1 00:00:00,460 --> 00:00:02,459 Stories of the Prophets, 2 00:00:02,459 --> 00:00:05,580 stories of the Prophets, 3 00:00:05,580 --> 00:00:07,580 peace be upon them. 4 00:00:07,580 --> 00:00:09,619 May Allah's blessings 5 00:00:09,619 --> 00:00:11,619 followed by 6 00:00:11,619 --> 00:00:13,619 peace 7 00:00:13,619 --> 00:00:15,619 be upon the best of all creation, 8 00:00:15,619 --> 00:00:17,620 all of them. 9 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:20,190 Those of firm resolve, 10 00:00:20,190 --> 00:00:22,190 their status 11 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:24,480 is exalted. 12 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,480 The story of Sulayman (Solomon), 13 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,480 peace be upon him. 14 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:32,530 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 15 00:00:32,530 --> 00:00:34,530 All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 16 00:00:34,530 --> 00:00:36,689 and may peace and blessings 17 00:00:36,689 --> 00:00:38,689 be upon our Prophet Muhammad, 18 00:00:38,689 --> 00:00:40,689 and upon his family and Companions, 19 00:00:40,689 --> 00:00:42,689 all of them. 20 00:00:42,689 --> 00:00:44,689 To proceed: 21 00:00:44,689 --> 00:00:47,140 The Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, 22 00:00:47,140 --> 00:00:49,140 peace be upon him, 23 00:00:49,140 --> 00:00:51,140 was deeply devoted to striving 24 00:00:51,140 --> 00:00:53,140 in the path of Allah 25 00:00:53,140 --> 00:00:55,140 and spreading monotheism throughout the earth. 26 00:00:55,140 --> 00:00:57,329 We have already covered his calling 27 00:00:57,329 --> 00:00:59,329 of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, 28 00:00:59,329 --> 00:01:01,329 until she embraced Islam. 29 00:01:01,329 --> 00:01:03,329 We also covered 30 00:01:03,329 --> 00:01:05,329 his inspection of the noble, swift 31 00:01:05,329 --> 00:01:07,329 horses, 32 00:01:07,329 --> 00:01:09,359 prepared for striving in Allah's cause. 33 00:01:09,359 --> 00:01:11,359 But when they distracted him from the prayer 34 00:01:11,359 --> 00:01:13,359 and the remembrance of his Lord until the sun had set 35 00:01:13,359 --> 00:01:15,359 beneath the horizon, 36 00:01:15,359 --> 00:01:17,359 he slaughtered them, offering them 37 00:01:17,359 --> 00:01:19,359 as food for the needy. 38 00:01:19,359 --> 00:01:21,579 Then Sulayman, 39 00:01:21,579 --> 00:01:23,579 peace be upon him, said, 40 00:01:23,579 --> 00:01:25,579 "Tonight I will surely go round to 41 00:01:25,579 --> 00:01:27,579 a hundred of my wives, 42 00:01:27,579 --> 00:01:29,579 each of whom will bear a knight 43 00:01:29,579 --> 00:01:31,579 who will fight in the path of Allah." 44 00:01:31,579 --> 00:01:33,650 But he did not say, 45 00:01:33,650 --> 00:01:35,650 peace be upon him, "if Allah wills," 46 00:01:35,650 --> 00:01:37,650 out of mere forgetfulness. 47 00:01:37,650 --> 00:01:39,650 This does not mean that he 48 00:01:39,650 --> 00:01:41,650 had failed to entrust the matter to Allah 49 00:01:41,650 --> 00:01:43,650 in his heart; rather, he simply forgot 50 00:01:43,650 --> 00:01:45,650 to utter "if Allah wills" 51 00:01:45,650 --> 00:01:47,650 with his tongue. 52 00:01:47,650 --> 00:01:49,650 This incident was a trial 53 00:01:49,650 --> 00:01:51,650 for Sulayman, peace be upon him, 54 00:01:51,650 --> 00:01:53,650 from Allah Almighty, and a test. 55 00:01:53,650 --> 00:01:56,030 After he had gone round to them, 56 00:01:56,030 --> 00:01:58,030 none of them became pregnant 57 00:01:58,030 --> 00:02:00,030 except for one woman, 58 00:02:00,030 --> 00:02:02,030 and she gave birth to only a half-formed child. 59 00:02:02,030 --> 00:02:04,420 So the midwives brought 60 00:02:04,420 --> 00:02:06,420 it to him 61 00:02:06,420 --> 00:02:08,419 as he sat upon his throne, 62 00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:10,419 and they placed it before 63 00:02:10,419 --> 00:02:12,419 him so that he might see it. 64 00:02:12,419 --> 00:02:16,020 Our Prophet, 65 00:02:16,020 --> 00:02:18,020 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, swore 66 00:02:18,020 --> 00:02:20,020 that had the Prophet of Allah, 67 00:02:20,020 --> 00:02:22,020 Sulayman, peace be upon him, 68 00:02:22,020 --> 00:02:24,020 made the exception in his speech 69 00:02:24,020 --> 00:02:26,020 and said, "If Allah 70 00:02:26,020 --> 00:02:28,020 wills," Allah would have blessed him 71 00:02:28,020 --> 00:02:30,020 with those one hundred knights, 72 00:02:30,020 --> 00:02:32,020 just as he had intended, 73 00:02:32,020 --> 00:02:34,020 and they all would have fought in the path of 74 00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:37,259 Allah. Sulayman, peace be upon him, realized 75 00:02:37,259 --> 00:02:39,259 his mistake, 76 00:02:39,259 --> 00:02:41,259 and knew that his oversight 77 00:02:41,259 --> 00:02:43,259 in mentioning Allah and deferring 78 00:02:43,259 --> 00:02:45,259 all will to Him 79 00:02:45,259 --> 00:02:47,259 was the reason he was not granted 80 00:02:47,259 --> 00:02:49,259 the sons who would fight in 81 00:02:49,259 --> 00:02:51,259 the path of Allah. So he turned 82 00:02:51,259 --> 00:02:53,259 in repentance to Allah, 83 00:02:53,259 --> 00:02:55,259 prostrating humbly before Him, 84 00:02:55,259 --> 00:02:57,259 imploring his Lord to bestow 85 00:02:57,259 --> 00:02:59,259 forgiveness upon him, 86 00:02:59,259 --> 00:03:01,259 and to grant him a kingdom 87 00:03:01,259 --> 00:03:03,259 such as would not belong to anyone after him, 88 00:03:03,259 --> 00:03:05,259 which he would use as an aid 89 00:03:05,259 --> 00:03:07,259 to establish the religion throughout the earth. 