Prophet Sulayman and the Ant: A Free Qur'an Storybook for Kids
The story of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) and the little ant, told simply for children, with pictures, his du'a and a colouring page.
Updated 25 October 2026
15 pagesStorybook
A4 & US Letterprint at home
Ages 4–9best for
10–15 minutestime it takesAllah gave Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) a great kingdom, the language of the birds and an army of jinn, people and birds. One day the army came to a valley of ants. A little ant called out to the others to hurry into their homes so they would not be crushed. Prophet Sulayman heard her, smiled, and thanked Allah with a beautiful du'a. Allah tells us this story in Surah an-Naml, the surah named after the ants.
This storybook tells the story in simple sentences, one picture to a page, so young children can follow along. Children learn to be kind to every creature, big or small, and to thank Allah for His blessings instead of feeling proud.
At the end there are three questions to talk about together, the du'a of Prophet Sulayman in Arabic with its meaning, and a page to colour in.
Step by step
- 1A kingdom of blessings
Allah gave Prophet Dawud and his son Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon them) great knowledge, and they praised Allah for it (Qur'an 27:15).
- 2The language of birds
Prophet Sulayman was taught the speech of birds and given something of everything (Qur'an 27:16).
- 3The great army
His army of jinn, people and birds marched together in ranks (Qur'an 27:17).
- 4The ant's warning
In the valley of the ants, one ant called out: "O ants, enter your homes, so that Sulayman and his army do not crush you without knowing" (Qur'an 27:18).
- 5He smiles and gives thanks
Prophet Sulayman smiled and laughed at her words, then made a du'a thanking Allah for His blessings (Qur'an 27:19).
What children learn from this story
- Be kind to every creature, even the smallest ant.
- Look after others, just like the little ant warned her friends.
- When Allah gives us something good, we say thank you to Allah, not feel proud.
- A du'a to learn by heart for being thankful.
Peek inside
How to use it
Print it and read it together, a few pages at a time. Point to the pictures and ask your child what the ants are doing. On the du'a page, read the meaning slowly together. Use the "Talk about it" questions at the end, then let your child colour in the last page.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this story from the Qur'an?
Yes. Allah tells the story of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) and the ant in Surah an-Naml (27:15–19). Surah an-Naml means "The Ants".
What age is this storybook for?
It is best for children aged 4 to 9. Younger children can listen and look at the pictures, and older children can read it by themselves.
What is the du'a of Prophet Sulayman?
Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'matakal-lati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayya, wa an a'mala salihan tardahu, wa adkhilni birahmatika fi 'ibadikas-salihin: "My Lord, help me to be thankful for the blessings You have given me and my parents, and to do good deeds that please You. And by Your mercy, make me one of Your good servants." It is on page 9 and page 13.
Are there pictures of people in the book?
No. The pictures show the palace, the birds, the army's banners from far away, the valley and the ants. There are no people or faces.
Is it free to print?
Yes. Download the A4 or US Letter PDF and print as many copies as you like for your family, class or masjid.
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