Asif ibn Barkhiya

King Solomon enthroned between grand vizier Asif (left) and king of jinns (right). A 16th-century (Safavid) miniature.

Āṣif bin Barkhiyā (Arabic: آصف بن برخيا‎) is thought to be the Islamic scriptural figure who brought Queen of Sheba's throne to King Solomon "...in the twinkling of an eye". Credited with the role of court vizier,^[1][2] it is a story occasionally recounted in middle-eastern lore,^[3] but perhaps more so in occult circles. The figure himself is largely unexpounded, as very few references to him are found in classical texts other than through subtle terms in Chapter 27 of the Qur'an. He is, however, apparent in a number of books that deal with Islamic occultism or Ruhaniyya, and in one that appears to be attributed directly to him (titled, al-Ajnas). In like manner, through the ages he was eminently revered by the Quranic exegetical traditions where the powers he possessed were associated to the Ineffable Name of Allah.^[1][4]

The Qur'an narration is as follows:

He said, 'O Council, which one of you will bring me her throne, before they come to me in surrender?' ^{[Quran 27:38]}

An efreet of the jinns said, 'I will bring it to thee, before thou risest from thy place; I have strength for it ^{[Quran 27:39]}

and I am trusty.' Said he who possessed knowledge of the Book, 'I will bring it to thee, before ever thy glance returns to thee.' Then, when he saw it settled before him, he said, 'This is of my Lord's bounty that He may try me, whether I am thankful or ungrateful. Whosoever gives thanks gives thanks only for his own soul's good, and whosoever is ungrateful -- my Lord is surely All-sufficient, All-generous.' ^{[Quran 27:40]}

He said, 'Disguise her throne for her, and we shall behold whether she is guided or if she is of those that are not guided.' ^{[Quran 27:41]}

So, when she came, it was said, 'Is thy throne like this?' She said, 'It seems the same.' 'And we were given the knowledge before her, and we were in surrender, ^{[Quran 27:42]}

Ibn Kathir's dissertation in Tafsir ibn Kathir:^[5]

(One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: ) Ibn `Abbas said, "This was Asif, the scribe of Sulayman." It was also narrated by Muhammad bin Ishaq from Yazid bin Ruman that he was Asif bin Barkhiya' and he was a truthful believer who knew the Greatest Name of Allah. Qatadah said: "He was a believer among the humans, and his name was Asif."

....

(I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!) Meaning, lift your gaze and look as far as you can, and before you get tired and blink, you will find it before you. Then he got up, performed ablution and prayed to Allah, may He be exalted. Mujahid said: "He said, O Owner of majesty and honor." When Sulayman and his chiefs saw it before them...

Notes

1. Richard F. Burton, Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night: vol. I, Kissinger Publishing Co, 2003, p. 42
2. S Bağci, Muqarnas, 1995
3. "Sulaymān b. Dāwūd". Encyclopædia of Islam. "Later legendary lore has magnified all this material..."
4. Jacob Lassner, Demonizing the Queen of Sheba: Boundaries of Gender and Culture in Postbiblical Judaism and Medieval Islam, University of Chicago Press, 1993, p. 107
5. "How the Throne of Bilqis was brought in an Instant". theholybook.org. Retrieved January 15, 2012.