Page 684 - An Index to the Qur'an

cannot, there is three days’ fast on pilgrimage give me wealth when what Allah has given me is
and seven on your return–that is ten in all. That is better than what He has given you? No, rather it
for anyone whose family does not live near the is you who delight in your gift. Return to them.
Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). Have fear of We will come to them with troops they cannot
Allah and know that Allah is fierce in retribution. face and we will expel them from it abased and
(2:196) humiliated.’ (27:36-37)
He said, ‘Council! Who among you will bring
SHAYTAN (SEE SATAN) me her throne before they come to me in submis-
sion?’ (27:38)
SHEBA A demon of the jinn said, ‘I will bring it to you
However, it was not long delayed, and then it before you get up from your seat. I am strong and
(hoopoe) said, ‘I have comprehended something trustworthy enough to do it.’ (27:39)
you have not and bring you accurate intelligence He who possessed knowledge of the Book said, ‘I
from Sheba. I found a woman ruling over them will bring it to you before your glance returns to
who has been given everything. She possesses a you.’ And when he saw it standing firmly in his
mighty throne. I found both her and her people presence, he said, ‘This is part of my Lord's
prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. Satan has favour to test me to see if I will give thanks or
made their actions seem good to them and de- show ingratitude. Whoever gives thanks only
barred them from the Way so they are not guided does so to his own gain. Whoever is ungrateful,
and do not prostrate to Allah, Who brings out my Lord is Rich Beyond Need, Generous.’
what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and (27:40)
knows what you conceal and what you divulge. He said, ‘Disguise her throne. We shall see
Allah–there is no god but Him–the Lord of the whether she is guided or someone who is not
Mighty Throne.’ (27:22-26) guided.’ (27:41)
He (Sulayman) said, ‘We will soon see if you Then when she came, she was asked, ‘Is your
have told the truth or are a liar. Take this letter of throne like this?’ She said, ‘It is exactly like it.’
mine and deliver it to them and then withdraw ‘We were given knowledge before her and were
from them a little and see how they respond.’ already Muslims, but what she worshipped be-
(27:27-28) sides Allah impeded her. She was from an unbe-
She said, ‘Council! A noble letter has been deliv- lieving people.’ (27:42-43)
ered to me. It is from Sulayman and says: "In the She was told: ‘Enter the courtyard,’ but when she
name of Allah, All-Merciful, Most Merciful. Do saw it she supposed it to be a pool and bared her
not rise up against me, but come to me in sub- legs. He said, ‘It is a courtyard paved with glass.’
mission."’ (27:29-31) She said, ‘My Lord, I have wronged myself but I
She said, ‘Council! Give me your opinion about have submitted with Sulayman to the Lord of all
this matter. It is not my habit to make a final deci- the worlds.’ (27:44)
sion until I have heard what you have to say.’
(27:32) SHEEP
They said, ‘We possess strength and we possess There are eight in pairs: A pair of sheep and a
great force. But the matter is in your hands so pair of goats–Say: ‘Is it the two males He has
consider what you command.’ (27:33) made forbidden, or the two females, or what the
She said, ‘When kings enter a city, they lay waste wombs of the two females contain? Tell me with
to it and make its mightiest inhabitants the most knowledge if you are being truthful.’ (6:143)
abased. That is what they too will do. I will send We made forbidden for the Jews every animal
them a gift and then wait and see what the mes- with an undivided hoof, and in respect of cattle
sengers bring back.’ (27:34-35) and sheep, We made their fat forbidden for them,
When it reached Sulayman he said, ‘Would you except what is attached to their backs or guts or
682