand the speech of birds as well as animals, and command over the winds and jinn. Despite his extraordinary authority, Sulaiman acknowledged that every blessing was a trust from God and not a reason for pride.
Wisdom That Serves Justice
Islam teaches that wisdom is not cleverness for its own sake, as it is believed nowadays. It is insight that produces fair action. In this context, the Holy Quran mentions a famous legal case judged by Dawood and Sulaiman involving sheep that wandered at night and damaged a farmer’s crops resultantly. Prophet Dawood ruled in favor of the farmer. On the other hand, Sulaiman proposed a more balanced outcome in which the sheep’s owner should restore damaged fields while the farmer temporarily benefits from the animals’ milk and wool. God commended Sulaiman’s understanding, while affirming that both father and son were granted judgment and knowledge. The lesson is very clear: justice seeks repair and balance, not revenge.
The Women and the Child: Uncovering the Truth
Another renowned story from Islamic tradition describes two women disputing over a baby. It was a challenge to reveal the true mother. For this purpose, Prophet Sulaiman announced a shocking test that the child would be cut in two and shared. The real mother immediately cried out after hearing this, begging that the baby be given to the other woman instead. Her compassion exposed the truth, and Sulaiman returned the child to her. The wisdom here is not cruelty but a psychology used to protect the innocent. Ultimately, a just leader understands hearts as well as laws.
Humility, Gratitude, and Care for the Smallest
Most of the time, leadership tempts people to ignore small lives, but Prophet Sulaiman did the opposite. When an ant warned its colony to move aside so his army would not trample them, Sulaiman, smiled and thanked God for reminding him to be grateful and righteous. Although it was a short scene, it says much about his character. He noticed the powerless, respected creation, and linked success to gratitude and not to ego.
Listening Before Acting: The Queen of Sheba
Prophet Sulaiman’s story with the Queen of Sheba (also known as Bilqis) models leadership that prefers dialogue over domination. After he received news of her wealthy kingdom, he wrote a dignified letter inviting her to submit to God. He did not rush to war or humiliation. Resultantly, their exchange ended in recognition of truth and not in senseless destruction. This episode shows strategic patience, consultation, and the use of knowledge to prevent conflict.
Leadership Lessons for Today
Prophet Sulaiman’s life offers practical guidance for modern leaders in government, business, schools, homes, and other environments:
Justice First
Your decisions should repair harm and keep dignity intact. Therefore, seek outcomes that are fair to all sides, not only to the powerful.
Humility in Power
Authority is a trust, and it should always be a priority to remember the Giver of blessings and stay grounded in service to humanity.
Listen Deeply
In today’s world, distractions have become unlimited. You should pay attention to voices that are quite easy to ignore, like the “ant” in your community or team, which may hold vital truth.
Use Knowledge to Prevent Harm
Prefer dialogue, learning, and planning instead of impulse and force. Strength that avoids conflict is always greater than strength that causes it.
Accountability and Gratitude
You should regularly ask, as Prophet Solomon did, to be inspired toward thankfulness and righteous action. Gratitude protects leaders from arrogance.
Justice is not only a court verdict but a way of leading. Prophet Sulaiman showed that fairness, mercy, and responsibility can exist alongside firm authority. In this manner, he did not confuse kindness with weakness, or strength with harshness. By listening first, judging meticulously and remembering God, he protected people’s rights while building a stable society.
Ultimately, this model speaks to our time: when decisions affect families, employees, and communities, leaders should seek balanced solutions. These solutions heal damage, honor truth, and guide people toward better choices. That is the true heart of Islamic leadership.
Summing Up
Prophet Sulaiman (AS) stands as a timeless example of leadership guided by faith. He joined wisdom with action, authority with humility, and law with mercy. His remarkable story invites each of us to lead with fairness and gratitude. If we measure success not by noise or numbers, but by the dignity we protect and the harm we prevent, we will be closer to his teachings.
May we learn from Sulaiman’s prayer: to be thankful for our blessings, to act righteously, and to use whatever power we hold to serve, justly, wisely, and with humble hearts!
