WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.560 The story of the Queen of Sheba. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:09.550 Verifying facts before imposing punishment. 00:00:09.550 --> 00:00:16.140 When the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), became angry with the hoopoe 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:18.780 due to his absence from the army, 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:21.739 he threatened to punish or execute him, 00:00:21.739 --> 00:00:24.780 unless he brought a valid excuse. 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:27.820 This reflects the noble character of prophethood: 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.300 there is no punishment without a sin, 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:33.500 and no punishment without verification. 00:00:33.890 --> 00:00:35.890 Allah Almighty says: 00:00:35.890 --> 00:00:47.170 “And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent?” (27:20) 00:00:47.170 --> 00:00:55.329 “I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.” (27:21) 00:00:55.329 --> 00:01:02.670 “I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.” (27:21) 00:01:02.750 --> 00:01:05.230 Al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:01:05.230 --> 00:01:11.870 "His noticing the hoopoe's absence demonstrates his perfect attentiveness, his personal governance of his kingdom, 00:01:11.870 --> 00:01:16.909 and his exceptional acuteness, such that he missed even this small bird." 00:01:16.909 --> 00:01:21.870 “And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent?” (27:20) 00:01:21.870 --> 00:01:26.109 Meaning: Was his failure to see him due to a lack of attentiveness on his part— 00:01:26.109 --> 00:01:30.030 because the bird was hidden among these vast multitudes— 00:01:30.109 --> 00:01:36.180 or was it truly absent, having left without his permission or order? 00:01:36.180 --> 00:01:40.180 Thereupon, he grew angry with him and threatened him, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:46.180 saying: "I will surely punish him severely short of killing him," 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:51.299 “I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.” (27:21) 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:54.819 meaning a clear proof for his absence. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:57.859 This stems from his complete piety and fairness, 00:01:57.939 --> 00:02:02.980 as he did not swear to punish or kill him unconditionally, 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:06.579 since punishment is only for a sin, 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:10.580 and his absence might have been due to a valid excuse. 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:15.900 Therefore, he made an exception out of his piety and wisdom. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:18.139 This represents perfect justice: 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:22.060 that we do not punish the wrongdoer immediately in a moment of anger, 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:26.139 but rather give him an opportunity to present his excuse. 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:28.860 If it is acceptable, he is spared; 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:33.860 otherwise, he is punished as he deserves for his sin. 00:02:33.860 --> 00:02:37.139 Al-Tahir ibn 'Ashur (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:42.180 "His statement, 'or he must bring me a clear authority,' 00:02:42.180 --> 00:02:46.900 makes this the third outcome he decreed for his absence: 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:50.580 that he brings that which wards off punishment from himself, 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:55.069 in the form of an acceptable excuse for remaining behind." 00:02:55.069 --> 00:02:56.830 My dear sister, 00:02:56.909 --> 00:03:01.229 verify matters before inflicting punishment on your children, 00:03:01.229 --> 00:03:04.909 and give them the opportunity to defend themselves 00:03:04.909 --> 00:03:07.969 and explain their point of view. 00:03:07.969 --> 00:03:11.969 This verification is what Allah commanded His servants to practice, 00:03:11.969 --> 00:03:16.530 so that they avoid haste in judging and accusing people. 00:03:16.530 --> 00:03:18.849 For Allah Almighty says: 00:03:18.849 --> 00:03:25.009 "O you who have believed, 00:03:25.009 --> 00:03:31.659 “O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94) 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:37.979 “O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94) 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:45.520 “O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94) 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:50.879 for with Allah are abundant spoils. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:55.919 “O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94) 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:00.800 “O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94) 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:09.520 Indeed, Allah is ever Aware of what you do." 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.000 Al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:14.560 "The Almighty commands His believing servants, 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:17.040 when they go forth to strive in His cause 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:19.120 seeking His pleasure, 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:24.160 to investigate and verify all ambiguous matters. 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:26.399 For matters are of two types: 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:29.279 clear and unclear. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:34.399 As for clear and evident matters, they do not require investigation or verification, 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:37.279 because doing so would be redundant. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:40.560 But as for complex and unclear matters, 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:44.879 a person needs to verify and clarify them 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:48.720 to know whether to proceed or not. 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:51.279 Verifying such matters 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:54.240 yields immense benefits 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:56.800 and wards off great evils, 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:01.040 through which a servant's faith, intellect, and sound judgment are made known. 