90 00:03:07,259 --> 00:03:09,419 So Allah answered 91 00:03:09,419 --> 00:03:11,419 his supplication, 92 00:03:11,419 --> 00:03:13,419 and granted him in place of the horses 93 00:03:13,419 --> 00:03:15,419 the wind, both gentle and stormy, 94 00:03:15,419 --> 00:03:17,419 carrying him and those 95 00:03:17,419 --> 00:03:19,419 with him wherever he willed. 96 00:03:19,419 --> 00:03:21,520 And He granted him in place of 97 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,520 the knights 98 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,520 the subjugation of the jinn 99 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:27,520 and the devils, 100 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,060 who carried out whatever works he desired. 101 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:32,060 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 102 00:03:32,060 --> 00:03:34,099 "Indeed, 103 00:03:34,099 --> 00:03:36,099 you will never leave anything 104 00:03:36,099 --> 00:03:38,099 out of fear of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 105 00:03:38,099 --> 00:03:40,099 except that Allah will give you 106 00:03:40,099 --> 00:03:42,319 something better than it." 107 00:03:42,319 --> 00:03:44,319 Al-Hasan al-Basri, 108 00:03:44,319 --> 00:03:46,379 may Allah have mercy on him, said: 109 00:03:46,379 --> 00:03:48,379 "When Sulayman slaughtered the horses 110 00:03:48,379 --> 00:03:50,379 out of wrath for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 111 00:03:50,379 --> 00:03:52,379 Allah compensated him 112 00:03:52,379 --> 00:03:54,379 with something better and faster: 113 00:03:54,379 --> 00:03:56,379 the wind, 114 00:03:56,379 --> 00:03:58,379 whose morning journey was a month's travel, 115 00:03:58,379 --> 00:04:00,449 and whose afternoon journey was a month's travel." 116 00:04:00,449 --> 00:04:02,449 That is, its journey in the first half of 117 00:04:02,449 --> 00:04:04,449 the day covered the distance of an entire month 118 00:04:04,449 --> 00:04:06,449 by the ordinary pace 119 00:04:06,449 --> 00:04:08,449 of people, 120 00:04:08,449 --> 00:04:10,449 and its journey in the latter half of the day 121 00:04:10,449 --> 00:04:12,449 was likewise a month's travel. 122 00:04:12,449 --> 00:04:14,509 Thus, in a single day, 123 00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:16,509 it covered the distance of 124 00:04:16,509 --> 00:04:20,110 two months' journey. 125 00:04:20,110 --> 00:04:22,110 It was also reported that Sulayman, 126 00:04:22,110 --> 00:04:24,110 peace be upon him, had a wooden platform 127 00:04:24,110 --> 00:04:26,110 upon which was placed 128 00:04:26,110 --> 00:04:28,110 everything he required 129 00:04:28,110 --> 00:04:30,110 for the affairs of the kingdom: 130 00:04:30,110 --> 00:04:32,110 horses, camels, tents, 131 00:04:32,110 --> 00:04:34,110 and soldiers. 132 00:04:34,110 --> 00:04:36,110 Then he would command the wind to bear it, 133 00:04:36,110 --> 00:04:38,110 so it would sweep beneath it, 134 00:04:38,110 --> 00:04:40,110 carry it, 135 00:04:40,110 --> 00:04:42,110 lift it up, and travel with it. 136 00:04:42,110 --> 00:04:44,139 It blew softly 137 00:04:44,139 --> 00:04:46,139 and gently whenever he willed, 138 00:04:46,139 --> 00:04:48,139 or became a raging, 139 00:04:48,139 --> 00:04:50,139 swift, and forceful gale 140 00:04:50,139 --> 00:04:52,139 whenever he willed, 141 00:04:52,139 --> 00:04:54,139 while the birds shaded him from the heat 142 00:04:54,139 --> 00:04:56,139 to wherever he willed 143 00:04:56,139 --> 00:04:58,720 across the earth. 144 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,259 Allah Almighty said: 145 00:05:01,259 --> 00:05:03,259 "And We certainly tried 146 00:05:03,259 --> 00:05:05,259 Sulayman and placed 147 00:05:05,259 --> 00:05:07,259 upon his throne a body; 148 00:05:07,259 --> 00:05:09,259 then he turned in repentance. 149 00:05:09,259 --> 00:05:11,259 He said, 'My Lord, 150 00:05:11,259 --> 00:05:13,259 “He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.” (38:35) 151 00:05:13,259 --> 00:05:15,259 a kingdom that will not belong 152 00:05:15,259 --> 00:05:17,259 to anyone 153 00:05:17,259 --> 00:05:19,259 after me. 154 00:05:19,259 --> 00:05:21,259 Indeed, You are 155 00:05:21,259 --> 00:05:23,259 the Bestower.' 156 00:05:23,259 --> 00:05:25,259 So We subjected to him 157 00:05:25,259 --> 00:05:27,259 the wind blowing 158 00:05:27,259 --> 00:05:29,259 by his command, gently, 159 00:05:29,259 --> 00:05:31,259 wherever he directed, 160 00:05:31,259 --> 00:05:33,259 and the devils: 161 00:05:33,259 --> 00:05:35,259 every builder 162 00:05:35,259 --> 00:05:37,259 and diver, 163 00:05:39,259 --> 00:05:41,259 and others bound 164 00:05:41,259 --> 00:05:43,259 in fetters. 165 00:05:43,259 --> 00:05:45,259 'This is Our gift, 166 00:05:45,259 --> 00:05:47,259 so bestow 167 00:05:47,259 --> 00:05:49,259 or withhold 168 00:05:49,259 --> 00:05:51,259 without account.' 169 00:05:51,259 --> 00:05:53,259 And indeed, for him 170 00:05:53,259 --> 00:05:55,259 in Our presence 171 00:05:55,259 --> 00:05:57,259 is a near access and a good 172 00:05:57,259 --> 00:05:59,620 place of return." 173 00:05:59,620 --> 00:06:01,620 And Allah subjected the jinn 174 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:03,620 and the devils to serve Sulayman, 175 00:06:03,620 --> 00:06:05,620 peace be upon him, 176 00:06:05,620 --> 00:06:07,620 as laborers doing whatever he 177 00:06:07,620 --> 00:06:09,620 wished, never slacking 178 00:06:09,620 --> 00:06:11,620 nor defying his obedience. 