Why did the ant stop the armies of Prophet Sulayman?

Imagine the earth trembling beneath the feet of an army the likes of which humanity has never seen.

An army in which not only humans march, but also mankind.

And the jinn, and birds fly above them in an amazing formation.

As if the sky and the earth have become a single army under the command of a Prophet-King.

He is Sulayman, son of Dawud, peace be upon them both, before we begin our journey through the pages of history.

Do not forget to send prayers and peace upon our master Muhammad ﷺ.

Now, let us go back in time.

A Prophet to whom Allah gave a great kingdom, taught him the language of birds, subjected the wind to him, and made some of the jinn work before him.

So they built for him places of worship, statues, huge basins, and firmly set cauldrons.

And with all this majestic kingdom, this great authority, and armies that cannot be matched.

Something amazing happens, something that if the Quran had not mentioned it, people would think it was fantasy: a small ant.

You are witnessing a scene that dazzles the eyes: an entire valley of ants, a mighty army approaching, and the danger does not require a sword or a spear.

Just a single step from an unaware soldier could mean the end for hundreds of ants, and here the ant steps forward.

She does not run away alone, she does not save herself, she does not say: myself, myself.

Instead, she gives an everlasting call, mentioned by Allah in His Book, as He, the Exalted, said: until they came upon the valley of the ants.

An ant said: O ants, enter your homes so that Sulayman and his soldiers do not crush you while they are unaware.

Pause here for a moment. The amazing thing is not just that an ant spoke.

And it's not only amazing that Sulayman understood her words.

Rather, the greatest wonder is in the meaning of her words.

First, she called out to her people.

O ants, this is the call of a leader who feels responsible.

Not the call of a creature afraid only for itself.

Then she commanded them to save themselves. Enter your homes; she didn't say, run in every direction.

Because random fleeing could increase destruction.

Rather, she guided them to the safety of a place they knew—their homes.

Then she explained the reason: so that Sulayman and his soldiers do not crush you.

And the Quran chose the word "crush you," as if the small bodies of the ants in front of the soldiers' feet are like fine glass that could be shattered without anyone noticing.

Then came the word that reveals the justice of Prophet Sulayman—they are unaware; she did not accuse him of injustice, nor did she describe him as harsh.

She did not say: Sulayman and his soldiers will destroy us on purpose.

Rather, she said: If harm happens, it will be unintentional.

Here the true awe of Sulayman appears; his awe is not just in the number of his soldiers, nor in his control over the wind, jinn, and birds.

But in the fact that his justice reached such a level that even an ant in a distant valley testifies to it.

Sulayman, peace be upon him, heard her words.

Yes, he heard a voice that kings do not hear.

And he understood a language that humans do not understand.

And at that moment, he did not see the ant as an insignificant creature, nor did he consider her people as something unworthy of attention.

Rather, he smiled, he smiled in amusement at her words, he smiled at her wisdom.

He smiled at her intelligence, he smiled at her mercy towards her people.

But he did not stop at just smiling.

For the true Prophet, when he sees Allah's blessing upon him, does not become arrogant but gives thanks.

That is why he said: My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents.

And that I do righteous deeds that please You, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants.

Here the story reaches its climax.

So Sulayman did not say: I am the one who understands the language of the ants, nor did he say: I am the one who possesses the kingdom and authority.

Rather, he said: My Lord, attributing the favor to the One who grants favor.

And he knew that the greatest thing a person can be given is not kingship, nor status, nor the strength of armies.

Rather, it is to be guided to show gratitude for blessings, to do righteous deeds, and to enter the mercy of Allah. Glory be to the One who taught Sulayman the language of birds and ants.

Glory be to the One who made from a small ant an everlasting lesson.

It remains as long as night and day continue.