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:04.319 This is unlike one who acts hastily in the initial stages of affairs 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:07.519 before the ruling regarding them becomes clear to him, 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:11.360 as that leads to improper consequences— 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:15.759 just as happened to those whom Allah admonished in the verse, 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:21.439 when they failed to verify and killed someone who offered them greetings of peace." 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.759 The main thing that keeps you from verifying 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:27.360 and causes you to wrong your children and those around you 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.720 is anger. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:33.199 So seek refuge in Allah from anger and haste. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.100 Al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:40.660 "Allah commanded anyone executing an authority over His servants 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:44.480 to be fully informed before carrying it out. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:47.759 Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded, 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.680 specifically regarding judicial judgment, 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:53.120 that a judge must not pass judgment while angry. 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:56.720 For an angry person poses a risk in two respects: 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:59.600 the first is a lack of verification, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:00.879 and the second 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:04.240 is that anger may cloud one's judgment, 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:09.040 causing a person to do what he would not have done 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:12.449 had he not been angry." 00:06:12.449 --> 00:06:17.730 The standard for anger among many fathers and mothers is skewed, 00:06:17.730 --> 00:06:20.769 because they do not become angry for the sake of Allah, 00:06:20.769 --> 00:06:23.889 but rather for their own selves. 00:06:23.889 --> 00:06:25.810 If you were to ask yourself 00:06:25.810 --> 00:06:30.290 what drives you to be angry for your own sake rather than for Allah, 00:06:30.290 --> 00:06:34.449 you would find that social pretense is the reason. 00:06:34.449 --> 00:06:36.610 Social pretense 00:06:36.610 --> 00:06:41.329 means that a person presents an idealized image of themselves to others that does not reflect reality. 00:06:41.329 --> 00:06:46.850 That is why if your child commits a mistake or misbehaves in front of people, 00:06:46.850 --> 00:06:48.930 your temper flares up against him, 00:06:48.930 --> 00:06:51.730 your blood boils, your face turns red, 00:06:51.730 --> 00:06:53.410 your blood pressure rises, 00:06:53.410 --> 00:06:56.209 and your tone of voice becomes harsh with him— 00:06:56.209 --> 00:06:59.649 even though the very same mistake might be committed by him at home, 00:06:59.649 --> 00:07:04.290 yet you would not react as you did in front of people. 00:07:04.290 --> 00:07:07.410 Among the things that lead fathers and mothers 00:07:07.410 --> 00:07:11.410 to fail to verify claims made against their children 00:07:11.410 --> 00:07:14.769 is listening to people's criticism of their children 00:07:14.769 --> 00:07:19.970 and immediately believing this criticism without verification. 00:07:19.970 --> 00:07:23.810 Yet the critic might be resentful or envious, 00:07:23.810 --> 00:07:25.649 or even a sincere adviser, 00:07:25.649 --> 00:07:28.529 but one who exaggerates issues 00:07:28.529 --> 00:07:34.589 or lacks an understanding of human nature during childhood and youth. 00:07:34.589 --> 00:07:38.029 Thus, one should not act hastily toward children 00:07:38.029 --> 00:07:43.569 based on reports heard from people without verification. 00:07:43.569 --> 00:07:46.129 One of the worst causes that provoke anger in fathers 00:07:46.129 --> 00:07:50.930 and drive them to judge their children hastily without patience 00:07:50.930 --> 00:07:56.370 is the practice of some mothers greeting the husband with the children's misdeeds 00:07:56.370 --> 00:07:58.930 as soon as he returns from work, 00:07:58.930 --> 00:08:03.490 which inadvertently fills his heart with resentment toward his children, 00:08:03.490 --> 00:08:10.589 leading him to rush into judging and punishing them without thought or deliberation. 00:08:10.589 --> 00:08:12.540 My dear sister, 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:18.060 just as you need to be deliberate in judging the behavior of your children, 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:25.259 you also need to be deliberate in judging the actions of everyone around you— 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:29.740 your brothers, sisters, husband, and neighbors— 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:35.259 to avoid strained relationships built on haste and anger. 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:38.539 As for men, their default state should be rational composure, 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:43.580 given the maturity of intellect and emotional control Allah has granted them. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:47.980 Therefore, acting hastily, failing to verify what is heard, 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:52.220 and unfairly inflicting punishment on those under his care 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:58.059 are disgraceful qualities that do not befit noble men. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:03.019 Thus, all the guidance directed to women in this discourse 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:06.720 applies to men to an even greater degree. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:08.720 So, my dear brother, 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:11.919 be among the best and most prudent of men, 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:16.159 and be a good role model for others and for your household 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:21.899 in practicing verification and deliberation upon hearing news. 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:25.980 But did the hoopoe escape punishment, 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:29.580 and how did he handle this formidable threat 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.419 from a great prophet 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:36.700 who possessed a kingdom unlike any granted to any human on earth? 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:40.460 We will continue in our next session, Allah willing. 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:43.500 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:47.360 The story of the Queen of Sheba 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:51.360 with the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him).