179 00:06:11,620 --> 00:06:13,709 They made for him 180 00:06:13,709 --> 00:06:15,709 whatever he willed of sanctuaries— 181 00:06:15,709 --> 00:06:17,709 which are fine places for worship 182 00:06:17,709 --> 00:06:19,709 and dignified assembly halls— 183 00:06:19,709 --> 00:06:21,709 and they made for him 184 00:06:21,709 --> 00:06:23,709 sculptures, 185 00:06:23,709 --> 00:06:25,709 meaning carved images upon the walls, 186 00:06:25,709 --> 00:06:27,709 which was permissible 187 00:06:27,709 --> 00:06:29,709 in their religious law and creed. 188 00:06:29,709 --> 00:06:31,709 They also made for him 189 00:06:31,709 --> 00:06:33,709 basins like reservoirs, 190 00:06:33,709 --> 00:06:35,709 which were massive troughs 191 00:06:35,709 --> 00:06:37,709 in which water was gathered 192 00:06:37,709 --> 00:06:39,709 so that animals, 193 00:06:39,709 --> 00:06:41,709 birds, and others 194 00:06:41,709 --> 00:06:43,709 could drink from them, 195 00:06:43,709 --> 00:06:45,709 as well as firmly anchored cooking pots, 196 00:06:45,709 --> 00:06:47,740 which were enormous cauldrons 197 00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:49,740 wherein food was prepared, 198 00:06:49,740 --> 00:06:51,740 so huge that they remained stationary, 199 00:06:51,740 --> 00:06:53,740 never moved from 200 00:06:53,740 --> 00:06:55,839 their proper places. 201 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:57,839 And among the jinn and devils, 202 00:06:57,839 --> 00:06:59,839 there were those whom Solomon (peace be upon him) subjugated 203 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:01,839 for construction work, 204 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:03,839 so they built whatever he wished for him 205 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:05,839 of houses and palaces. 206 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:07,839 And among them were those whom he commanded to dive 207 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:09,839 into the seas, 208 00:07:09,839 --> 00:07:11,839 extracting the jewels found there, 209 00:07:11,839 --> 00:07:13,839 pearls, 210 00:07:13,839 --> 00:07:15,839 and other precious things that cannot be found 211 00:07:15,839 --> 00:07:18,060 anywhere else. 212 00:07:18,060 --> 00:07:20,060 And the matter was left to Solomon 213 00:07:20,060 --> 00:07:22,060 (peace be upon him), 214 00:07:22,060 --> 00:07:24,060 to grant favor to whomever of them he wished 215 00:07:24,060 --> 00:07:26,060 by releasing them, 216 00:07:26,060 --> 00:07:28,100 or to withhold whomever he wished. 217 00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:30,100 And whoever among them disobeyed his command, 218 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:32,100 Solomon would punish them 219 00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:34,100 in this world by shackling them 220 00:07:34,100 --> 00:07:36,100 in chains 221 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:38,100 and exiling them to remote islands and seas; 222 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:40,100 while in the Hereafter, 223 00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:42,100 Allah will make them taste the torment 224 00:07:42,100 --> 00:07:45,439 of the Blaze. 225 00:07:45,439 --> 00:07:47,439 And just as Allah made iron pliable 226 00:07:47,439 --> 00:07:49,439 for David (peace be upon him), 227 00:07:49,439 --> 00:07:51,439 fashioning from it whatever he wished, 228 00:07:51,439 --> 00:07:53,439 Allah likewise caused to flow 229 00:07:53,439 --> 00:07:55,439 for Solomon (peace be upon him) 230 00:07:55,439 --> 00:07:57,439 the spring of molten copper, 231 00:07:57,439 --> 00:07:59,439 which is melted brass. 232 00:07:59,439 --> 00:08:01,439 It was made to flow for him over the distance of a three days' 233 00:08:01,439 --> 00:08:03,439 journey, 234 00:08:03,439 --> 00:08:05,439 just as a spring of water flows, 235 00:08:05,439 --> 00:08:07,439 and it was in the land of Yemen. 236 00:08:07,439 --> 00:08:09,439 It was narrated that copper 237 00:08:09,439 --> 00:08:11,439 had never melted for anyone before him, 238 00:08:11,439 --> 00:08:13,439 and indeed, people today 239 00:08:13,439 --> 00:08:15,439 only benefit from it 240 00:08:15,439 --> 00:08:17,439 through what Allah Almighty brought forth 241 00:08:17,439 --> 00:08:19,439 for Solomon (peace be upon him). 242 00:08:19,439 --> 00:08:21,600 Qatadah said: 243 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:23,660 "Allah caused a spring to flow for him 244 00:08:23,660 --> 00:08:25,660 which he could use for whatever 245 00:08:25,660 --> 00:08:27,660 he wished, as a sign 246 00:08:27,660 --> 00:08:29,980 of his prophethood." 247 00:08:29,980 --> 00:08:31,980 Allah Almighty said: 248 00:08:31,980 --> 00:08:33,980 "And to Solomon [We subjected] 249 00:08:33,980 --> 00:08:35,980 the wind—its morning stride was a month's journey, 250 00:08:35,980 --> 00:08:37,980 and its evening stride was a month's journey. 251 00:08:37,980 --> 00:08:39,980 And We caused to flow for him 252 00:08:39,980 --> 00:08:41,980 a spring of molten copper. 253 00:08:41,980 --> 00:08:43,980 And of the jinn 254 00:08:43,980 --> 00:08:45,980 were those who worked before 255 00:08:45,980 --> 00:08:47,980 him by the permission of his Lord. 256 00:08:47,980 --> 00:08:49,980 And whoever of them 257 00:08:49,980 --> 00:08:51,980 deviated from Our command, 258 00:08:51,980 --> 00:08:53,980 We will make him taste of the punishment 259 00:08:53,980 --> 00:08:55,980 of the Blaze. 