As for the word al-Arim, He intended "multitude," derived from their saying: jayshun ‘aramramun (a vast army) when it increases in number. The Almighty said: {Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his hosts crush you while they perceive not." So he smiled, laughing at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants."}1
The Ant is the Lady Umm Salama—peace be upon her—who is the essence of our Lord Salman—peace be upon him. The remaining ants are the believers. Her saying to them: {enter your dwellings} means: "Preserve your ranks, adhere to what God the Almighty has made known to you of the science of Oneness, conceal it from all but its people, do not issue legal opinions from yourselves, and recognize the Lord Solomon—exalted be his glory—in reality as the Supreme Name and the Most Noble Veil."
As for the smile, it only arises from satisfaction. The Meaning—exalted be his glory—manifested His power by bringing the throne of Bilqis in the blink of an eye, as God the Almighty said regarding him: {Said he who had knowledge from the Book, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful—his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful—then my Lord is Self-Sufficient and Generous."}2
This is an indication from the Lord Solomon, the Name, toward his Master Asaph—exalted be his glory—who is the Meaning, being his Lord, his Source, his God, and his Creator. He is our Master, the Prince of Bees—exalted be his glory—the One of vast knowledge, Lord of lords, who possesses the knowledge of the Book. Solomon is the Supreme Name and the Most Noble Veil—exalted be his glory.