Have you ever wondered about the story of Queen Sheba in the Quran? What lessons can we get out of it? And how can we teach our children about it? If your answer to all these is yes, you are in the right place.
Welcome back to our series, where we share the most interesting Quranic stories for kids. The holy Quran is full of guidance on almost every matter. Luckily, it is also filled with valuable lessons to help us reflect on our lives.
Today, we share with you the story of Queen Sheba and how she crossed paths with the prophet Solomon (Suliman). Peace be upon him.
Queen of Sheba ruled a rich and powerful kingdom, and her story fascinated people for centuries. In the Quran, the story of Queen Sheba is not just about wealth and power but about the journey of faith and humility.
This story is not only engaging and easy for kids to understand, but also a wonderful way to teach them important values.
In this article, we'll explore the story of Queen Sheba, uncovering its lessons for children. As we journey together, we'll showcase ways to bring the story to life for your kids and how it can be a valuable part of their Islamic education. Let's get started.
Who Was Queen Sheba?
Queen Sheba, also known as Bilqis in Islam, ruled the ancient kingdom of Sheba, which is now located in Yemen. She was an incredibly wise and powerful queen. Her kingdom was known for its wealth, international trade, and advanced culture.
She also had an unconquerable army. So your kids may ask what happened to her and why she was mentioned in the Quran. We've got you with all the details that keep them interested. You can check the story of Prophet Solomon to get the whole story and more details.
The story of Queen Sheba and Prophet Solomon.
The story of Queen Sheba and Prophet Solomon is one of the most interesting Quranic stories. Solomon was a very powerful king and also the prophet of Allah. Allah has blessed him with wealth, wisdom, and the ability to talk to animals and control Jinn. He could also control the wind. He had a very large army of men, jinn, and birds.
One day, as he was inspecting his army, he noticed that the hoopoe bird (the hudhud) was absent. He got furious and promised that he would punish him for leaving without permission.
وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِىَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْغَآئِبِينَ ٢٠ لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًۭا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـٰنٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ ٢١
˹One day˺ he inspected the birds, and wondered, “Why is it that I cannot see the hoopoe? Or could he be absent? I will surely subject him to a severe punishment, or ˹even˺ slaughter him, unless he brings me a compelling excuse.” (AN-Naml, 20-21)
When the bird returned, he came to Prophet Suliman and told him about the country he had discovered while exploring: the country of Saba (Sheba). He said it was a country ruled by a woman with an outstanding throne, and they all worshipped the sun.
فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍۢ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍۭ بِنَبَإٍۢ يَقِينٍ ٢٢
إِنِّى وَجَدتُّ ٱمْرَأَةًۭ تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ٢٣ وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُم ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ ٢٤
It was not long before the bird came and said, “I have found out something you do not know. I have just come to you from Sheba with sure news. Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them who has been given everything ˹she needs˺, and who has a magnificent throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah.
For Satan has made their deeds appealing to them, hindering them from the ˹Right˺ Way and leaving them unguided— (An-Naml, 22–24)
That's when the story of Queen Sheba truly begins to take an interesting turn. Prophet Suliman asks the hoopoe to take the letter back to the Queen, inviting her and her people to repent and submit to worship Allah alone.
ٱذْهَب بِّكِتَـٰبِى هَـٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ ٢٨۞ قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ٢٧
Solomon said, “We will see whether you are telling the truth or lying. Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then stand aside and see how they will respond.” (An-Naml, 27–28)
Helping your children build a love for the Quran is a priceless gift. It may take patience at first, but starting young and making it enjoyable makes all the difference. One simple way? Through stories. Kids love stories, and the Quran is full of amazing ones. When they learn that their favorite stories come straight from the Quran, they naturally want to read more.
For busy parents, our animated recitations of Prophet stories from the Quran make learning fun and engaging, helping your kids connect with the Quran effortlessly, so here's Surah An-Naml to get the full details for this story!
The story of Queen Shaba: how did she respond to King Suliman?
Just as Suliman was a wise king, Bilqis, too, was a wise ruler. When she received the letter, she was suspicious that Solomon really wanted to take over her kingdom. Why would he invite her to abandon her beliefs and join another faith? What was in it for him?
She consulted her advisors on what they should do next. Although she was powerful with a great army, she didn't respond with force. Instead, she decided to send him gifts and see his reaction. She was wiser than her counselors, who wanted to use their army. But why did she do this?
Kings are usually interested in presents; somehow, it is a weak point for many of them. The Queen of Sheba wanted to see if he was one of those kings. She said to her people, If he accepts the gift, he is a king, so fight him. But if he does not accept it, he is a prophet, so follow him.
قَالَتْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ إِنِّىٓ أُلْقِىَ إِلَىَّ كِتَـٰبٌۭ كَرِيمٌ ٢٩ إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَـٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣٠ أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ ٣١ قَالَتْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَفْتُونِى فِىٓ أَمْرِى مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشْهَدُونِ ٣٢قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أُو۟لُوا۟ قُوَّةٍۢ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ بَأْسٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ وَٱلْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَٱنظُرِى مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ ٣٣ قَالَتْ إِنَّ ٱلْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا۟ قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوٓا۟ أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَآ أَذِلَّةًۭ ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ ٣٤ وَإِنِّى مُرْسِلَةٌ إِلَيْهِم بِهَدِيَّةٍۢ فَنَاظِرَةٌۢ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ ٣٥
The Queen ˹later˺ announced, “O chiefs! Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me. It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me, fully submitting ˹to Allah˺.’” She said, “O chiefs! Advise me in this matter of mine, for I would never make any decision without you.” They responded, “We are a people of strength and great ˹military˺ might, but the decision is yours, so decide what you will command.” She reasoned, “Indeed, when kings invade a land, they ruin it and debase its nobles. They really do so! But I will certainly send him a gift, and see what ˹response˺ my envoys will return with.” (An-Naml,29-35)
That's when Bilqis was impressed by Solomon’s reaction. Not only was he not interested in her gifts of gold and jewels, but he was offended to receive them.
He returned the gift with a new message: if they don't submit to Allah, he will send armies to destroy and humiliate them. Indeed, he was a prophet of Allah before becoming a wealthy king. Allah's wealth is better than all the gold and jewels.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍۢ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌۭ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ ٣٦ ٱرْجِعْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّهُم بِجُنُودٍۢ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا وَلَنُخْرِجَنَّهُم مِّنْهَآ أَذِلَّةًۭ وَهُمْ صَـٰغِرُونَ ٣٧
When the chief envoy came to him, Solomon said, “Do you offer me wealth? What Allah has granted me is far greater than what He has granted you. No! It is you who rejoice in ˹receiving˺ gifts. Go back to them, for we will certainly mobilize against them forces which they can never resist, and we will drive them out from there in disgrace, fully humbled.” (An-Naml,36-37)
After this response, the queen decided to pay a visit to the king and learn his religion. Let's see how that went.
The Journey to Meet Prophet Solomon
Queen Sheba wanted to see for herself the source and believed that it gave Solomon wisdom. She arrived with lavish gifts, hoping to impress him. Yet, Prophet Solomon was not interested. He welcomed her kindly and respectfully. showing her that his wisdom and power came not from material wealth but from Allah SWT.
Knowing she was a wise woman, he did something else that was the major turning point in the story of Queen Sheba.
Bilqis had a magnificent throne full of many different jewels, pearls, and gold. Suliman wanted to see if she would recognize it when it was here! He wanted to test Queen Sheba’s intelligence and faith.
So, how did he bring her throne all the way from Yemen? One of the jinn offered to get this throne before he could have time to stand up. Another offered to bring it within the blink of an eye. Sure enough, the throne of Sheba was transported to him, so that it was waiting for her in disguise.
قَالَ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَيُّكُمْ يَأْتِينِى بِعَرْشِهَا قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ ٣٨ قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌۭ ٣٩ قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّۭ كَرِيمٌۭ ٤٠ قَالَ نَكِّرُوا۟ لَهَا عَرْشَهَا نَنظُرْ أَتَهْتَدِىٓ أَمْ تَكُونُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ ٤١
Solomon asked, “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in ˹full˺ submission?” One mighty jinn responded, “I can bring it to you before you rise from this council of yours. And I am quite strong and trustworthy for this ˹task˺.” But the one who knew the Scripture said,1 “I can bring it to you in the blink of an eye.”
So when Solomon saw it placed before him, he exclaimed, “This is by the grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, it is only for their own good. But whoever is ungrateful, surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.” ˹Then˺ Solomon said, “Disguise her throne for her so we may see whether she will recognize ˹it˺ or she will not be able to.” (An-Naml,38-41)
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Queen Sheba’s Embrace of Faith
When Queen Sheba saw her throne in Solomon’s palace, she was astonished. She knew that something extraordinary had taken place, something beyond human ability.
When she entered the magnificent palace, the floor was made of shimmering glass, which she thought was real water. She lifted her dress so it would not get wet. That's when Solomon told her that it was crystal glass.
