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The Qur'an was sent down to humanity as a
guide to the right path and for obtaining God's mercy. It
gives important knowledge about what Prophet Muhammad (may
God bless him and grant him peace) did, his message to unbelievers,
and his struggle to spread God's religion. It also gives important
information about the lives of Prophet Moses, Prophet Joseph,
Prophet Jesus, Prophet Jonah, Prophet Lot , Prophet Noah,
Prophet Shu'aib, and Prophet Salih (peace be upon them all).
Like our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace),
they invited people to faith in God, warned them about the
afterlife, and relayed true religion so that their people
would adopt high moral standards.
Its verses advise and admonish people by
describing the prophets' high morality, sincere prayers, behavior
in difficult circumstances, and determined efforts to fulfill
their mission. In addition, it advises people to obey His
prophets and follow the path that they have shown, and announces
the good tidings that as people advance along the path, they
will live without fear or sorrow in this world and the world
to come (Qur'an, 7:35). The Qur'an informs us that God sends
prophets for one purpose:
We sent no Messenger except
to be obeyed by God's permission… (Qur'an, 4:64)
One of these worthy individuals is Prophet
Solomon (pbuh), a descendant of Prophet Noah (pbuh), who was
given sublime knowledge of the right path by God. In the Qur'an,
this command relating to Prophet Solomon (pbuh) is given:
… And before him We had guided
Noah. And among his descendants were David and Solomon, Job
and Joseph, and Moses and Aaron. That is how We recompense
the good-doers. (Qur'an, 6:84)
God sent Prophet Solomon (pbuh) to the Tribe
of Israel to warn them and instill fear in them:
We have revealed to you, just
as We revealed to Noah and the Prophets who came after him.
And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes,
Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And We gave David the
Psalms. (Qur'an, 4:163)
As this book explains, God bestowed a great
kingdom, incomparable wealth, a mighty army supported by jinns
and birds, and superior knowledge upon Prophet Solomon (pbuh).
He ruled justly throughout his life and, in his capacity as
an administrator and a judge, brought many societies under
his dominion. He was aware that God, Lord of the Worlds, is
the true possessor of all knowledge, riches, and dominion,
and so always turned to Him (Qur'an, 38:30), bowed to Him,
and submitted to Him.
This book will acquaint people with Prophet
Solomon (pbuh), whom God made superior to other human beings,
and analyze this chosen servant's exemplary moral qualities.
As we examine what the Qur'an says about him, we will see
that each of his qualities can be related to our own lives.
We will also study Prophet Solomon's (pbuh)
story for information about the End Times, a period during
which the Qur'an's moral teachings will prevail; all immorality,
oppression, cruelty, injustice, and degeneration of the past
eras will vanish; anxiety will be replaced by every kind of
blessing, abundance, wealth, beauty, peace, and well-being;
and technological developments will provide human beings with
happiness and comfort.
The hadiths contain many descriptions of
the End Times. For example, God will destroy all atheistic
philosophies and ideologies through the Mahdi, who will guide
humanity to the right path, and bring all cruelty and chaos
in the world to an end. The Mahdi's most important duty will
be to restore religion to its original form under our Prophet
(may God bless him and grant him peace), make the Qur'an's
moral teaching prevail, and establish global peace and well-being.
In the hadith below, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant
him peace) draws our attention to a quality that is shared
by the Mahdi, Prophet Solomon (pbuh), and Dhu'l-Qarnayn (pbuh):
The Mahdi will rule Earth, just like Dhu'l-Qarnayn
(pbuh) and Prophet Solomon (pbuh. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami,
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 29)
This hadith indicates that the Mahdi's rule
will be similar to that of Prophet Solomon (pbuh) and Dhu'l-Qarnayn
(pbuh). Therefore, we can gather important information about
the End Times and the ensuing Golden Age by examining the
Qur'anic accounts of Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) and Dhu'l-Qarnayn's
(pbuh) reigns. (For more details about the connection between
the time of Dhu'l-Qarnayn (pbuh) and the End Times, consult
Harun Yahya, Signs of the End Times in Surat al-Kahf [New
Delhi: Goodword Books, 2004].) Developments in science and
technology, as well as advances in economic and social life,
that will be enjoyed in the End Times will be very similar
to those mentioned in connection with Prophet Solomon (pbuh).
The Qur'anic account will allow believers to understand what
is happening in the world from a broader perspective, and
thereby open their horizons. One of this book's goals is to
encourage people to think about these good tidings of the
End Times and to share the joy and excitement that it will
bring.
- Prophet Solomon (pbuh)
- Prophet Solomon's (pbuh)
Superior Knowledge and Blessing
- Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) Mighty
Kingdom and Powerful Army
- Prophet Solomon's (pbuh)
Superior Moral Character
- Harut and Marut
- Prophet Solomon (pbuh) and
the Queen of Saba
- Prophet Solomon's (pbuh)
Death
- The Jinns and Animals under
Prophet Solomon's (pbuh) Command
- Similarites between Prophet
Solomon (pbuh) and Dhu'l-Qarnayn (pbuh)
- Two Administrations Described
in the Qur'an
- The End of Saba
- Prophet Solomon (pbuh) in the
Old Testament
- Similarities among Prophet
Solomon, Dhu'l-Qarnayn, and the Mahdi
- Conclusion
- The Jinns in the Qur'an
- Satan
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