WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:02.459 Stories of the Prophets, 00:00:02.459 --> 00:00:05.580 stories of the Prophets, 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:07.580 peace be upon them. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:09.619 May Allah's blessings 00:00:09.619 --> 00:00:11.619 followed by 00:00:11.619 --> 00:00:13.619 peace 00:00:13.619 --> 00:00:15.619 be upon the best of all creation, 00:00:15.619 --> 00:00:17.620 all of them. 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:20.190 Those of firm resolve, 00:00:20.190 --> 00:00:22.190 their status 00:00:22.190 --> 00:00:24.480 is exalted. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:26.480 The story of Sulayman (Solomon), 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:28.480 peace be upon him. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:32.530 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:32.530 --> 00:00:34.530 All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 00:00:34.530 --> 00:00:36.689 and may peace and blessings 00:00:36.689 --> 00:00:38.689 be upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:00:38.689 --> 00:00:40.689 and upon his family and Companions, 00:00:40.689 --> 00:00:42.689 all of them. 00:00:42.689 --> 00:00:44.689 To proceed: 00:00:44.689 --> 00:00:47.140 The Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:49.140 peace be upon him, 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:51.140 was deeply devoted to striving 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:53.140 in the path of Allah 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:55.140 and spreading monotheism throughout the earth. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:00:57.329 We have already covered his calling 00:00:57.329 --> 00:00:59.329 of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, 00:00:59.329 --> 00:01:01.329 until she embraced Islam. 00:01:01.329 --> 00:01:03.329 We also covered 00:01:03.329 --> 00:01:05.329 his inspection of the noble, swift 00:01:05.329 --> 00:01:07.329 horses, 00:01:07.329 --> 00:01:09.359 prepared for striving in Allah's cause. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:11.359 But when they distracted him from the prayer 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:13.359 and the remembrance of his Lord until the sun had set 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:15.359 beneath the horizon, 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.359 he slaughtered them, offering them 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:19.359 as food for the needy. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:21.579 Then Sulayman, 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:23.579 peace be upon him, said, 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:25.579 "Tonight I will surely go round to 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:27.579 a hundred of my wives, 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:29.579 each of whom will bear a knight 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:31.579 who will fight in the path of Allah." 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:33.650 But he did not say, 00:01:33.650 --> 00:01:35.650 peace be upon him, "if Allah wills," 00:01:35.650 --> 00:01:37.650 out of mere forgetfulness. 00:01:37.650 --> 00:01:39.650 This does not mean that he 00:01:39.650 --> 00:01:41.650 had failed to entrust the matter to Allah 00:01:41.650 --> 00:01:43.650 in his heart; rather, he simply forgot 00:01:43.650 --> 00:01:45.650 to utter "if Allah wills" 00:01:45.650 --> 00:01:47.650 with his tongue. 00:01:47.650 --> 00:01:49.650 This incident was a trial 00:01:49.650 --> 00:01:51.650 for Sulayman, peace be upon him, 00:01:51.650 --> 00:01:53.650 from Allah Almighty, and a test. 00:01:53.650 --> 00:01:56.030 After he had gone round to them, 00:01:56.030 --> 00:01:58.030 none of them became pregnant 00:01:58.030 --> 00:02:00.030 except for one woman, 00:02:00.030 --> 00:02:02.030 and she gave birth to only a half-formed child. 00:02:02.030 --> 00:02:04.420 So the midwives brought 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:06.420 it to him 00:02:06.420 --> 00:02:08.419 as he sat upon his throne, 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:10.419 and they placed it before 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:12.419 him so that he might see it. 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:16.020 Our Prophet, 00:02:16.020 --> 00:02:18.020 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, swore 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:20.020 that had the Prophet of Allah, 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:22.020 Sulayman, peace be upon him, 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:24.020 made the exception in his speech 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:26.020 and said, "If Allah 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:28.020 wills," Allah would have blessed him 00:02:28.020 --> 00:02:30.020 with those one hundred knights, 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:32.020 just as he had intended, 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:34.020 and they all would have fought in the path of 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:37.259 Allah. Sulayman, peace be upon him, realized 00:02:37.259 --> 00:02:39.259 his mistake, 00:02:39.259 --> 00:02:41.259 and knew that his oversight 00:02:41.259 --> 00:02:43.259 in mentioning Allah and deferring 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:45.259 all will to Him 00:02:45.259 --> 00:02:47.259 was the reason he was not granted 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:49.259 the sons who would fight in 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:51.259 the path of Allah. So he turned 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:53.259 in repentance to Allah, 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:55.259 prostrating humbly before Him, 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:57.259 imploring his Lord to bestow 00:02:57.259 --> 00:02:59.259 forgiveness upon him, 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:01.259 and to grant him a kingdom 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:03.259 such as would not belong to anyone after him, 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:05.259 which he would use as an aid 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:07.259 to establish the religion throughout the earth. 