An-Naml · Makki · ayah 39 of 93

An-Naml 27:39

قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ

“A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."”

Saheeh International

Essence

A jinn of overpowering strength offers to fetch the throne before Sulayman rises from his court, vouching for himself: strong enough, and trustworthy.

A reflection

Strong and trustworthy: the two lines every job needs

A removal van pulls up with three words painted on its side: reliable, careful, insured. Across the road a neighbour watches. She once saw this firm carry a grand piano down three flights without a scratch. Her word to a friend will count for more than the paint.

The jinn's offer ends with his credentials: innī ʿalayhi la-qawiyyun amīn, I am strong enough for it, and trustworthy. The concise commentaries spell out both halves. Strong enough to carry it. Trustworthy over what it holds: I will bring it as it is, keeping nothing back and changing nothing.

The first word has a picture inside it. The lexicons trace quwwa to the strands of a rope, twisted one upon another until it holds a load. Strength, in this language, is something that bears weight without snapping.

Those two words cover almost every task anyone is ever given. Can you do it, and can you be trusted with it? Strength without trust is a danger to whoever hires it. Trust without strength is a kind heart that drops the piano.

The Quran pairs them again elsewhere. In another story a young woman says of Musa that the best one to hire is the strong, the trustworthy (28:26). The difference lies in who is speaking. Here a jinn says it of himself, with double emphasis: indeed I, certainly strong. There someone who had watched him work says it of him.

Self-description is not worthless. Someone must say what they can do. But a wise leader weighs it lightly against what has been seen. The reports say Sulayman wanted something faster, and the next ayah brings a better offer.

When you next choose someone for a job, ask for both qualities, and ask where the evidence comes from. When you next describe yourself, let your record do most of the talking.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.