In Part 2 of this series, we will learn about 2 more women honored in the Holy Quran: Bilqis (ra) and the Mother of Musa (a)
Bilqis (ra)
Bilqis (ra) was the Queen of Saba (Sheba) in the 6th century B.C. The land of Saba is in modern day Yemen. The Holy Quran depicts Bilqis (ra) as a wise ruler who consults with others and dislikes war.
Belqis (ra) and her people worship the sun. When Prophet Sulaiman (a) hears about her from his hoopoe bird, he sends her a letter, asking her to worship the one true God. Belqis (ra) receives the letter with respect and consults her advisors about it:
She said, “O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter.
Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: ‘In the name of Allah , the Entirely Merciful, the
Especially Merciful, Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].’ “
She said, “O eminent ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness [for] me.”(Holy Quran 27:29-32)
Her advisors encourage her to go to war, but she prefers peace, stating that wars cause destruction and harm to noble people:
They said, “We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see what you will command.”
She said, “Indeed kings – when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do.” (Holy Quran 27: 33-34)
Belqis (ra) decides to send gifts to Prophet Sulaiman (a), but he rejects them. Then she (ra) travels to Jerusalem to meet Prophet Sulaiman (a). A jinn who serves Sulaiman (a) transports
Belqis’s throne to Prophet Sulaiman’s palace before she arrives.She is astonished to see her throne at Prophet Sulaiman’s palace. When she is about to enter the palace, she thinks she sees water everywhere.
She lifts up her skirts in expectation of getting wet. Prophet Sulaiman (a) explains to her that it is only a glass floor with water beneath it. Her misjudgment opens her eyes to the truth of Prophet Sulaiman’s message, and she becomes a Muslimah:
She (the Queen of Sheba) was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He (Prophet Solomon) said: “This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass.” She said: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds.” (Holy Quran 27:44)
Bilqis (ra) is honored for submitting herself to the One True God. She proved to be of those who were guided by Allah (swt):
He (Solomon) said, “Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she will be guided [to truth] or will be of those who are not guided.”(Holy Quran 27:41)
