The Quran has established the principles for the ideal state that Islam envisions through a historical and realistic model represented by the state of Prophet Sulaiman, peace be upon him. The Quran elaborates on its foundations in Surat An-Naml, where Allah the Almighty says, “And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, 'Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.'” (An-Naml: 15)
The following outlines the principles of building an ideal state in light of the story of Prophet Sulaiman, peace be upon him, summarized from the book “Tadhkirat al-du'ah” by Sheikh al-Bahi al-Khuli, may Allah have mercy on him.
1- Power and Knowledge:
A great kingdom is built upon two major and fundamental pillars: power and knowledge. Power encompasses physical strength, a large number of trained soldiers, and an abundance of weapons and machinery. Knowledge is the enlightenment of minds and hearts, and it is the means to understanding the laws of existence and the natural world to harness them for the state's benefit. This is beneficial knowledge.
The power in the story of Prophet Sulaiman, peace be upon him, is illustrated in the ayah: “And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.” (An-Naml: 17) Despite their numbers and crowding, they maintained their order and coordinated ranks, with no one advancing ahead of another or lagging behind. These soldiers, unparalleled in their diversity, instilled fear across all lands, even causing ants to fear them, as stated: “Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, 'O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.'” (An-Naml: 18) Another sign of this power is shown when Sulaiman said: “Return to them, for we will surely come to them with soldiers that they will be powerless to encounter, and we will surely expel them therefrom in humiliation, and they will be debased.” (An-Naml: 37)
The knowledge in this rising state is highlighted in the ayah: “And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.' And Solomon inherited David. He said, 'O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty.'” (An-Naml: 15-16) This knowledge encompasses all types of knowledge, as indicated by: “And we have been given from all things.”
The practical application of this knowledge in the state is the mastery of natural laws and forces to harness them for the state's benefits. This is evident when Sulaiman wanted to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba, using knowledge to achieve it. Allah says, “[Solomon] said, 'O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?' A powerful one from among the jinn said, 'I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy.' Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous.'” (An-Naml: 38-40)
2- Mission:
A state must have a noble mission to strive for and direct its power and knowledge toward. What is this mission in the esteemed Quranic state? The virtuous goal that the ideal state should live for and diligently work to achieve, without looking to anything else, is the oneness of Allah, gathering people to believe in Him alone, and purifying the earth from all defilement and polytheism so that the word of Allah is supreme and the religion is entirely for Allah.
This principle is practically demonstrated in the state of Prophet Sulaiman, peace be upon him, by the commitment to making people worship Allah. Allah says through the words of the hoopoe: “Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided - [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare - Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne.” (An-Naml: 23-26)
Prophet Sulaiman's role, peace be upon him, is to serve this same purpose, as he sent them a letter saying: “Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].'” (An-Naml: 30-31) He continued until their queen finally said: "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds." (An-Naml: 44)
3- The Supreme Leader's Faith and Care for Everything:
The state's system is complete when its supreme leader is knowledgeable of its purpose, believing in it, and working diligently towards it. Additionally, the leader must be alert, attentive, and oversee the affairs of his subjects, both small and large, and be firm in holding officials accountable. Without this, the coherence of the state's forces would dissolve, and its structure would unravel. This is practically applied in the ayah: “And he took attendance of the birds and said, 'Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent? I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization.'” (An-Naml: 20-21) This indicates thorough oversight and attention to the state's affairs. This example teaches us that attention to minor matters makes attention to major ones even more critical. A leader who is stringent and firm in accountability over seemingly trivial matters will not neglect to hold to account for significant mistakes.
4- The People's Faith in the State's Mission:
The people must believe in the state's purpose and dedicate themselves to it. Everything we have established becomes meaningless if the people deviate and direct their focus elsewhere.
In the story, we see the hoopoe taking pride in its duty and confidently addressing Sulaiman, saying: “I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.” (An-Naml: 22) This is not the speech of a negligent, guilty, and troubled individual but of a soldier who is pleased with himself and confident in fulfilling his duty. He is unafraid to speak to the greatest creature with the language of strong truth.
In contrast, we find that when people don’t believe in the state’s mission it only leads to passiveness and submission. Thus, when Queen Sheba gathered her people to consult them on the matter, they only responded with: “We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see what you will command.” (An-Naml: 33) They did not provide her with any reassuring opinion, which shows that such men cannot sustain a state.
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