00:03:07.259 --> 00:03:09.419 So Allah answered 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:11.419 his supplication, 00:03:11.419 --> 00:03:13.419 and granted him in place of the horses 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:15.419 the wind, both gentle and stormy, 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:17.419 carrying him and those 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:19.419 with him wherever he willed. 00:03:19.419 --> 00:03:21.520 And He granted him in place of 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:23.520 the knights 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:25.520 the subjugation of the jinn 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:27.520 and the devils, 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:30.060 who carried out whatever works he desired. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:32.060 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.099 "Indeed, 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:36.099 you will never leave anything 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:38.099 out of fear of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:40.099 except that Allah will give you 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:42.319 something better than it." 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:44.319 Al-Hasan al-Basri, 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:46.379 may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:48.379 "When Sulayman slaughtered the horses 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:50.379 out of wrath for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 00:03:50.379 --> 00:03:52.379 Allah compensated him 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:54.379 with something better and faster: 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:56.379 the wind, 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:58.379 whose morning journey was a month's travel, 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.449 and whose afternoon journey was a month's travel." 00:04:00.449 --> 00:04:02.449 That is, its journey in the first half of 00:04:02.449 --> 00:04:04.449 the day covered the distance of an entire month 00:04:04.449 --> 00:04:06.449 by the ordinary pace 00:04:06.449 --> 00:04:08.449 of people, 00:04:08.449 --> 00:04:10.449 and its journey in the latter half of the day 00:04:10.449 --> 00:04:12.449 was likewise a month's travel. 00:04:12.449 --> 00:04:14.509 Thus, in a single day, 00:04:14.509 --> 00:04:16.509 it covered the distance of 00:04:16.509 --> 00:04:20.110 two months' journey. 00:04:20.110 --> 00:04:22.110 It was also reported that Sulayman, 00:04:22.110 --> 00:04:24.110 peace be upon him, had a wooden platform 00:04:24.110 --> 00:04:26.110 upon which was placed 00:04:26.110 --> 00:04:28.110 everything he required 00:04:28.110 --> 00:04:30.110 for the affairs of the kingdom: 00:04:30.110 --> 00:04:32.110 horses, camels, tents, 00:04:32.110 --> 00:04:34.110 and soldiers. 00:04:34.110 --> 00:04:36.110 Then he would command the wind to bear it, 00:04:36.110 --> 00:04:38.110 so it would sweep beneath it, 00:04:38.110 --> 00:04:40.110 carry it, 00:04:40.110 --> 00:04:42.110 lift it up, and travel with it. 00:04:42.110 --> 00:04:44.139 It blew softly 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:46.139 and gently whenever he willed, 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:48.139 or became a raging, 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:50.139 swift, and forceful gale 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.139 whenever he willed, 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:54.139 while the birds shaded him from the heat 00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:56.139 to wherever he willed 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:58.720 across the earth. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.259 Allah Almighty said: 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:03.259 "And We certainly tried 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:05.259 Sulayman and placed 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:07.259 upon his throne a body; 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:09.259 then he turned in repentance. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:11.259 He said, 'My Lord, 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) 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:15.259 a kingdom that will not belong 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:17.259 to anyone 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:19.259 after me. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:21.259 Indeed, You are 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:23.259 the Bestower.' 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:25.259 So We subjected to him 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:27.259 the wind blowing 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:29.259 by his command, gently, 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:31.259 wherever he directed, 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.259 and the devils: 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:35.259 every builder 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.259 and diver, 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.259 and others bound 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:43.259 in fetters. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:45.259 'This is Our gift, 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:47.259 so bestow 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:49.259 or withhold 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:51.259 without account.' 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.259 And indeed, for him 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:55.259 in Our presence 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:57.259 is a near access and a good 00:05:57.259 --> 00:05:59.620 place of return." 