“And Solomon inherited David. He said, ‘O people! We have been taught the language of birds, and have been given from all things. This is indeed the clear favour.’ (16)

“And Solomon inherited David”: ⦗54/b⦘ that is, his prophethood, knowledge, and kingdom, to the exclusion of all his other sons. (1) David had nineteen sons. Solomon was granted the kingdom that David had been granted, and was further given command over the wind and the devils. Muqatil said: Solomon possessed a greater kingdom than David and was more judicious in judgment, while David was more devoted in worship than Solomon. Solomon was grateful for the blessings of Allah, exalted is He.

“And he said, ‘O people! We have been taught the language of birds’”: He called the birds’ sounds “speech” because they conveyed meaning, just as the speech of people is understood.

It is narrated from Ka‘b, who said: (2) A wood pigeon called out in the presence of Solomon, peace be upon him, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Bear children for death, and build for ruin.’”

A dove called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Would that these creatures had never been created.’”

A peacock called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘As you do, so shall be done to you.’”

A hoopoe called out, and he said, “Do you know what this one is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.’”

A shrike called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Seek Allah’s forgiveness, O sinners.’”

A parrot called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Every living thing dies, and all iron wears away.’”

A swallow called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Send forth good, and you will find it.’”

A dove cooed, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Glory be to my Lord, the Most High, filling His heaven and earth.’”

A turtle dove called out, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.’”

He said: The crow invokes evil upon the tax collector; the kite says, “Everything will perish except Allah”; the sandgrouse says, “Whoever remains silent is safe”; the parrot says, “Woe to the one whose concern is this worldly life”; the frog says, “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Holy”; the hawk says, “Glory be to my Lord, and praise be to Him”; and the female frog says, “Glory be to Him who is mentioned by every tongue.”

Mak-hul said: A francolin called out in the presence of Solomon, and he said, “Do you know what it is saying?” They replied, “No.” He said, “It is saying: ‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’”