260 00:08:55,980 --> 00:08:57,980 They made for him 261 00:08:57,980 --> 00:08:59,980 whatever he wished 262 00:08:59,980 --> 00:09:01,980 of sanctuaries, 263 00:09:01,980 --> 00:09:03,980 statues, 264 00:09:03,980 --> 00:09:05,980 basins 265 00:09:05,980 --> 00:09:07,980 like reservoirs, 266 00:09:07,980 --> 00:09:09,980 and stationary cooking pots. 267 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:13,980 'Work, O family of David, 268 00:09:13,980 --> 00:09:15,980 in gratitude!' 269 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:17,980 And few 270 00:09:17,980 --> 00:09:19,980 of My servants are grateful." 271 00:09:19,980 --> 00:09:22,690 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah 272 00:09:22,690 --> 00:09:24,690 (may Allah be pleased with him), 273 00:09:24,690 --> 00:09:26,690 from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 274 00:09:26,690 --> 00:09:28,690 who said: 275 00:09:28,690 --> 00:09:30,690 "An 'ifrit of the jinn 276 00:09:30,690 --> 00:09:32,690 suddenly escaped and came at me last night 277 00:09:32,690 --> 00:09:34,690 to interrupt my prayer, 278 00:09:34,690 --> 00:09:36,690 but Allah gave me power over him. 279 00:09:36,690 --> 00:09:38,690 So I seized him and wanted 280 00:09:38,690 --> 00:09:40,690 to tie him to one of the pillars 281 00:09:40,690 --> 00:09:42,690 of the mosque 282 00:09:42,690 --> 00:09:44,690 so that in the morning all of you 283 00:09:44,690 --> 00:09:46,690 could look at him, 284 00:09:46,690 --> 00:09:48,690 and so that the children 285 00:09:48,690 --> 00:09:50,820 of the people of Medina could play with him. 286 00:09:50,820 --> 00:09:52,820 But then I remembered the supplication of my brother Solomon: 287 00:09:52,820 --> 00:09:54,820 'My Lord, grant me 288 00:09:54,820 --> 00:09:56,820 a kingdom such as shall not belong 289 00:09:56,820 --> 00:09:58,820 to anyone after me.' 290 00:09:58,820 --> 00:10:00,820 So I sent him away disgraced." 291 00:10:00,820 --> 00:10:04,220 Allah, 292 00:10:04,220 --> 00:10:06,220 the Exalted and Majestic, in His profound wisdom, willed 293 00:10:06,220 --> 00:10:08,220 to test the people, 294 00:10:08,220 --> 00:10:10,220 so He sent down to the land of Babylon, 295 00:10:10,220 --> 00:10:12,220 in Iraq, 296 00:10:12,220 --> 00:10:14,220 two angels: 297 00:10:14,220 --> 00:10:16,220 Harut and Marut, 298 00:10:16,220 --> 00:10:18,220 who taught magic to the people. 299 00:10:18,220 --> 00:10:20,350 And no one 300 00:10:20,350 --> 00:10:22,350 would come to them wishing 301 00:10:22,350 --> 00:10:24,350 to learn the knowledge of magic from them 302 00:10:24,350 --> 00:10:26,350 except that they advised him, saying: 303 00:10:26,350 --> 00:10:28,350 "We are only 304 00:10:28,350 --> 00:10:30,350 a trial, so do not disbelieve 305 00:10:30,350 --> 00:10:32,350 by learning magic from us." 306 00:10:32,350 --> 00:10:34,480 So some would turn back, 307 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,480 while others would learn 308 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:38,480 magic from them, 309 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,610 and thus magic spread among 310 00:10:40,610 --> 00:10:42,610 the people. 311 00:10:42,610 --> 00:10:44,610 The devils were also 312 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:46,669 teaching magic to the people. 313 00:10:46,669 --> 00:10:48,669 So when Solomon 314 00:10:48,669 --> 00:10:50,669 (peace be upon him) came 315 00:10:50,669 --> 00:10:52,669 and Allah subjected to him the jinn 316 00:10:52,669 --> 00:10:54,669 and the devils, he began 317 00:10:54,669 --> 00:10:56,669 to fight against magic and sorcerers. 318 00:10:56,669 --> 00:10:58,669 He would seize whatever 319 00:10:58,669 --> 00:11:00,669 they possessed of occult knowledge, books, 320 00:11:00,669 --> 00:11:02,669 spells, and talismans, 321 00:11:02,669 --> 00:11:04,669 and bury them under his throne, 322 00:11:04,669 --> 00:11:06,669 where the devils 323 00:11:06,669 --> 00:11:08,669 dared not approach. 324 00:11:08,669 --> 00:11:10,860 Then, when he passed 325 00:11:10,860 --> 00:11:12,860 away (peace be upon him), 326 00:11:12,860 --> 00:11:14,860 the devils dug up what was beneath 327 00:11:14,860 --> 00:11:16,860 his throne 328 00:11:16,860 --> 00:11:18,860 and falsely claimed against him 329 00:11:18,860 --> 00:11:20,860 that he only controlled the jinn 330 00:11:20,860 --> 00:11:22,860 and devils by means of this 331 00:11:22,860 --> 00:11:24,860 magic; so they accused him 332 00:11:24,860 --> 00:11:26,860 of disbelief—refuge is sought with Allah. 333 00:11:26,860 --> 00:11:28,929 And the Jews continued 334 00:11:28,929 --> 00:11:30,929 to consider him a disbeliever, 335 00:11:30,929 --> 00:11:32,929 until Allah Almighty exonerated him 336 00:11:32,929 --> 00:11:34,929 in the Noble Qur'an. 337 00:11:34,929 --> 00:11:37,179 Allah Almighty said: 338 00:11:37,179 --> 00:11:39,659 "And they followed 339 00:11:39,659 --> 00:11:41,659 what the devils recited 340 00:11:41,659 --> 00:11:43,659 during the reign of Solomon. 341 00:11:43,659 --> 00:11:45,659 And Solomon did not 342 00:11:45,659 --> 00:11:47,659 disbelieve, but 343 00:11:47,659 --> 00:11:49,659 the devils 344 00:11:49,659 --> 00:11:51,659 disbelieved, 345 00:11:51,659 --> 00:11:53,659 teaching the people 346 00:11:53,659 --> 00:11:55,659 magic 347 00:11:55,659 --> 00:11:57,659 and teaching the people 348 00:11:57,659 --> 00:11:59,659 magic and that which 349 00:11:59,659 --> 00:12:01,659 was revealed to the two angels 350 00:12:01,659 --> 00:12:03,659 in Babylon, Harut 351 00:12:03,659 --> 00:12:05,659 and Marut. 