Surah Saba – Abdul Rashid Ali Sufi

Saba (Sheba) is the 34th surah of the Quran. A Meccan surah of 54 verses in the twenty-second juz, it is counted 58th in the traditional order of revelation, after Luqman. Opening with praise of God, it contrasts the gratitude of David and Solomon with the ingratitude of the people of Sheba, and answers those who denied the Hour and the mission of the Prophet.

Name

The surah is named after the people of Saba' (Sheba) in southern Arabia (34:15–21). Blessed with two gardens and told to be grateful, they turned away, so God sent upon them "the flood of al-'Arim" (34:16), usually associated with the dam of Ma'rib, and scattered them. It is one of five surahs opening with "Praise be to God", with Al-Fatiha, Al-Anaam, Al-Kahf and Fatir.

Themes

• The Hour (34:1–9). To those who say it will never come, the Prophet replies: "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you" (34:3).
• David and Solomon (34:10–14). Mountains and birds echo David's praise and iron is softened for him; the wind and the jinn serve Solomon. "Work, O family of David, in gratitude, for few of My servants are grateful" (34:13). The jinn learn of Solomon's death only when a creature of the earth eats through his staff, proof that they do not know the unseen.
• The Prophet's mission (34:22–39). False gods own nothing, the Prophet is sent "to all people" (34:28), and wealth and children bring no one closer to God (34:37).
• A call to reflect (34:46). "Stand for God, in pairs or alone, then reflect: there is no madness in your companion; he is only a warner to you before a severe punishment."

In his commentary on this surah, al-Bukhari records how the Prophet gathered Quraysh on the hill of Safa and told them: "I am a warner to you before a severe punishment." David and Solomon also appear in Sad, and the Queen of Sheba in An-Naml.