THE THRONE, THE PALACE, AND CIVILIZATION IN THE STORY OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA
THE THRONE, THE PALACE, AND CIVILIZATION IN THE STORY OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA: THE TRIUMPH OF KNOWLEDGE OVER BRUTE FORCE Introduction One of the longest and most dramatic narratives in the Qur'an is the story of the Queen of Sheba and Prophet Solomon in Surah An-Naml. In traditional exegesis and popular culture, this account has often been confined to the framework of "extraordinary miracles," "instant transportation," or the magnificence of a great kingdom. Exaggerated interpretations, frequently influenced by Isra'iliyyat traditions, have led many readers to focus on supernatural elements while overlooking the profound socio-political, epistemological, and civilizational dimensions embedded within the text. However, when the semantic structure of the verses and the chronology of events are examined carefully, what emerges is not a conventional conflict between two rulers, but rather a confrontation between two distinct paradigms of civilization. On one ...