Bilqis, in the Hashemite Cycle, is Safiyya bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab of Khaybar. The Ifrit of whom God the Almighty informed: {An Ifrit from the Jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this powerful and trustworthy."}1 [is al-Miqdad]. The Hoopoe regarding whom God the Almighty said: {And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe? Or is he among the absent?"}2 [is the Gate (al-Bab)]. Likewise, His word: {Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then turn away from them and see what they return.}3 [is the Lord Salman—peace be upon him].
And the words of God, the Sublime and Exalted, regarding the Hoopoe: {But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news."}4
This contains two aspects: The first aspect: it is by way of inquiry, its estimation being: "Have I encompassed that which you have not encompassed?" This was an indication from the Lord Salman—peace be upon him—to the Lord Name, Solomon—exalted be his glory—meaning: "I have only encompassed that which you have encompassed; you are encompassing of it and more knowledgeable of its existence before my own knowledge."
The second aspect: the saying of the Hoopoe: {I have encompassed that which you have not encompassed} refers to "the birds," who are the masters of the high ranks. For none among them encompasses the knowledge that the Gate encompasses, nor do they reach the core of his recognition. The Meaning—exalted be His majesty—manifested as Simon Peter (Sham’un al-Safa) son of Jonah in Essence, not through examples or attributes.