Story Stories of the prophets

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Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), son of Dawud, had been granted by God an extraordinary power: he understood the language of birds and commanded armies made up of men, jinn, and birds. One day, as he reviewed his winged troops, he noticed the absence of a small bird with its characteristic crest: the hoopoe, called in Arabic "al-hudhud".

The Absence Noted

Sulayman, knowing each of his soldiers, at once questioned this absence and threatened to punish the bird severely if it could not provide a valid excuse. This is what Surah An-Naml (The Ants) reports, a chapter that actually takes its name from another episode in this same story.

﴿ وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ ﴾

"He reviewed the birds and said: 'Why do I not see the hoopoe? Is it among the absent?'"

(Surah An-Naml, verse 20)

﴿ لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَاذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ ﴾

"I shall punish it with a severe punishment, or I shall slaughter it, unless it brings me a clear proof."

(Surah An-Naml, verse 21)

The Hoopoe's Report

Shortly after, the hoopoe returned and presented itself before Sulayman with news of paramount importance, obtained through its keen observation during its flight. It had discovered a kingdom ruled by a queen, reigning over the people of Saba, a people who worshipped the sun rather than the One God.

﴿ إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴾

"I found a woman ruling over them; she has been given of everything, and she possesses a great throne."

(Surah An-Naml, verse 23)

This report, precise and detailed, allowed Sulayman to verify the information and begin an exchange with the queen of Saba, an episode that occupies a large portion of this surah. The hoopoe was therefore not punished: its absence was justified by a useful mission, carried out on its own initiative, with discernment and loyalty to its king.

A Lesson from a Small Bird

Quranic commentators often highlight, regarding this passage, the intelligence and acumen attributed to this bird: capable of observing, understanding the significance of what it saw, and reporting it with clarity. It is reported that this story also illustrates how God grants particular abilities to His creatures, each according to a wisdom that belongs to Him alone, and that even the smallest beings can play a role in great events.

This passage from the Quran teaches us to look attentively at the animal world around us. If a small hoopoe could, by God's will, convey decisive information to a prophet, this reminds us of the value and dignity of every creature, however humble it may appear. Caring for birds, observing their behaviour with respect, and preserving their natural habitats thus fit within a tradition that honours the place of animals in creation.