This moment made Queen Sheba realize that Solomon's wisdom and power were indeed from Allah. She understood that everything she had was insignificant compared to the greatness of Allah. Thus, she embraced the new faith, submitting to Allah. The Quran describes this moment:
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ قِيلَ أَهَـٰكَذَا عَرْشُكِ ۖ قَالَتْ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ ۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسْلِمِينَ ٤٢ وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعْبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِن قَوْمٍۢ كَـٰفِرِينَ ٤٣ قِيلَ لَهَا ٱدْخُلِى ٱلصَّرْحَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْهُ حَسِبَتْهُ لُجَّةًۭ وَكَشَفَتْ عَن سَاقَيْهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ صَرْحٌۭ مُّمَرَّدٌۭ مِّن قَوَارِيرَ ۗ قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى وَأَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٤٤
So when she arrived, it was said ˹to her˺, “Is your throne like this?” She replied, “It looks to be the same. We have ˹already˺ received knowledge ˹of Solomon’s prophethood˺ before this ˹miracle˺, and have submitted ˹to Allah˺.” But she had been hindered by what she used to worship instead of Allah, for she was indeed from a disbelieving people. Then she was told, “Enter the palace.” But when she saw the hall, she thought it was a body of water, so she bared her legs.
Solomon said. “It is just a palace paved with crystal.” ˹At last˺ she declared, “My Lord! I have certainly wronged my soul. Now I ˹fully˺ submit myself along with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.” (An-Naml (42:44)
After all, Queen Sheba passed the test. She showed humility; she accepted the truth even if it meant changing her entire belief system. So now that we know the full story, as it was mentioned in the Quran, let's take the time to reflect on the lesson we can learn and teach our little ones.
What Can We Learn from Queen Sheba’s Story and Prophet Solomon?
As parents, you can use Queen Sheba’s story to teach your children several valuable lessons:
Wisdom over Wealth
Queen Sheba's story shows that true wisdom and power come not from material wealth but from faith in Allah. You can explain to your children that while having nice things is okay, what really matters is being wise and making good choices based on our faith. Just like the Prophet Suliman did when he was offered gifts.
He wasn't greedy; he was wise enough to know that Allah was the only one capable of giving wealth, and no one could compare.
Humility and open-mindedness:
Queen Sheba was a powerful queen, but she was humble enough to seek out Prophet Solomon’s wisdom. Although she was the ruler of a great kingdom, she didn't care about what others might say if she embraced the new religion.
She knew it was the right thing to do, and she did it. Encourage your children to always be open to learning and to be humble, no matter how much they think they know.
Critical Thinking
Queen Sheba did not just accept what she heard about Solomon; she investigated it herself. She even tried to test it when she sent the present. Just because many people around us do or say something doesn't mean it is the right thing.
We must think for ourselves and seek out the truth. Encourage your children to think critically, ask questions, and investigate in small and big matters.
Always be thankful to Allah.
Despite his powers and wealth, Suliman never forgot Allah (SWT); he was always grateful to him. He always prayed:
وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ١٩
My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.” An-Naml, 19
Teach your kids to appreciate all the blessings of Allah, even in the darkest times. You can encourage them to reflect at the end of their day and think of things they can thank Allah for. like being thankful for home, family, good moments during the day, etc.
When children make this a daily habit, it becomes part of who they are, teaching them to always be grateful to Allah, the source of every blessing, no matter how small. With the Islamic Galaxy Series: Fun Learning for Toddlers, you can also help your kids learn essential values like patience, honesty, and forgiveness. Each day brings a new lesson wrapped in fun, helping them grow in faith and character at the same time.
Making the Story of Queen Sheba Come Alive for Your Kids
Now that you know the story, how can you make it engaging and fun to learn? Here are some ideas:
- Storytime with Props: Gather some simple props like a toy throne, a crown, and a map. Use these during storytime to help your child visualize the story of Queen Sheba.
- Keep it fun and interactive. Children always remember better when you make them think and find the answer on their own. Ask them questions throughout the story, and make it interactive. For example, ask them, “What do you think Queen Sheba was thinking when she saw her throne in Solomon’s palace?” or “Why do you think Solomon wasn’t impressed by the gifts?”
How Islamic Galaxy Can Help
If you’re looking for more ways to make stories like that of Queen Sheba engaging and educational for your children, we've got you! Islamic Galaxy offers various resources designed to do just that. Subscribe to our website for more interactive games, stories, and activities. They will make learning about Islam and the Quran fun and interactive.
Conclusion
The story of Queen Sheba is rich with valuable lessons for both children and adults. It shows the importance of faith and always being thankful to Allah. It also highlights the significance of wisdom and critical thinking before making big decisions.
Moreover, it teaches us to be humble, open to change, and follow the right path even if everyone around us thinks otherwise. As a parent, sharing this story with your children can open the door to meaningful conversations about such important Islamic values.
Hope this is what you were looking for. Feel free to send us if you have any more questions about the story of Queen Sheba. Happy learning for you and your kids!