352 00:12:05,659 --> 00:12:07,659 But the two angels did not teach anyone unless they said, 353 00:12:07,659 --> 00:12:09,659 “And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.” (2:102) 354 00:12:09,659 --> 00:12:11,659 'We are only 355 00:12:11,659 --> 00:12:13,659 a trial, 356 00:12:13,659 --> 00:12:15,659 so do not disbelieve.' 357 00:12:15,659 --> 00:12:17,659 And from them people learn 358 00:12:17,659 --> 00:12:19,659 that by which they cause separation 359 00:12:19,659 --> 00:12:21,659 between a man and his wife. 360 00:12:21,659 --> 00:12:23,659 But they do not 361 00:12:23,659 --> 00:12:25,659 harm 362 00:12:25,659 --> 00:12:27,659 by it 363 00:12:27,659 --> 00:12:29,659 anyone 364 00:12:29,659 --> 00:12:31,659 except by the permission of Allah. 365 00:12:31,659 --> 00:12:33,659 And the people learn 366 00:12:33,659 --> 00:12:35,659 what harms them 367 00:12:35,659 --> 00:12:37,659 and does not benefit them. 368 00:12:37,659 --> 00:12:39,659 And certainly, 369 00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:41,659 they knew that whoever purchased it 370 00:12:41,659 --> 00:12:43,659 would have in the Hereafter 371 00:12:43,659 --> 00:12:45,659 no share of good. 372 00:12:45,659 --> 00:12:47,659 And wretched is that for which they sold 373 00:12:47,659 --> 00:12:49,659 themselves, 374 00:12:49,659 --> 00:12:51,659 if they only 375 00:12:51,659 --> 00:12:53,659 knew." 376 00:12:53,659 --> 00:12:57,100 Solomon 377 00:12:57,100 --> 00:12:59,100 (peace be upon him) 378 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:01,100 was keen to attend the judicial assemblies 379 00:13:01,100 --> 00:13:03,100 of his father David (peace be upon him), 380 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:05,100 to witness his judging 381 00:13:05,100 --> 00:13:07,100 among the people. 382 00:13:07,100 --> 00:13:09,100 He would sometimes suggest 383 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:11,100 to his father that 384 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:13,100 had he been the judge in that 385 00:13:13,100 --> 00:13:15,100 case, he would have ruled differently 386 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:17,419 from how David had ruled. 387 00:13:17,419 --> 00:13:19,419 The Noble Qur'an mentioned 388 00:13:19,419 --> 00:13:21,419 the case of the cultivated field 389 00:13:21,419 --> 00:13:23,419 in this regard, when sheep pastured 390 00:13:23,419 --> 00:13:25,460 in it at night; 391 00:13:25,460 --> 00:13:27,460 and its summary is 392 00:13:27,460 --> 00:13:29,460 that two men entered 393 00:13:29,460 --> 00:13:31,460 upon David (peace be upon him): 394 00:13:31,460 --> 00:13:33,460 one of them was the owner 395 00:13:33,460 --> 00:13:35,460 of the crops, and the other 396 00:13:35,460 --> 00:13:37,460 was the owner of the sheep. 397 00:13:37,460 --> 00:13:39,460 The owner of the crops said: 398 00:13:39,460 --> 00:13:41,460 "O Prophet of Allah, 399 00:13:41,460 --> 00:13:43,460 "This man's sheep wandered 400 00:13:43,460 --> 00:13:45,460 into my crops by night, 401 00:13:45,460 --> 00:13:47,549 leaving nothing behind." 402 00:13:47,549 --> 00:13:49,549 So Dawud (peace be upon him) ruled 403 00:13:49,549 --> 00:13:51,549 in favor of the crop owner, 404 00:13:51,549 --> 00:13:53,549 awarding him his opponent's sheep in compensation 405 00:13:53,549 --> 00:13:55,809 for destroying his harvest. 406 00:13:55,809 --> 00:13:57,809 But as the two litigants were leaving, 407 00:13:57,809 --> 00:13:59,809 they met Sulayman 408 00:13:59,809 --> 00:14:01,809 (peace be upon him), 409 00:14:01,809 --> 00:14:03,870 and informed him of his father's verdict. 410 00:14:03,870 --> 00:14:05,870 He remarked, 411 00:14:05,870 --> 00:14:07,870 "Had I been the judge, 412 00:14:07,870 --> 00:14:10,029 I would have ruled differently." 413 00:14:10,029 --> 00:14:12,029 Word of this reached Dawud 414 00:14:12,029 --> 00:14:14,029 (peace be upon him), 415 00:14:14,029 --> 00:14:16,029 so he summoned him and asked, 416 00:14:16,029 --> 00:14:18,029 "How would you have judged?" 417 00:14:18,029 --> 00:14:20,190 He replied, 418 00:14:20,190 --> 00:14:22,190 "I saw a verdict far more beneficial to both parties: 419 00:14:22,190 --> 00:14:24,289 hand over the sheep 420 00:14:24,289 --> 00:14:26,289 to the crop owner 421 00:14:26,289 --> 00:14:28,289 so he may benefit from them, 422 00:14:28,289 --> 00:14:30,289 and hand over the damaged land to the owner of the sheep 423 00:14:30,289 --> 00:14:32,289 to cultivate and care for it 424 00:14:32,289 --> 00:14:34,289 until it is restored to its original state. 425 00:14:34,289 --> 00:14:36,289 Then, each party 426 00:14:36,289 --> 00:14:38,289 shall return to the other 427 00:14:38,289 --> 00:14:40,289 what was placed under his care; 428 00:14:40,289 --> 00:14:42,289 the crop owner will reclaim 429 00:14:42,289 --> 00:14:44,289 his land, and the shepherd 430 00:14:44,289 --> 00:14:46,379 his sheep." 431 00:14:46,379 --> 00:14:48,379 Dawud (peace be upon him) was deeply impressed by this, 432 00:14:48,379 --> 00:14:50,929 and adopted it as his judgment. 433 00:14:50,929 --> 00:14:52,929 Allah Almighty said: 434 00:14:52,929 --> 00:14:55,149 ﴿And [mention] Dawud and Sulayman, 435 00:14:55,149 --> 00:14:57,149 when they gave judgment 436 00:14:57,149 --> 00:14:59,149 concerning the field, when the sheep 437 00:14:59,149 --> 00:15:01,149 of the people pastured therein 438 00:15:01,149 --> 00:15:03,149 by night, 439 00:15:03,149 --> 00:15:05,149 and We were 440 00:15:05,149 --> 00:15:07,149 to their judgment 441 00:15:07,149 --> 00:15:09,149 witness. 