03/08/2025
A Story from the Time of Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman)
One day, a bird came to Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) and said:
“O Solomon, I have discovered a buried city in the middle of the desert. Part of it has emerged from the sands, while the rest remains hidden beneath. Its buildings are made entirely of gold and silver!”
Intrigued, Solomon replied,
“Take me to it!”
So he summoned his vast army — humans, jinn, and even the four winds — and they all journeyed together until they reached the mysterious city.
Upon arrival, Solomon saw just a glimpse of its golden structures peeking through the desert sands. He commanded the winds to uncover it. Three of the winds refused — the north wind, the south wind, and the east wind — each with their own purpose:
The north wind brings cold,
The south wind brings rain,
And the east wind buries the earth.
Only the west wind obeyed — because it alone has the power to uncover what is buried. It blew strongly, sweeping away the sand until the entire golden city was revealed before their eyes.
Amazed by the sight, Solomon entered the city and came across a skull lying among the ruins. He picked it up and struck it gently, and to his surprise — it spoke.
Solomon asked, “Who are you?”
The skull replied:
“We were a nation to whom Allah sent a prophet from among us. He called us to worship Allah alone, but we refused. So Allah became angry with us and punished us!”
Solomon then asked, “And who are you specifically?”
The skull responded, “I was the king of this city.”
Solomon asked,
“Would you like me to bring you back to life?”
The skull answered,
“Must I taste the agony of death again — just as I did before?”
Solomon confirmed, “Yes.”
The skull replied,
“Then please, do not bring me back. Leave me in my death.”
So Solomon gently placed the skull back and exited the city. Then he commanded one of the three winds that had refused earlier — the east wind — to bury the city once again. And so, the city disappeared beneath the sands, hidden once more from the world.
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Questions & Answers (from the tale):
Which bird informed Solomon about the city?
→ The raven.
Which three winds refused to uncover the city, and why?
→ North wind (brings cold), South wind (brings rain), East wind (buries the earth).
Which wind helped uncover the city?
→ The West wind, because it digs and reveals what’s hidden.
Who were the people of the city?
→ The people of ‘Aad.
Who was their prophet?
→ Prophet Hud (peace be upon him).
How did Allah punish them?
→ With a fierce wind — the sarsar (piercing, icy wind) — for seven nights and eight days, until they were buried beneath the sands.
Where is this city located?
→ In the desert of Rub' al Khali (The Empty Quarter), also known as the “Shifting Sands.”
Which wind did Solomon command to rebury the city?
→ The East wind, because it buries the earth.