One day he became preoccupied with beautiful horses, until the night fell.
إِذ عُرِضَ عَلَيهِ بِالعَشِىِّ الصّٰفِنٰتُ الجِيادُ
iz ‘urida ‘alaihi bil’ashiy yis saafinaatul jiyaad
One day he became preoccupied with beautiful horses, until the night fell.
إِذ عُرِضَ عَلَيهِ بِالعَشِىِّ الصّٰفِنٰتُ الجِيادُ
iz ‘urida ‘alaihi bil’ashiy yis saafinaatul jiyaad
He then said, “I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone.*
فَقالَ إِنّى أَحبَبتُ حُبَّ الخَيرِ عَن ذِكرِ رَبّى حَتّىٰ تَوارَت بِالحِجابِ
faqaala inneee ahbabtu hubbal khairi ‘an zikri Rabbee hattaa tawaarat bilhijaab
*38:32 Solomon missed his afternoon prayer because of his horses. To nullify Satan’s possible claim that Solomon loved his horses more than loving God, he got rid of his horses.
“Bring them back.” (To bid farewell,) he rubbed their legs and necks.
رُدّوها عَلَىَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسحًا بِالسّوقِ وَالأَعناقِ
ruddoohaa ‘alaiya fa tafiqa mas-ham bissooqi wal a’naaq
We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.*
وَلَقَد فَتَنّا سُلَيمٰنَ وَأَلقَينا عَلىٰ كُرسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنابَ
wa laqad fatannaa Sulaimaana wa alqainaa ‘alaa kursiyyihee jasadan summa anaab
*38:34 & 41 Solomon and Job represent both ends of the testing spectrum. We are put to the test through wealth, health, or lack of them, to see if we worship God alone under all circumstances.
He said, “My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingship never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor.”
قالَ رَبِّ اغفِر لى وَهَب لى مُلكًا لا يَنبَغى لِأَحَدٍ مِن بَعدى إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الوَهّابُ
qaala Rabbigh fir lee wa hab lee mulkal laa yambaghee li ahadin min ba’dee innaka Antal Wahhaab
We (answered his prayer and) committed the wind at his disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted.
فَسَخَّرنا لَهُ الرّيحَ تَجرى بِأَمرِهِ رُخاءً حَيثُ أَصابَ
fa sakharnaa lahur reeha tajree bi amrihee rukhaaa’an haisu asaab
And the devils, building and diving.
وَالشَّيٰطينَ كُلَّ بَنّاءٍ وَغَوّاصٍ
wash Shayaateena kulla bannaaa’inw wa ghawwaas
Others were placed at his disposal.
وَءاخَرينَ مُقَرَّنينَ فِى الأَصفادِ
wa aakhareena muqarraneena fil asfaad
“This is our provision to you; you may give generously, or withhold, without limits.”
هٰذا عَطاؤُنا فَامنُن أَو أَمسِك بِغَيرِ حِسابٍ
haazaa ‘ataaa’unaa famnun aw amsik bighairi hisaab
He has deserved an honorable position with us, and a wonderful abode.
وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنا لَزُلفىٰ وَحُسنَ مَـٔابٍ
wa inna lahoo ‘indanaa lazulfaa wa husna ma-aab