What did Ibn Kathir say about Prophet Sulaymān?
Sulaymān received a kingdom Allah promised no one would equal after him. Ibn Kathir tells of his authority over jinn and animals, his dialogue with the ant, and the queen of Sabaʾ.
10 passages from 9 books in the library
Ibn Kathir relates that Sulayman (Solomon) received a kingdom Allah promised none would equal after him. As the page describes, his authority extended over the jinn and the animals, including his famed dialogue with the ant and his encounter with the queen of Saba'. The cited passages note the understanding Allah granted both Dawud and Sulayman, the account of the angel of death entering upon Sulayman, and his standing as a prophet-king whose dominion was a distinguishing favour from his Lord.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 9 books by Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn Battuta, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Allah also said, We gave Solomon understanding of it, and to both David and Solomon We gave"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"The angel of death entered upon Solomon and fixed his gaze on one of Solomon's companions."
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
More on Ibn Battuta →
· Provenance →
-
"He asked, O Lord, give it to Solomon, and it was given to Solomon, peace be upon him."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Abu Sulayman the Sufi mentioned that wearing wool as a mark of renunciation is inappropriate if one's heart desires five dirhams."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"It was noted that Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Asbahani made an error in the narration from Abu Huraira."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
-
"dual form, as in the verse. And, mentioned David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field,"
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
-
"occurred. Nabuqadnezzar, the paradise created by intolerance, the paradise of Saba, the companions"
-
"between the time of Solomon and Jesus, peace be upon them. Ibn Asakir narrated from Anas Ibn Malik"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Abu Sulayman al-Darani remarked, Whoever marries, seeks hadith, or engages in travel has inclined"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Abu Sulayman al-Darani once expressed to Ahmad ibn Abi al-Hawari that he had attained a portion"
Want a different angle?
Type your question below — JM Scholar will ground its answer in the same sources.