47. SAYYIDUNA SULAYMAN’S WOODPECKER
Although all birds were obedient to Sayyiduna Sulayman but his woodpecker was famous for his extraordinary submission and good service. It was the woodpecker who informed Sayyiduna Sulayman about the queen Bilqees of the country named ‘Saba’ that she ruled over the empire sitting on a huge throne. In addition, she possessed everything that a monarch should have. But unfortunately, she and people of her nation would worship the stars. Hearing this news, Sayyiduna Sulayman wrote a letter to Bilqees and the same woodpecker delivered it. The Holy Quran mentions the instructions of Sayyiduna Sulayman to the woodpecker in following words:
Go with this letter of mine and cast to them – then move aside from them and see what they answer in return.
Therefore, the woodpecker took the letter and dropped it in the lap of Bilqees from the top. At that time, she gathered all the statesmen and aristocrats of her empire around her and after reading the letter, she was horrified and said to the members of her court that:
O chiefs, indeed a noble letter has been casted towards me. Indeed it is from Sulayman, and it is commencing with Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful that do not wish eminence above me, and present yourselves to me submitting.
After reading out the letter in front of the aristocrats and the ministers of her state, she sought their suggestion in this regard. Boasting upon their physical and military power, the aristocrats suggested declaring a war on Sayyiduna Sulayman . Bilqees, who was a wise and sane woman, warned and directed her aristocrats and ministers by saying that war is not viable because it will make cities desolated and the aristocrats and well-esteemed people of cities will become victim of humiliation and notoriety. Therefore, I think it would be a prudent option to send some gifts and presents to verify whether Sulayman is only some sort of worldly king or also a Prophet of Allah. As if he is a Prophet of Allah then he will never accept my gifts. On the contrary, he will insist to follow his religion. And if he is merely a worldly king, then he will turn mild by accepting my gifts. Therefore, through a messenger, Bilqees sent five hundred slaves, five hundred well-ornamented bondmaids and five hundred golden bricks with them, loads of jewels, perfumes and a studded crown along with a letter by her. Seeing all this, the woodpecker departed from there and revealed everything in the court of Sayyiduna Sulayman . Therefore, after few days, when the envoy of Bilqees arrived in the court of Sayyiduna Sulaymanloaded with lots of goods, Sayyiduna Sulayman said to the messenger furiously:
He said, ‘Are you helping me with wealth? What Allah has bestowed upon me is better than what He has given you; rather it is you who are delighted at your gift. Go back to them – so We shall indeed come upon them with an army they cannot fight, and degrading them shall certainly drive them out from that city, so they will be humbled.’
Therefore, upon his return, when the messenger told the whole incident to Bilqees, she then presented herself in the court of Sayyiduna Sulayman . After seeing the court of Sayyiduna Sulayman and its mysteries and wonders, she was assured that no doubt, Sayyiduna Sulayman is a true Prophet of Allah and his empire is bestowed unto him by Allah. When Sayyiduna Sulayman advised her to embrace Islam, she embraced Islam without any hesitation. After this, Sayyiduna Sulayman married Bilqees and kept her in his palace.
In this perspective, all the great tasks accomplished by the woodpecker are no doubt among the wonders of the world which are in fact the miracles of Sayyiduna Sulayman.
Source: (QURANIC WONDERS) by ‘ABDUL MUSTAFA A’ZAMI.
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