Surah An-Naml · Ayah 40

هَٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّي لِيَبْلُوَنِي أَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ

“This is from the bounty of my Lord — to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful.”

Sulaiman is a king. The throne of Bilqis arrives in front of him faster than a blink. The flex would have been to say something about himself — the kingdom, the men, the jinn, the gift. He doesn't. He says one line. *Hādhā min faḍli rabbī liyabluwanī a-ashkuru am akfur.* This is from the bounty of my Lord — to test whether I'm grateful or ungrateful. The moment the thing works, he names Whose it is. And he names it as a *test*, not a reward. This is the ayah I keep next to me when something I've been building finally lands. The launch goes well, the deal closes, the work I've quietly done for months finally gets seen. The nafs has a script ready for that moment — *look what I made.* Sulaiman's line is the override. *Hādhā min faḍli rabbī.* This isn't mine. And the only question left is which way I'll answer the test.

Week 10 · June 5, 2026