Sulaymān ibn Dāwūd (Arabic: سُلَيْمَان ابْن دَاوُوْد, Solomon son of David) was, according to the Quran, a Malik (Arabic: مَـلِـك, King) and Nabī (Prophet) of the Israelites. Islamic tradition generally holds that he was the third King of Jewish people, and a just and wise ruler for the nation.[1]
Islam views Solomon as one of the elect of God, who was bestowed upon with many God-given gifts, including the ability to speak to animals[2] and rule jinn.[3] Muslims further maintain that he remained faithful to a one and only God throughout his life;[4] and reigned justly over the whole of the Israelites; was blessed with a level of Kingship which was given to none after him and before him;[5] and fulfilled all of his commandments, being promised nearness to God in Paradise at the end of his life.[6] Arab historians regarded Solomon as one of the greatest rulers around the world.
According to the Qur'an, the death of Solomon was a lesson to be learned:
Then, when We decreed (Solomon's) death, nothing showed them his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept (slowly) gnawing away at his staff: so when he fell down, the Jinn saw plainly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have tarried in the humiliating Penalty (of their Task).
— Qur’an, Surah 34 (Saba’), Ayah