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:01.620 And Allah subjected the jinn 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.620 and the devils to serve Sulayman, 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:05.620 peace be upon him, 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:07.620 as laborers doing whatever he 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:09.620 wished, never slacking 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:11.620 nor defying his obedience. 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:13.709 They made for him 00:06:13.709 --> 00:06:15.709 whatever he willed of sanctuaries— 00:06:15.709 --> 00:06:17.709 which are fine places for worship 00:06:17.709 --> 00:06:19.709 and dignified assembly halls— 00:06:19.709 --> 00:06:21.709 and they made for him 00:06:21.709 --> 00:06:23.709 sculptures, 00:06:23.709 --> 00:06:25.709 meaning carved images upon the walls, 00:06:25.709 --> 00:06:27.709 which was permissible 00:06:27.709 --> 00:06:29.709 in their religious law and creed. 00:06:29.709 --> 00:06:31.709 They also made for him 00:06:31.709 --> 00:06:33.709 basins like reservoirs, 00:06:33.709 --> 00:06:35.709 which were massive troughs 00:06:35.709 --> 00:06:37.709 in which water was gathered 00:06:37.709 --> 00:06:39.709 so that animals, 00:06:39.709 --> 00:06:41.709 birds, and others 00:06:41.709 --> 00:06:43.709 could drink from them, 00:06:43.709 --> 00:06:45.709 as well as firmly anchored cooking pots, 00:06:45.709 --> 00:06:47.740 which were enormous cauldrons 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.740 wherein food was prepared, 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:51.740 so huge that they remained stationary, 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:53.740 never moved from 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:55.839 their proper places. 00:06:55.839 --> 00:06:57.839 And among the jinn and devils, 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.839 there were those whom Solomon (peace be upon him) subjugated 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:01.839 for construction work, 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:03.839 so they built whatever he wished for him 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:05.839 of houses and palaces. 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:07.839 And among them were those whom he commanded to dive 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.839 into the seas, 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:11.839 extracting the jewels found there, 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:13.839 pearls, 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:15.839 and other precious things that cannot be found 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:18.060 anywhere else. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.060 And the matter was left to Solomon 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:22.060 (peace be upon him), 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:24.060 to grant favor to whomever of them he wished 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:26.060 by releasing them, 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:28.100 or to withhold whomever he wished. 00:07:28.100 --> 00:07:30.100 And whoever among them disobeyed his command, 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:32.100 Solomon would punish them 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:34.100 in this world by shackling them 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.100 in chains 00:07:36.100 --> 00:07:38.100 and exiling them to remote islands and seas; 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:40.100 while in the Hereafter, 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:42.100 Allah will make them taste the torment 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:45.439 of the Blaze. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:47.439 And just as Allah made iron pliable 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.439 for David (peace be upon him), 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.439 fashioning from it whatever he wished, 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:53.439 Allah likewise caused to flow 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.439 for Solomon (peace be upon him) 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.439 the spring of molten copper, 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.439 which is melted brass. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:01.439 It was made to flow for him over the distance of a three days' 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:03.439 journey, 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.439 just as a spring of water flows, 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.439 and it was in the land of Yemen. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.439 It was narrated that copper 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:11.439 had never melted for anyone before him, 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:13.439 and indeed, people today 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.439 only benefit from it 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.439 through what Allah Almighty brought forth 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.439 for Solomon (peace be upon him). 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.600 Qatadah said: 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.660 "Allah caused a spring to flow for him 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:25.660 which he could use for whatever 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:27.660 he wished, as a sign 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:29.980 of his prophethood." 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:31.980 Allah Almighty said: 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:33.980 "And to Solomon [We subjected] 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.980 the wind—its morning stride was a month's journey, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.980 and its evening stride was a month's journey. