QURAN APPRECIATION SPRING 2021 OUTLINE
STORY OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA
SŪRAT AL-NAML VERSES 29-34, 41-44
1st Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verses 29-31 – The queen of Sheba receives a letter from Prophet Sulaymān (a). Inviting others to the truth. Ways of conveying a message. (Connecting Verses – 3:104, 12:108, 16:125, 41:33)
Your messenger is the interpreter of your intelligence while your letter is more eloquent in expressing your true self (Nahjul Balagha, Saying 301)
2nd Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verse 32– The queen of Sheba seeks consultation from the chiefs in her court. Consultation in Islam. (Connecting Verse – 3:159)
He who acts solely according to his own opinion gets ruined, and he who consults other people shares in their understanding – Nahjul Balagha Saying 161
3rd Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verse 33 – The chiefs provide their input to the queen of Sheba. Respect of authority. (Connecting Verse – 42:38)
4th Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verse 34-35 – The foresight and planning of the queen of Sheba. Wisdom and Intelligence.
Success is the result of foresight and resolution, foresight depends upon deep thinking and planning and the most important factor of planning is to keep your secrets to yourself – Nahjul Balagha Saying 48
5th Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verse 41-42 – The throne of the queen is brought to Nabi Sulayman (A), the queen’s calculated answer.
Submission to Allah’s Will is the best companion; wisdom is the noblest heritage; theoretical and practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem – Nahjul Balagha Saying 4
6th Session – Sūrat al-Naml Verse 43-44 – The confession of the queen of Sheba (Connecting Verse – 28:16, 12:97)
He who is bestowed four things is not disallowed four things: he who is allowed to pray is not deprived of the response to it; he who is allowed to offer repentance is not deprived of its acceptance; he who is allowed to seek forgiveness is not deprived of forgiveness; and he who is allowed to be grateful is not deprived of furtherance of favours – Nahjul Balagha Saying 135
Connecting Topics:
- Invitation towards truth 2) Team work 3) Collaboration 4) Communication 5) Inclusivity 6) Positive/Negative Influences