The Legend of Bilqis: The Extraordinary Queen of Sheba

Bilqis was smart. Wise. Brave beyond measure. The kind of woman who could make a thousand warriors tremble. People whispered strange things about her origins—maybe she wasn't entirely human? A daughter of the jinn, some said. She ruled Sheba in Yemen, famous for that impressive Ma'rib dam holding back enormous waters.

It all started with a sorceress. She came to Bilqis's father with bad news: "The dam will break!" The king didn't quite believe it. "If you're right, rewards. If wrong, death." When engineers confirmed the danger, he made a selfish choice. He grabbed his treasures and fled. Just left his people behind.

Bilqis stayed. No way was she abandoning her people like that. She warned everyone: "Take what you can! Head to the mountains!" Her quick thinking saved lives. The dam collapsed. Everything below was destroyed.

The people loved her for it. They made her queen. Simple as that. But they still worshipped the sun, not Allah.

A hoopoe bird spotted this situation. Told Solomon about it. He sent Bilqis a message. She'd never seen anything like it—starting with "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Strange words to her.

She wasn't hasty. Called her advisors together. The Quran tells us she said: "O assembly, I received a noble letter from Solomon. It begins in Allah's name. He says not to be arrogant and to come in submission."

Her advisors boasted about their strength but left the decision to her. Smart move on her part—she sent gifts to test Solomon. "Kings who invade destroy everything," she reasoned. "Let's see how he responds to presents."

Solomon wasn't impressed. At all. "You think wealth matters to me? Allah has given me more. Go back and tell her we'll bring armies they can't fight."

Bilqis got the message. She decided to visit personally. Kind of a power move.

Before she arrived, Solomon wanted to show off a bit. "Who can bring me her throne?" he asked his court. A jinn offered to get it quickly, but someone with knowledge from the Book brought it instantly.

When she arrived, Solomon had altered her throne slightly. Asked if she recognized it. She answered carefully: "It's as if it's the same." Diplomatic, right?

Then came the glass floor incident. Solomon's palace had this crystal floor. Bilqis thought it was water. She lifted her dress to cross it. Solomon explained: "Just crystal."

Faced with such wisdom and power, she converted. But notice how she phrased it: "I surrender with Solomon to Allah." Not under him. With him.

Even in religious conversion, Bilqis kept her dignity. That's the legend—a queen with exceptional wisdom, diplomatic skills, and courage that still resonates today. Impressive woman.