The plan was to announce my New Year’s Resolution in today’s blog. But, for various reasons, I got distracted. Met a man at the breakfast bar the other morning, I think he said his name was the Arabic version of Solomon Ever vigilant, Googled the name.
Vigilant is perhaps not the right word. Its meaning is keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. The origin if the word is spot on: late 15th century: from Latin vigilant- ‘keeping awake’, from the verb vigilare, from vigil
I am keeping awake, that’s what is happening. Spot on!!! It is a British adjective,, meaning accurate, perfect, as to hit the nail on the head, bang on. I keep awake to hit the nail on the head, that is easy enough to understand.
Wikipedia has a lengthy article on Solomon in the Islamic Faith but requests readers to edit it – saying that there are not the proper references. I do understand what they are saying. Nonetheless I shall quote from it. Perhaps I could edit it later as I am aware of many sources..
“Sulaimān ibn Dāwūd (Arabic: سُلَيْمَان بْن دَاوُوْد, lit. ’Solomon, son of David’) was, according to the Quran, a malik (مَلِك, lit. ’king’) and nabī (نَبِيّ, lit. ’prophet’) of the Israelites. Generally, Islamic tradition holds that he was the third king of Israel and a wise rule In Islam, Solomon is regarded as one of the prophets of God who was bestowed with many divine gifts, including the ability to speak to both animals and djinn; he is also said to have enslaved the shayāṭīn (شياطين, lit. ’devils’) and the dīv (دیو, lit. ’demons’) with the support of a staff or ring given to him by God. Muslims further maintain that he remained a faithful monotheist throughout his life; reigned justly over the whole of the Israelite nation; was blessed with a level of kingship that was given to none before him nor after him; and fulfilled all of his commandments, being promised nearness to God in Jannah (جَنّة, lit. ’Paradise’) at the end of his life.[3] Since the rise of Islam,various Muslim historians have regarded Solomon as one of the greatest rulers in history.”
Wikipedia continues with citing the Quran, speaking of the immense power of Solomon.
“In the earliest narrative involving Sulaiman, the Quran (21:78) briefly alludes to a story that Sulaiman was in the company of his father, when two men came to ask David to judge between them regarding a ḥarth (حَرْث, field).[5] Later Muslim commentators expanded on the allusion, including Al-Tabari, Baidawi, and Ibn Kathir.[6][7][8] They said that the first of the two men said that he owned a vineyard of which he took great care the whole year through. But one day, when he was absent, the other man’s sheep had strayed into the vineyard and devoured the grapes. He asked to be compensated for this damage.[9]: 62 Upon hearing the man’s complaint, Solomon suggested that the owner of the sheep take the other man’s vineyard to repair and cultivate until the vines returned to their former state, whereupon he should return it to its owner. At the same time, the owner of the vineyard would care for the sheep and benefit from their wool and milk until his land was returned to him, at which point he would return the sheep to their owner. This response shows Solomon’s level of judgment, which, the Quran says,[10] would characterize Sulaiman throughout his life. Ḥikmah (Wisdom), according to Muslim tradition, would always be associated with Solomon, who would later even be referred to as Sulaimān al-Ḥakīm (سُلَيْمَان ٱلْحَكِيْم, “Sulaiman the Wise”). This story is adapted in the Kebra Nagast, but as a dispute adjudicated by a son of Sulaiman.”
Wikipedia goes on to speak of what seemed, to me, to be a totally bizarre topic, Solomon and the Demons.
“The Quran narrates that the wind was made subservient to Solomon,[11] and he could control it at his own will, and that the jinn also came under Solomon’s control. The jinn helped strengthen Solomon’s reign. The devils (shayatin),[12] and demons were forced building for him monuments.[13] God also caused a miraculous ʿayn (عَيْن, ‘fount’ or ‘spring’) of molten qiṭr (قِطْر, ‘brass’ or ‘copper’) to flow for Solomon, to be used by the Jinns in their construction.[11]When David died, Solomon inherited his position as the prophetic king of the Israelites. He was tried by God and had a body placed on his throne. He repented and prayed to God to grant him a kingdom which would be unlike any after him.[14] God accepted Solomon’s prayer and gave him what he pleased. There is no explanation offered in the Qur’an, but there is an authentic hadith that references Solomon saying each of his wives will give birth to a boy that will struggle in the cause of God, but forgetting to say “God willing”. Because of this, none of his wives gave birth to a child except one that gave birth to an incomplete baby.[15] This could be the body placed on his throne mentioned in the Quran.”
Hmmmm. Inshallah is most important. I must always remember to say it. I would not want to have an incomplete baby, particularly at my advanced age. Inshallah.
