22. No Political Confrontation
The Quran recounts the story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), who was a contemporary of Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) and governed the coastal region of Yemen. The Quran explains that Solomon’s messenger—a hud-hud (hoopoe bird)—flew from Palestine to Yemen and returned with news about her and her people. Solomon then sent a letter through the same bird. The Quran recounts the exchange as follows: (Solomon said): “‘Go with this letter of mine and lay it before them, then withdraw from them and see how they respond.’ The Queen of Sheba said, ‘O Counsellors, an honourable letter has been delivered to me. It is from Solomon. It reads, “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, do not exalt yourselves above me, but come to me in all submission.” Now advise me in this, Counsellors. I never decide any affair till I have conferred with you.’ They said, ‘We are strong and our prowess in battle is great, but the decision is in your hands, so consider what you will command.’ She said, ‘Surely, when mighty kings invade a country, they despoil it and humiliate its noblest inhabitants—these men will do the same.’” (Quran, 27:28-34)
Through these verses, the Quran conveys—through the words of a wise woman—the principle of sound political conduct. When a conflict arises between two political groups, one relatively weak and the other considerably more powerful, the wiser course is to avoid confrontation. Such a clash generally ends in the one-sided destruction of the weaker party. The consequences are not limited to the opposing armies killing one another. Innocent people also lose their lives, and people of dignity and social standing are humiliated.
According to the verse, the Queen of Sheba believed that even if Solomon and his forces entered her kingdom, the same destruction and humiliation would follow. The Quran records her words: “these men will do the same.” (27:34) In such circumstances, the right policy is the one adopted by the Queen of Sheba in dealing with Solomon: to avoid confrontation and safeguard the interests of her people through reconciliation.
