Al-Qur'an Surah An-Naml Verse 36

Mufti Taqi Usmani

So when he (the envoy) came to Sulaimān, he said, “Are you extending a financial aid to me? So what Allah has given me is much better than what He has given to you. But you yourselves are proud of your gift.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

When the chief-envoy came to him, Solomon said, “Do you offer me wealth? What Allah has granted me is far greater than what He has granted you. No! It is you who rejoice in ˹receiving˺ gifts.

Ruwwad Translation Center

When the envoy came to Solomon, he said, “Do you seek to appease me with wealth? What Allah has given me is far better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who take pleasure in gifts.

A. J. Arberry

But when he came to Solomon he said, 'What, would you succour me with wealth, and what God gave me is better than what He has given you? Nay, but instead you rejoice in your gift!

Abdul Haleem

When her envoy came to Solomon, Solomon said, ‘What! Are you offering me wealth? What God has given me is better than what He has given you, though you rejoice in this gift of yours.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Then when he came unto Sulaiman, he said: are ye going to add riches to me. Then that which Allah hath vouchsafed unto me is better than that which He hath vouchsafed unto you. Aye! it is ye who exult in your present.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said; "Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!

Abul Ala Maududi

Now, when (the envoy of the Queen) came to Solomon, he said: "Do you want to aid me with wealth? Whatever Allah has granted me is much more than what He has given you. (Keep for yourselves) your gift in which you are exulting.

Ahmed Ali

So, when the envoys came to Solomon he said: "Do you wish to increase my wealth? Yet what God has given me is better than what He has given you. No. Be gratified in your present.

Ahmed Raza Khan

So when the envoy came to Sulaiman, he said, “Are you helping me with wealth? What Allah has bestowed upon me is better than what He has given you; rather it is you who are delighted at your gift.”

Ali Quli Qarai

So when he came to Solomon, he said, ‘Are you aiding me with wealth? What Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Indeed, you are proud of your gift!

Ali Ünal

When he (the envoy with the present) came to Solomon, he (Solomon) said: "Do you mean to help me with wealth? What God has granted me (of Prophethood, kingdom, and wealth) is much more and better than all that He has given you. It is only (people such as) you who would rejoice in this gift of yours.

Amatul Rahman Omar

So when he (- the Queen´s envoy) came (with the present) to Solomon he (- Solomon) said, `Do you mean to help me with (your) wealth? Well, what Allâh has given me is far better than what He has given you. You seem to be rather proud of your gift.

English Literal

So when (he) came (to) Soliman, he said: "Do you extend/spread me with property/wealth ? So what God gave me, (is) better than what He gave you, but you with your present, you be happy ."268

Faridul Haque

So when the envoy came to Sulaiman, he said, “Are you helping me with wealth? What Allah has bestowed upon me is better than what He has given you; rather it is you who are delighted at your gift.”

Hamid S. Aziz

"But, verily, I am going to send to them a gift, and will wait to see with what answer the messengers return."

Hilali & Khan

So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaiman (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

Maulana Mohammad Ali

She said: Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low; and thus they do.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

So when he came to Sulaiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because of your present;

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

So when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.

Muhammad Sarwar

When her Messengers came to Soloman, he said, "Have you brought me wealth? What God has given to me is far better than what He has given to you, but you are happy with your gifts.

Qaribullah & Darwish

But when he came to Solomon, he said: 'Is it wealth that you would give me, when Allah has given me that which is better than He has given to you? No, but instead you rejoice in your gift!

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

So, when (the messengers with the gift) came to Sulayman, he said: "Will you help me in wealth What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

Wahiduddin Khan

So when [the envoy] came to Solomon he said, "What! Are you offering me wealth? But that which God has given me is better than that which He has given you. Yet you rejoice in your gift.

Talal Itani

When he came to Solomon, he said, “Are you supplying me with money? What God has given me is better than what He has given you. It is you who delight in your gift.

Tafsir jalalayn

But when he, the envoy, came to Solomon, with the gift and the servants, he said, `Are you supplying me with wealth? What God has given me, of prophethood and kingship, is better than what He has given you, of [the things of] this world. Nay, but it is you [and not I] who exult in your gift, for you pride yourselves upon [the possession of] the ornaments of this world!

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Gift and the Response of Sulayman

Allah tells;

فَلَمَّا جَاء سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ

So, when (the messengers with the gift) came to Suleiman, he said;

More than one of the scholars of Tafsir among the Salaf and others stated that she sent him a huge gift of gold, jewels, pearls and other things.

It is apparent that Suleiman, peace be upon him, did not even look at what they brought at all and did not pay any attention to it, but he turned away and said, rebuking them;

أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ

"Will you help me in wealth!"

meaning, `are you trying to flatter me with wealth so that I will leave you alone with your Shirk and your kingdom!'

فَمَا اتَانِيَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا اتَاكُم

What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you!

means, `what Allah has given to me of power, wealth and troops, is better than that which you have.'

بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ



Nay, you rejoice in your gift!

means, `you are the ones who are influenced by gifts and presents; we will accept nothing from you except Islam or the sword.