442 00:15:09,149 --> 00:15:11,149 And We made Sulayman 443 00:15:11,149 --> 00:15:13,149 to understand it, 444 00:15:13,149 --> 00:15:15,149 and to each of them 445 00:15:15,149 --> 00:15:17,149 We gave judgment 446 00:15:17,149 --> 00:15:19,149 and knowledge. 447 00:15:19,149 --> 00:15:21,149 And We subjected along with 448 00:15:21,149 --> 00:15:23,149 Dawud the mountains, 449 00:15:23,149 --> 00:15:25,149 praising [Allah], and the birds; 450 00:15:25,149 --> 00:15:27,149 and We were 451 00:15:27,149 --> 00:15:29,149 the doers [thereof]. 452 00:15:29,149 --> 00:15:31,149 And We taught him 453 00:15:31,149 --> 00:15:33,149 the making of coats of armor 454 00:15:33,149 --> 00:15:35,149 for you to protect you 455 00:15:35,149 --> 00:15:37,149 from your battle; 456 00:15:37,149 --> 00:15:39,149 so are 457 00:15:39,149 --> 00:15:41,149 you grateful? 458 00:15:41,149 --> 00:15:43,149 And to Sulayman 459 00:15:43,149 --> 00:15:45,149 [We subjected] the wind, 460 00:15:45,149 --> 00:15:47,149 blowing forcefully, 461 00:15:47,149 --> 00:15:49,149 proceeding by his command 462 00:15:49,149 --> 00:15:51,149 toward the land which We had blessed; 463 00:15:51,149 --> 00:15:53,149 therein, 464 00:15:53,149 --> 00:15:55,149 and We were, 465 00:15:55,149 --> 00:15:57,149 of all things, 466 00:15:57,149 --> 00:15:59,149 Knowing. 467 00:15:59,149 --> 00:16:01,149 And of the devils 468 00:16:01,149 --> 00:16:03,149 were those who dived for him 469 00:16:03,149 --> 00:16:05,149 and did work 470 00:16:05,149 --> 00:16:07,149 other than that; 471 00:16:07,149 --> 00:16:09,149 and We were 472 00:16:09,149 --> 00:16:11,149 of them guardians.﴾ 473 00:16:11,149 --> 00:16:13,759 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 474 00:16:13,759 --> 00:16:15,759 also narrated to us 475 00:16:15,759 --> 00:16:17,759 another striking example 476 00:16:17,759 --> 00:16:19,860 of judicial discernment. 477 00:16:19,860 --> 00:16:21,860 Al-Bukhari 478 00:16:21,860 --> 00:16:23,860 and Muslim both recorded in their Sahihs 479 00:16:23,860 --> 00:16:25,860 from a hadith of Abu Hurayrah 480 00:16:25,860 --> 00:16:27,860 (may Allah be pleased with him), 481 00:16:27,860 --> 00:16:29,860 that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 482 00:16:29,860 --> 00:16:31,860 say: 483 00:16:31,860 --> 00:16:33,860 "There were two women, 484 00:16:33,860 --> 00:16:35,889 each having her infant son with her. 485 00:16:35,889 --> 00:16:37,889 A wolf came 486 00:16:37,889 --> 00:16:39,889 and snatched away the child of one of them. 487 00:16:39,889 --> 00:16:41,889 So one said to her companion, 488 00:16:41,889 --> 00:16:43,889 'It was only your son that it took!' 489 00:16:43,889 --> 00:16:45,889 While the other said, 490 00:16:45,889 --> 00:16:47,889 'No, it was only your son that it took!' 491 00:16:47,889 --> 00:16:49,950 They brought their dispute 492 00:16:49,950 --> 00:16:51,950 before Dawud, 493 00:16:51,950 --> 00:16:53,950 and he awarded the surviving child to the elder woman. 494 00:16:53,950 --> 00:16:55,980 They then went out to 495 00:16:55,980 --> 00:16:57,980 Sulayman ibn Dawud and informed him of the ruling. 496 00:16:57,980 --> 00:16:59,980 He said, 497 00:16:59,980 --> 00:17:01,980 'Bring me a knife, 498 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:03,980 that I may split him between the two of them!' 499 00:17:03,980 --> 00:17:05,980 At that, the younger woman cried out, 500 00:17:05,980 --> 00:17:07,980 'Do not do so, 501 00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:09,980 may Allah have mercy on you! 502 00:17:09,980 --> 00:17:12,019 He is her son!' 503 00:17:12,019 --> 00:17:15,259 So he awarded the child to the younger woman." 504 00:17:15,259 --> 00:17:17,259 Before the passing of Sulayman 505 00:17:17,259 --> 00:17:19,259 (peace be upon him), 506 00:17:19,259 --> 00:17:21,259 he undertook the reconstruction 507 00:17:21,259 --> 00:17:23,259 of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), 508 00:17:23,259 --> 00:17:25,259 which the Prophet of Allah Ya'qub 509 00:17:25,259 --> 00:17:27,259 (peace be upon him) had built 510 00:17:27,259 --> 00:17:29,259 centuries prior. 511 00:17:29,259 --> 00:17:31,259 He used to enter it 512 00:17:31,259 --> 00:17:33,259 to seclude himself in worship and prayer, 513 00:17:33,259 --> 00:17:35,259 remaining inside for a month, two months, 514 00:17:35,259 --> 00:17:37,259 a year, or two years, 515 00:17:37,259 --> 00:17:39,259 or sometimes less 516 00:17:39,259 --> 00:17:41,259 or more, 517 00:17:41,259 --> 00:17:43,259 taking in with him his food 518 00:17:43,259 --> 00:17:45,619 and drink. 519 00:17:45,619 --> 00:17:47,619 Then, one day, he (peace be upon him) 520 00:17:47,619 --> 00:17:49,619 entered the sanctuary, 521 00:17:49,619 --> 00:17:51,619 and stood in prayer, leaning 522 00:17:51,619 --> 00:17:53,710 upon his staff. 523 00:17:53,710 --> 00:17:55,710 He passed away in that state, 524 00:17:55,710 --> 00:17:57,710 yet the jinn remained unaware 525 00:17:57,710 --> 00:17:59,710 of his death. 526 00:17:59,710 --> 00:18:01,710 They continued to perform 527 00:18:01,710 --> 00:18:03,710 the arduous labor 528 00:18:03,710 --> 00:18:05,710 they had performed throughout his life, 529 00:18:05,710 --> 00:18:07,710 gazing upon him 530 00:18:07,710 --> 00:18:09,710 and assuming he was still alive. 