This story is often confused with the story of the Beast of the Earth, because in Arabic, the word used to refer to both the beast and the termite is the same. This word, phonetically transliterated as ‘Dabba’h’, literally means ‘that which walks on Earth’. The story of the Termite is told in the Holy Quran as a chapter of the story of Prophet Suleiman (AS). The Termite is a small insect, smaller than an ant. There are many species of termites, some feed on wood, some on leather, some on paper, etc. Termites even eat soil and cement, and it has the capacity to digest these ingredients. It is a unique creature that lives by its own laws, within an organized community. It can play a constructive role, by reducing waste, or a destructive one.
Termites are also great engineers, they build complex houses by joining fine sticks, in a structure that resembles a coffin, in which it enters to die. It is believed that the idea of the coffin was inspired by termites. In Arabic, the story of the termite is not to be confused with the story of the Beast of the Earth, which prophesizes a beast that appears as a sign of the Judgment Day. The Beast of the Earth is mentioned in the Holly Quran, and believed to be the offspring of Saleh’s Camel, or another creature. The Holly Quran mentions both the termite and the beast of the earth, and tells these stories for their moral. Allah is not shy to use his smallest creatures as examples to teach people. All his creatures are great, and they all serve their purpose. Praise be to Allah.
Prophet Suleiman (AS)
Allah granted Prophet Suleiman (AS) a great kingdom. He had authority on wind, animals, Jinn, and all other creatures. Jinn obeyed Prophet Suleiman’s commands, and they claimed knowing concealed (Al-Ghaib). Allah wanted to teach the Jinn that they do not in fact know the concealed. The lesson came when Prophet Suleiman (AS) died. He did not fall down as he died leaning on his cane. Jinn, among other servants of the Prophet, believed him to still be alive, and they continued doing the chores assigned to them, until the termites ate the cane, and Prophet Suleiman (AS) fell on the floor. This showed people that Jinn could not have known the concealed, otherwise they would not have continued to serve the Prophet after knowing he was dead.
The story of the termite in Hadith
The termite was mentioned in Hadith as a creature that supported Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Termites ate the deed in which the banishment of the Hashemites was written. The deed covered the terms of the banishment, and declared that ‘no one should marry their women nor give women for them to marry; and that no one would trade with them.’ The banishment lasted for three years, during which the Prophet and his disciples lived under siege at Shib Abi Talib, where they suffered hunger. Quraysh put the deed in the Holly Kaaba, where termites ate the whole document except the words ‘In the Name of Allah’. The Prophet told his uncle Abu Talib that the deed was eaten by termites, and Abu Talib told the leaders of Quraysh, who verified the incident and decided to lift the sanctions.Termites are unique creatures, a real soldier of Allah. They played a role in the stories of two Prophets.