Wikipedia speaks of differences of opinion, of knowledge and all of that. Misinformation did exist, even way back then. Hahaha
Unlike the Talmudic tradition, Solomon was unaware and never participated in idolatry.[18] Further, the Quran rejects that Solomon was a magician: “Never did Solomon disbelieve, rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people…” (2:102)
Fortunately Wikipedia went onto bigger and better things. The Queen of Sheba. This is rather frightening , for the simple reason that people have often referred to me as the Queen of Sheba.
Alter Ego: Really Alexis. Are you sure?
Me: Most sure, You know I always tell the truth.
Alter Ego: Yes. But occasionally you exaggerate.
Me: Not in this instance.
“Solomon ordered the Hud-hud to give the letter to the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), and then to hide and observe her reaction.[9]: 64 The Hud-hud accepted Solomon’s orders, and flew straight back to Sheba to deliver the letter to the Queen. The Queen then called her ministers to court and read aloud to them the letter from Solomon stating to the people of Sheba: “In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me, fully submitting (Muslimīn مُسْلِمِيْن)].” She took counsel with her ministers and other court officials, saying “O chiefs! Advise me in this matter of mine, for I would never make any decision without you.” The people of the court replied: “We are a people of strength and great ˹military˺ might, but the decision is yours, so decide what you will command.” At length, however, the Queen came to Solomon, announcing her submission to God.”
One most definitely has to say that Solomon met his match with the Queen of Sheba, with the intervention of Allah (SWT) of course.
Wikipedia supplies references to the Quran.
- Appraisals for Solomon: 2:102, 6:84, 21:81-82, 27:15-16, 27:18-23, 27:36-39, 27:44, 34:12-13, 38:30-31, 38:35-40
- Solomon’s preaching: 4:163, 27:25, 27:31, 27:44
- Solomon judged: 21:78-79
- Fitnah to Solomon: 38:32-34
- Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: 27:28-31, 27:34-44
- The Kingdom of Sheba: 27:23, 34:15, 34:18
- Solomon’s death: 34:14
Not sure that this was particularly enlightening with regard to the man met at the breakfast bar. I distinctly remember he said he lived in Riyadh and that if I came there, he would show me around. At the time had no plans to return to Riyadh but then two completely unrelated events occurred.
We shall now return to my February 7, 2023 blog, I Guess I will put it in quotes, even if I am quoting myself.
“While in the midst of writing this blog, the myth of my rather ordinary life was dealt a blow. I received an Instagram voice message from a man I sat next to on a Saudi airline. Our communication a bit limited as I only speak English, he did not. But we were able to become friends on Instagram. He is a world famous jockey, Ahmed A. Al-Shrar. Me: So good to see your victories! I thought we had lost touch with each other. Yeah for you. 😀😃😎 He: (voice message in English) Thank you! Thank you! I like it. Thank you. Me: You are welcome. You are welcome! Thank you! Bye now. He: 😍😍🤣🤣🙏❤️ I sent him the selfie of he and I. His most recent photo shows a most happy group of Arab men and boys with the following information. Winner: MezionnaOwner: Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud A-Sabah. Distance: 1600 m.
The February 7, 2023 blog went on to say:
“It was on my Umrah pilgrimage, flying between Riyadh and Jeddah, when I met a world famous jockey, he remembered me and we exchange voice messages and emojis. That is not exactly ordinary for an almost eighty year old woman born in Saskatchewan. So much for the calm of the ordinary life.”
Ahmed A. Al-Shran and I have continued our Instagram correspondence. This from
Me: You are looking great
He: Thank you very much Yes. That is my victory yesterday in Saudi Arabia the city of Riyadh
Me: Wonderful. Yeah you.
He: Thank you
Me: You are amazing and you gave up your sear for me
He Yes yes
Me: I love seeing your successes WOW Maschallah
He: How wonderful
Me: I will see you soon in Riyadh
He: Yes. There is a race every weekend in Riyadh
Me: Wow Maschallah For how many weeks or months Inshallah. We may meet again.
Then yesterday I met a woman at breakfast. She was utterly amazing and interesting. She from Lebanon, met her husband in Germany, He of the Faith, she converted. They have four grown children – all educated and accomplished, some with families. She has a huge presence Riyadh. I have her number. But she is excessively busy and It is doubtful she would have any time for me. We shall see. Inshallah.
Last evening, after my ‘birthday’ celebration at the Catina which you shall hear more about I met two young Saudi men from Riyadh. Most interesting. One asked me what I thought of Saudi Arabia, videoing my thoughts. No idea what he will do with it. I guess I should have asked. Hahaha He left me his number. Guess I can call and ask him. I think I will.
I shall go where Allah (SWT) guides me.
Photos of my rather unreal celebration and a reel. No one could possibly every doubt that I lead an interesting life. Hahaha