531 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:11,710 They did not suspect anything amiss regarding his prolonged stay 532 00:18:11,710 --> 00:18:13,710 without coming out to the people, 533 00:18:13,710 --> 00:18:15,710 because of his accustomed lengthy prayers in the past. 534 00:18:15,710 --> 00:18:17,900 Thus, after his death, 535 00:18:17,900 --> 00:18:19,900 they continued working before him 536 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:21,900 for an entire year, 537 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:23,900 gripped by absolute dread 538 00:18:23,900 --> 00:18:25,900 and awe of him, 539 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:27,900 until a termite ate through his staff— 540 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:29,900 the wooden rod 541 00:18:29,900 --> 00:18:31,900 upon which he leaned— 542 00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:33,900 and his body collapsed to the ground. 543 00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:35,900 Only then did it become clear, 544 00:18:36,900 --> 00:18:38,970 and the people realized with certainty, 545 00:18:38,970 --> 00:18:40,970 that the jinn had been lying 546 00:18:40,970 --> 00:18:42,970 to them in claiming 547 00:18:42,970 --> 00:18:44,970 to possess knowledge of the unseen. 548 00:18:44,970 --> 00:18:46,970 For had they truly known the unseen, 549 00:18:46,970 --> 00:18:48,970 they would have recognized the death 550 00:18:48,970 --> 00:18:50,970 of Sulayman (peace be upon him) 551 00:18:50,970 --> 00:18:52,970 and not languished in humiliating 552 00:18:52,970 --> 00:18:54,970 torment throughout all that 553 00:18:54,970 --> 00:18:57,480 time. 554 00:18:57,480 --> 00:18:59,480 Allah Almighty said: 555 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:01,769 ﴿And when We decreed 556 00:19:01,769 --> 00:19:03,769 for him death, nothing 557 00:19:03,769 --> 00:19:05,769 indicated to them his death 558 00:19:05,769 --> 00:19:09,769 except a creature of the earth 559 00:19:09,769 --> 00:19:11,769 nothing indicated to them 560 00:19:11,769 --> 00:19:13,769 his death 561 00:19:13,769 --> 00:19:16,539 except a creature 562 00:19:16,539 --> 00:19:18,539 of the earth eating 563 00:19:18,539 --> 00:19:20,539 his staff. 564 00:19:20,539 --> 00:19:22,539 But when he fell, 565 00:19:22,539 --> 00:19:24,539 it became clear to the jinn 566 00:19:24,539 --> 00:19:26,539 that if they had 567 00:19:26,539 --> 00:19:28,539 known the unseen, 568 00:19:28,539 --> 00:19:30,539 “And when We decreed death for him, nothing showed his death to them save a creeping creature of the earth which gnawed away his staff. And when he fell the jinn saw clearly how, if they had known the Unseen, they would not have continued in despised toil.” (34:14) 569 00:19:30,539 --> 00:19:34,579 humiliating [torment].﴾ 570 00:19:34,579 --> 00:19:36,579 Noble brothers, 571 00:19:36,579 --> 00:19:38,579 the Prophet of Allah 572 00:19:38,579 --> 00:19:40,579 Sulayman (peace be upon him) is mentioned 573 00:19:40,579 --> 00:19:42,579 in the Holy Qur'an 574 00:19:42,579 --> 00:19:44,619 seventeen times, 575 00:19:44,619 --> 00:19:46,619 and his story offers us numerous 576 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:48,619 lessons and moral insights. 577 00:19:48,619 --> 00:19:51,220 Foremost among them 578 00:19:51,220 --> 00:19:53,220 was his exceptional governance 579 00:19:53,220 --> 00:19:55,220 of his realm. 580 00:19:55,220 --> 00:19:57,220 He inherited from Dawud (peace be upon him) 581 00:19:57,220 --> 00:19:59,220 a faith-based stewardship, 582 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:01,220 a formidable state, 583 00:20:01,220 --> 00:20:03,220 and a unified kingdom; 584 00:20:03,220 --> 00:20:05,220 he preserved it, 585 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:07,220 fortified it, 586 00:20:07,220 --> 00:20:09,220 expanded its borders, 587 00:20:09,220 --> 00:20:11,220 annexed new lands to it, 588 00:20:11,220 --> 00:20:13,220 and established the law of Allah within it. 589 00:20:13,220 --> 00:20:15,220 He brought prosperity to the people 590 00:20:15,220 --> 00:20:17,220 and guided them 591 00:20:17,220 --> 00:20:19,319 along the path of Allah's pleasure. 592 00:20:19,319 --> 00:20:21,319 Under his reign, the kingdom of the Children of Israel 593 00:20:21,319 --> 00:20:23,319 reached 594 00:20:23,319 --> 00:20:25,319 its absolute zenith, pinnacle, and golden age. 595 00:20:25,319 --> 00:20:27,420 But after his death, 596 00:20:27,420 --> 00:20:29,420 the kingdom began to unravel, 597 00:20:29,420 --> 00:20:31,420 and the people strayed 598 00:20:31,420 --> 00:20:33,420 away from Allah's pleasure, 599 00:20:33,420 --> 00:20:35,420 they pursued the path of disobedience to Him, 600 00:20:35,420 --> 00:20:37,420 and their affair ultimately ended 601 00:20:37,420 --> 00:20:39,420 with the demise of this state. 602 00:20:39,420 --> 00:20:42,309 Inspecting the subjects and the troops 603 00:20:42,309 --> 00:20:44,309 is among the duties 604 00:20:44,309 --> 00:20:46,309 of those in authority, 605 00:20:46,309 --> 00:20:48,309 as is punishing the violators 606 00:20:48,309 --> 00:20:50,309 among them without showing leniency 607 00:20:50,309 --> 00:20:52,309 in that regard, 608 00:20:52,309 --> 00:20:54,309 while also allowing the absent person an excuse 609 00:20:54,309 --> 00:20:56,309 and exercising deliberation 610 00:20:56,309 --> 00:20:58,309 before passing judgment upon him, 611 00:20:58,309 --> 00:21:00,309 just as Solomon (peace be upon him) did 612 00:21:00,309 --> 00:21:02,309 with the hoopoe. 613 00:21:02,309 --> 00:21:05,430 Solomon's steadfastness (peace be upon him) 614 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:07,430 upon the true principle: 615 00:21:07,430 --> 00:21:09,500 for when there came to him 616 00:21:09,500 --> 00:21:11,500 the messenger of the Queen of Sheba bearing gifts, 617 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:13,500 he said to him: 618 00:21:13,500 --> 00:21:15,500 "Do you provide me with wealth? 