Page 135 - Perished Nations

Sulayman's (as) Palace

In the chapters and verses that refer to the Queen of Saba, the Prophet
Sulayman (as) is also mentioned. While it is told in the Qur’an that he has
a magnificent palace and kingdom, many other details are also given.
According to these, Sulayman (as) had the most advanced technology
of his day. In his palace were striking pieces of art and other valuable ob-
jects, which impressed all those who saw them. The floor at the entrance
of the palace was made of glass. The Qur’an describes this palace and its
effects on the Queen of Saba in the following verses:
She 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 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 Sulayman, to the Lord of the Worlds." (Surat an-Naml: 44)
Prophet Sulayman’s (as) palace is called "Solomon’s Temple" in Jewish
literature. Today, only the "Western Wall" of the so called temple or pala-
ce stands and this is the place named "The Wailing Wall" by the Jews. The
reason why this palace as well as many other places in Jerusalem were la-
ter demolished, is because of the mischievous and arrogant conduct of
subsequent Jews. The Qur’an informs us about this as follows:
And We gave (Clear) Warning to the Children of Israel in the Book, that
twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arro-
gance (and twice would they be punished)! When the first of the warnings
came to pass, We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare:
They entered the very inmost parts of your homes; and it was a warning
(completely) fulfilled. (Surat al-Isra: 4-5)
Then did We grant you the Return as against them: We gave you increase
in resources and sons, and made you the more numerous in man-power.
If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against
yourselves. So when the second of the warnings came to pass, (We permit-
ted your enemies) to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they
had entered it before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their po-
wer. (Surat al-Isra: 6-7)
All the people described in the previous chapters deserved punishment
because of their rebellion and ingratitude for Allah's favours, and therefo-

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