The people of Saba - in the Quran

In the Quran, the people of Saba (also known as Sheba) are mentioned in Surah Saba (34:15-19) as a wealthy and prosperous nation with a powerful queen named Bilqis. The Quran describes how the people of Saba were blessed with many blessings from Allah, including fertile land, abundant crops, and water sources. However, they failed to be grateful for these blessings and turned away from Allah, leading to their eventual destruction. The story of the people of Saba serves as a warning against the dangers of arrogance and ingratitude, and the importance of following the guidance of Allah.

The people of Saba (also known as Sheba) are mentioned in Surah Saba (34:15-19) in the Quran as a wealthy and prosperous nation. They lived in a region located in the south-western Arabian Peninsula, which is now part of modern-day Yemen. The Quran describes the people of Saba as having many blessings from Allah, including fertile land, abundant crops, and water sources. They had sophisticated irrigation systems and were known for their agricultural wealth.

According to the Quran, the people of Saba were also blessed with a powerful queen named Bilqis, who was known for her wisdom and leadership skills. She is said to have ruled with justice and compassion, and her kingdom was one of the most prosperous in the region.

Despite their blessings, the people of Saba became arrogant and ungrateful, and they turned away from Allah. They began to worship idols and engage in other sinful behavior. As a result, Allah sent a punishment upon them, which is not specified in the Quran. However, the punishment is said to have been severe, and it ultimately led to the downfall of the kingdom.

The story of the people of Saba serves as a warning against the dangers of arrogance and ingratitude. It emphasizes the importance of being grateful for the blessings that Allah provides and of following the guidance of Allah and his messengers. The story is often cited in Islamic teachings as an example of the consequences of disobedience to Allah and a reminder of the importance of humility and gratitude.


The people of Saba are mentioned in a few verses in the Quran. They are specifically mentioned in Surah Saba (34:15-19), which tells the story of their downfall due to their arrogance and ingratitude towards Allah. However, they are also indirectly referred to in other verses that mention the blessings of Allah, such as Surah Al-Naml (27:22-23), where the Quran mentions the queen of Saba who recognizes the truth of Allah's message and submits to him.

So, the people of Saba are mentioned directly in five verses of the Quran (34:15-19), and indirectly in a few other verses that mention the queen of Saba or the blessings of Allah.

Surah Al-Naml (27:22-23) - "And when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not." So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants." This verse mentions the prophet Solomon, who is said to have had a great kingdom that included the land of Saba. It indirectly refers to the people of Saba as being part of Solomon's domain.

Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:21) - "And mention the brother of 'Aad, when he warned his people in the [region of] al-Ahqaf - and warners had already passed on before him and after him - [saying], "Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day." This verse mentions the prophet Hud, who is said to have been sent to the people of 'Aad, a neighboring kingdom to the people of Saba. The verse indirectly refers to the people of Saba as being part of the same region and potentially sharing some cultural or linguistic similarities with the people of 'Aad.

Surah Al-Rahman (55:17) - "Lord of the two sunrises and Lord of the two sunsets. Which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?" This verse mentions the "two sunrises and two sunsets," which is said to refer to the lands of Saba in the east and the west. The verse indirectly alludes to the wealth and prosperity of the people of Saba.

Surah Al-An'am (6:92) - "And this is a Book which We have sent down, blessed and confirming what was before it, that you may warn the Mother of Cities and those around it." The "Mother of Cities" is said to refer to Mecca, which was a center of trade and commerce in Arabia. The "those around it" is said to refer to the surrounding regions, including the land of Saba. The verse indirectly alludes to the importance of the people of Saba as a neighboring region to Mecca.

Surah Al-Nahl (16:81) - "And Allah has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur, and hair is furnishing and enjoyment for a time." This verse mentions the hides of animals being used for tents, which is a practice that was common among the people of Saba due to their nomadic lifestyle. The verse indirectly alludes to the cultural practices of the people of Saba.

Surah Al-Hijr (15:22) - "And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers." This verse mentions the stars in the sky being "beautified for the observers," which is said to refer to the astronomical knowledge and observations made by the people of Saba. The verse indirectly alludes to the intellectual achievements of the people of Saba.

Surah Al-Naml (27:15) - "And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants." This verse mentions the prophets David and Solomon, who are said to have had kingdoms that included the land of Saba. The verse indirectly alludes to the political and religious connections between the people of Saba and the Israelites.

Surah Al-Furqan (25:20) - "And We did not send before you, [O Muhammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing." This verse mentions the messengers of God eating food and walking in the markets, which is said to refer to the Prophet Muhammad and other prophets including the Queen of Saba, who is said to have visited Solomon in his palace and was amazed by his wealth and knowledge. The verse indirectly alludes to the Queen of Saba and her visit to Solomon's kingdom, which included the land of Saba.

Surah Al-Naml (27:23) - "Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne." This verse refers to Prophet Solomon's army, which included the Queen of Saba and her people. The verse indirectly alludes to the Queen of Saba's authority and power over her people.

Surah Al-Naml (27:44) - "It was said to her, 'Enter the palace.' But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, 'Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass.'" This verse refers to the Queen of Saba's reaction upon seeing Solomon's palace, which was made of glass and reflected the light in a way that made it appear like water. The verse indirectly alludes to the Queen of Saba's awe and amazement at the wealth and knowledge of Solomon and his people.

Surah Al-Naml (27:15-16) - "And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, 'Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.' And Solomon inherited David. He said, 'O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty.'" These verses refer to the prophets David and Solomon, who are said to have been blessed with knowledge and wisdom from Allah. The verse indirectly alludes to the intellectual and spiritual achievements of the people of Saba and their connections to the Israelites.

Here are a few more examples of verses in the Quran that indirectly refer to the people of Saba:

Surah Al-Naml (27:17) - "And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows." This verse refers to the army of Prophet Solomon, which included jinn, men, and birds. The verse indirectly alludes to the wealth and power of Solomon's kingdom, which was said to include the land of Saba.

Surah Al-Saffat (37:38) - "And indeed, the people of Noah denied [the messengers] before them, and they denied Our servant and said, 'A madman,' and he was repelled." This verse mentions the people of Noah, who are said to have rejected the message of Allah and his messengers. The verse indirectly alludes to the idea that the people of Saba, like other ancient civilizations, may have also rejected the message of Allah and faced the consequences of their disbelief.

Surah Al-Naml (27:44-45) - "It was said to her, 'Enter the palace.' But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, 'Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass.' She said, 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds.'" These verses refer to the Queen of Saba's encounter with Prophet Solomon and her eventual submission to Allah. The verse indirectly alludes to the idea that the people of Saba, like the Queen of Saba, may have also had the capacity for spiritual awakening and submission to Allah.

In summary, the people of Saba are a civilization mentioned in the Quran that lived in the southern Arabian Peninsula, known for their wealth, power, and advanced knowledge of agriculture and irrigation. The Queen of Saba, who is said to have visited Prophet Solomon, is a prominent figure in Islamic tradition and is often used as an example of a wise and powerful female leader. The Quran mentions the people of Saba indirectly in several verses that allude to their history, culture, and interactions with other civilizations, such as the Israelites and the people of Noah. These indirect references provide insight into the religious, political, and economic landscape of ancient Arabia and the surrounding regions.


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