619 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:17,500 Yet what Allah has granted me 620 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:19,529 is far better!" 621 00:21:19,529 --> 00:21:21,529 Thus, this response makes clear to us 622 00:21:21,529 --> 00:21:23,529 his firmness upon his creed 623 00:21:23,529 --> 00:21:25,529 and his principle, 624 00:21:25,529 --> 00:21:27,529 his disregard for worldly allurements, 625 00:21:27,529 --> 00:21:29,529 the immense strength that he 626 00:21:29,529 --> 00:21:31,529 possessed, 627 00:21:31,529 --> 00:21:33,529 and his intensifying protective jealousy 628 00:21:33,529 --> 00:21:35,529 for the religion of Allah, 629 00:21:35,529 --> 00:21:37,529 which they sought to barter 630 00:21:37,529 --> 00:21:39,529 for a fleeting worldly gain. 631 00:21:39,529 --> 00:21:41,529 For he was not among those kings 632 00:21:41,529 --> 00:21:43,529 who are seduced by gifts, 633 00:21:43,529 --> 00:21:45,529 nor deterred 634 00:21:45,529 --> 00:21:47,529 from pursuing noble heights by praise 635 00:21:47,529 --> 00:21:50,710 or flattery. 636 00:21:50,710 --> 00:21:52,710 If the power of created beings 637 00:21:52,710 --> 00:21:54,710 can reach the extent of bringing 638 00:21:54,710 --> 00:21:56,710 the throne of the Queen of Sheba from Yemen 639 00:21:56,710 --> 00:21:58,710 to the Holy Land 640 00:21:58,710 --> 00:22:00,710 in the blink of an eye 641 00:22:00,710 --> 00:22:02,710 through the power of the Creator, Mighty and Majestic, 642 00:22:02,710 --> 00:22:05,740 then the subjugation of the jinn 643 00:22:05,740 --> 00:22:07,740 and the devils 644 00:22:07,740 --> 00:22:09,740 shall not be granted to any human 645 00:22:09,740 --> 00:22:11,740 after Solomon (peace be upon him). 646 00:22:11,740 --> 00:22:13,740 Whoever claims to possess that 647 00:22:13,740 --> 00:22:15,740 is either 648 00:22:15,740 --> 00:22:17,740 a liar in his claim, 649 00:22:17,740 --> 00:22:19,740 or he is exchanging 650 00:22:19,740 --> 00:22:21,740 mutual benefits with them 651 00:22:21,740 --> 00:22:23,740 after having disbelieved 652 00:22:23,740 --> 00:22:25,740 in Allah the Exalted, 653 00:22:25,740 --> 00:22:27,740 practicing sorcery 654 00:22:27,740 --> 00:22:29,740 with the devils aiding him in that. 655 00:22:29,740 --> 00:22:32,500 Solomon (peace be upon him) gave precedence 656 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,500 in his supplication to seeking 657 00:22:34,500 --> 00:22:36,500 forgiveness over seeking kingship, 658 00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:38,500 in order to indicate 659 00:22:38,500 --> 00:22:40,500 that it was of paramount importance to him, 660 00:22:40,500 --> 00:22:42,500 and to demonstrate 661 00:22:42,500 --> 00:22:44,500 that seeking forgiveness 662 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:46,500 is a cause for opening the doors 663 00:22:46,500 --> 00:22:48,500 of good fortune in this world. 664 00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:51,500 Solomon (peace be upon him) sought 665 00:22:51,500 --> 00:22:53,500 worldly dominion and kingship— 666 00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:55,500 despite their insignificance 667 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:57,500 compared to the Hereafter 668 00:22:57,500 --> 00:22:59,500 and its eternal bliss— 669 00:22:59,500 --> 00:23:01,500 only because he intended thereby 670 00:23:01,500 --> 00:23:03,500 to serve the religion of Allah the Exalted, 671 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:05,500 raise His Word high 672 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:07,500 in the earth, 673 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:09,500 be empowered to render rights 674 00:23:09,500 --> 00:23:11,500 unto their rightful owners, 675 00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:13,500 spread justice among the people, 676 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:15,500 grant redress to the wronged, 677 00:23:15,500 --> 00:23:17,500 aid the needy, 678 00:23:17,500 --> 00:23:19,500 and implement the law of Allah 679 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:22,200 in the most complete manner. 680 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:24,200 The jinn possess no knowledge 681 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,200 of the unseen; 682 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,200 for after Solomon (peace be upon him) passed away 683 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,200 while standing leaning upon his staff, 684 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,200 they did not know— 685 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:34,200 that is, the jinn did not realize his death— 686 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,200 until after 687 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:38,200 a creature of the earth ate away his staff 688 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:42,309 and he fell to the ground. 689 00:23:42,309 --> 00:23:44,309 This discourse shall be continued, 690 00:23:44,309 --> 00:23:46,309 if Allah wills. 691 00:23:46,309 --> 00:23:48,309 And Allah knows best. 692 00:23:48,309 --> 00:23:50,309 All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 693 00:23:50,309 --> 00:23:52,309 and may Allah send blessings and peace 694 00:23:52,309 --> 00:23:54,309 upon our Prophet Muhammad, 695 00:23:54,309 --> 00:23:56,309 and upon his family and companions, 696 00:23:56,309 --> 00:23:59,690 all together. 697 00:23:59,690 --> 00:24:01,690 Stories of the Prophets.