Surah An-Naml 27:39
سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ · Meccan · Verse 39 of 93
قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌۭ
Translation
A powerful and crafty jinn replied, ‘I will bring it to you before you can even rise from your place. I am strong and trustworthy enough,’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This ayah opens a remarkable scene in the court of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), where he has just challenged his assembly to bring him the throne of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, before she arrives. The verse captures the immediate, confident response of a powerful entity.
The Mighty Speaker
The Quran tells us, "قالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ" (An ifrit from the jinn said). The word عِفْرِيتٌ (ifrit) itself is significant. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain that an *ifrit* is not just any Jinn, but one of exceptional strength, cunning, and might. It's described as "خبيث المنكر" (evil, monstrous) and "المارد" (rebellious, unruly) among the Jinn, or as Ibn Ashur notes, "the strong one who cannot be harmed or overcome." This specific word choice immediately tells us that the being making this offer is incredibly powerful and capable of extraordinary feats. The "أنا" (I) that follows, "أنا آتيك به" (I will bring it to you), further emphasizes this self-assured declaration. It's a bold assertion of personal ability.
A Specific Promise
The ifrit then specifies its promise: "قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ" (before you rise from your station). This isn't a vague promise, but a defined timeframe. Scholars like al-Jalalayn explain that "your station" refers to Sulayman's judgment seat, where he would sit from morning until midday. Imagine the immense distance between Sheba and Jerusalem; to transport a colossal throne within those few hours highlights the ifrit's extraordinary power and the divine enablement Sulayman possessed. The ifrit further reinforces its capability by declaring, "وإنِّي عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِيٌّ أَمِينٌ" (And indeed, I am strong for it, trustworthy). The "لَ" (laam) before "قويٌّ" (strong) adds emphasis, conveying absolute certainty, as highlighted by al-Jadwal in his grammatical analysis. This means the ifrit is not only powerful enough to carry the throne, but also "أمينٌ" (trustworthy) to deliver it perfectly, without any alteration or damage to its precious contents, as al-Muyassar and al-Razi mention.
What It Implies
This specific wording, emphasizing immense power, a tangible timeframe, and assured trustworthiness, sets the stage for the next verse. By presenting such a formidable offer, the Quran implicitly draws a contrast with what is to come. As Ibn Ashur points out, this dialogue subtly teaches us about the hierarchy of power and wisdom. The ifrit offers incredible speed based on its inherent strength, but a greater power, that of knowledge connected to divine wisdom, is yet to be revealed, showing us that even the mightiest physical strength has its limits compared to God-given knowledge and faith. This verse, therefore, is not just about the ifrit's boast, but also about appreciating the diverse forms of power Allah has created and subjected to His chosen servants like Sulayman.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Naml 27:39 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Naml 27:39 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.