The Ant (an-Naml)

As Solomon's vast armies — of jinn, humans and birds — were crossing a valley, an ant warned her kind: enter your homes, lest Solomon and his armies crush you without realising it. Solomon heard her words and understood them, smiling in gratitude to God. A small creature full of wisdom and compassion for her kind.

Solomon had been given by God a rare gift: understanding the language of animals, and commanding wondrous armies of jinn, humans and birds marching in orderly ranks.

One day as these great armies crossed the Valley of the Ants, an ant saw the danger coming. She called to her kind: 'O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his armies crush you without realising.' A detail worth noting: she did not attribute harmful intent to Solomon; she said 'without realising,' sparing him from accusation of ill will.

Solomon heard and understood the words. Instead of pride, he smiled and was moved. He did not puff himself up with his greatness, but turned to God with a beautiful prayer: 'Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your blessings which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that please You.'

This brief story is extremely rich. The ant showed responsibility (protecting her kind) and fairness in speech: she said Solomon would crush them 'without realising,' not attributing harmful intent to him — a beautiful lesson in not thinking ill of others. Solomon's reaction is extraordinary: a mighty king moved by an ant's words, and instead of boasting of his power he thanks God. True greatness lies in gratitude, not pride. Details some commentators added (the ant's name, extended dialogue with Solomon) are not in the Quranic text.

The ant teaches that wisdom and care for others are not the preserve of the great: the smallest creature cared for its kind with wisdom and fairness. The scene on Solomon's side also teaches that great gifts must lead to thanking God, not to arrogance.

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Lorsqu'ils s'engagèrent dans la vallée des fourmis, l'une d'elles dit : « Fourmis ! Regagnez votre nid, car Salomon et ses armées risquent par inadvertance de vous écraser. »

27:18

Ces mots firent sourire Salomon qui dit : « Fais, Seigneur, que je Te rende grâce des bienfaits dont Tu m'as comblé, ainsi que mes père et mère, et que j'accomplisse les œuvres qui Te sont agréables. »

27:19