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:39.980 And We caused to flow for him 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.980 a spring of molten copper. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.980 And of the jinn 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.980 were those who worked before 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.980 him by the permission of his Lord. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:49.980 And whoever of them 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:51.980 deviated from Our command, 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.980 We will make him taste of the punishment 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:55.980 of the Blaze. 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.980 They made for him 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:59.980 whatever he wished 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:01.980 of sanctuaries, 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.980 statues, 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:05.980 basins 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.980 like reservoirs, 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.980 and stationary cooking pots. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.980 'Work, O family of David, 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.980 in gratitude!' 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:17.980 And few 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:19.980 of My servants are grateful." 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:22.690 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah 00:09:22.690 --> 00:09:24.690 (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:09:24.690 --> 00:09:26.690 from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:09:26.690 --> 00:09:28.690 who said: 00:09:28.690 --> 00:09:30.690 "An 'ifrit of the jinn 00:09:30.690 --> 00:09:32.690 suddenly escaped and came at me last night 00:09:32.690 --> 00:09:34.690 to interrupt my prayer, 00:09:34.690 --> 00:09:36.690 but Allah gave me power over him. 00:09:36.690 --> 00:09:38.690 So I seized him and wanted 00:09:38.690 --> 00:09:40.690 to tie him to one of the pillars 00:09:40.690 --> 00:09:42.690 of the mosque 00:09:42.690 --> 00:09:44.690 so that in the morning all of you 00:09:44.690 --> 00:09:46.690 could look at him, 00:09:46.690 --> 00:09:48.690 and so that the children 00:09:48.690 --> 00:09:50.820 of the people of Medina could play with him. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:52.820 But then I remembered the supplication of my brother Solomon: 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:54.820 'My Lord, grant me 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:56.820 a kingdom such as shall not belong 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.820 to anyone after me.' 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.820 So I sent him away disgraced." 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:04.220 Allah, 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:06.220 the Exalted and Majestic, in His profound wisdom, willed 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:08.220 to test the people, 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:10.220 so He sent down to the land of Babylon, 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:12.220 in Iraq, 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:14.220 two angels: 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:16.220 Harut and Marut, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:18.220 who taught magic to the people. 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:20.350 And no one 00:10:20.350 --> 00:10:22.350 would come to them wishing 00:10:22.350 --> 00:10:24.350 to learn the knowledge of magic from them 00:10:24.350 --> 00:10:26.350 except that they advised him, saying: 00:10:26.350 --> 00:10:28.350 "We are only 00:10:28.350 --> 00:10:30.350 a trial, so do not disbelieve 00:10:30.350 --> 00:10:32.350 by learning magic from us." 00:10:32.350 --> 00:10:34.480 So some would turn back, 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:36.480 while others would learn 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:38.480 magic from them, 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:40.610 and thus magic spread among 00:10:40.610 --> 00:10:42.610 the people. 00:10:42.610 --> 00:10:44.610 The devils were also 00:10:44.610 --> 00:10:46.669 teaching magic to the people. 00:10:46.669 --> 00:10:48.669 So when Solomon 00:10:48.669 --> 00:10:50.669 (peace be upon him) came 00:10:50.669 --> 00:10:52.669 and Allah subjected to him the jinn 00:10:52.669 --> 00:10:54.669 and the devils, he began 00:10:54.669 --> 00:10:56.669 to fight against magic and sorcerers. 00:10:56.669 --> 00:10:58.669 He would seize whatever 00:10:58.669 --> 00:11:00.669 they possessed of occult knowledge, books, 00:11:00.669 --> 00:11:02.669 spells, and talismans, 00:11:02.669 --> 00:11:04.669 and bury them under his throne, 00:11:04.669 --> 00:11:06.669 where the devils 00:11:06.669 --> 00:11:08.669 dared not approach. 00:11:08.669 --> 00:11:10.860 Then, when he passed 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.860 away (peace be upon him), 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.860 the devils dug up what was beneath 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.860 his throne 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.860 and falsely claimed against him 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.860 that he only controlled the jinn 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.860 and devils by means of this 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:24.860 magic; so they accused him 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.860 of disbelief—refuge is sought with Allah. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.929 And the Jews continued 00:11:28.929 --> 00:11:30.929 to consider him a disbeliever, 00:11:30.929 --> 00:11:32.929 until Allah Almighty exonerated him 00:11:32.929 --> 00:11:34.929 in the Noble Qur'an. 00:11:34.929 --> 00:11:37.179 Allah Almighty said: 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:39.659 "And they followed 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:41.659 what the devils recited 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:43.659 during the reign of Solomon. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:45.659 And Solomon did not 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:47.659 disbelieve, but 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:49.659 the devils 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:51.659 disbelieved, 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:53.659 teaching the people 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:55.659 magic 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.659 and teaching the people 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:59.659 magic and that which 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.659 was revealed to the two angels 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.659 in Babylon, Harut 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:05.659 and Marut. 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.659 But the two angels did not teach anyone unless they said, 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) 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.659 'We are only 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.659 a trial, 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.659 so do not disbelieve.' 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:17.659 And from them people learn 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.659 that by which they cause separation 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:21.659 between a man and his wife. 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:23.659 But they do not 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:25.659 harm 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.659 by it 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:29.659 anyone 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:31.659 except by the permission of Allah. 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.659 And the people learn 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:35.659 what harms them 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.659 and does not benefit them. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:39.659 And certainly, 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.659 they knew that whoever purchased it 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:43.659 would have in the Hereafter 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.659 no share of good. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.659 And wretched is that for which they sold 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.659 themselves, 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:51.659 if they only 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.659 knew." 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:57.100 Solomon 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:59.100 (peace be upon him) 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:01.100 was keen to attend the judicial assemblies 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:03.100 of his father David (peace be upon him), 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:05.100 to witness his judging 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:07.100 among the people. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:09.100 He would sometimes suggest 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:11.100 to his father that 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:13.100 had he been the judge in that 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:15.100 case, he would have ruled differently 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:17.419 from how David had ruled. 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:19.419 The Noble Qur'an mentioned 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.419 the case of the cultivated field 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:23.419 in this regard, when sheep pastured 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:25.460 in it at night; 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:27.460 and its summary is 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:29.460 that two men entered 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:31.460 upon David (peace be upon him): 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.460 one of them was the owner 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.460 of the crops, and the other 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:37.460 was the owner of the sheep. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.460 The owner of the crops said: 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:41.460 "O Prophet of Allah, 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:43.460 "This man's sheep wandered 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:45.460 into my crops by night, 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:47.549 leaving nothing behind." 00:13:47.549 --> 00:13:49.549 So Dawud (peace be upon him) ruled 00:13:49.549 --> 00:13:51.549 in favor of the crop owner, 00:13:51.549 --> 00:13:53.549 awarding him his opponent's sheep in compensation 00:13:53.549 --> 00:13:55.809 for destroying his harvest. 00:13:55.809 --> 00:13:57.809 But as the two litigants were leaving, 00:13:57.809 --> 00:13:59.809 they met Sulayman 00:13:59.809 --> 00:14:01.809 (peace be upon him), 00:14:01.809 --> 00:14:03.870 and informed him of his father's verdict. 00:14:03.870 --> 00:14:05.870 He remarked, 00:14:05.870 --> 00:14:07.870 "Had I been the judge, 00:14:07.870 --> 00:14:10.029 I would have ruled differently." 00:14:10.029 --> 00:14:12.029 Word of this reached Dawud 00:14:12.029 --> 00:14:14.029 (peace be upon him), 00:14:14.029 --> 00:14:16.029 so he summoned him and asked, 00:14:16.029 --> 00:14:18.029 "How would you have judged?" 00:14:18.029 --> 00:14:20.190 He replied, 00:14:20.190 --> 00:14:22.190 "I saw a verdict far more beneficial to both parties: 00:14:22.190 --> 00:14:24.289 hand over the sheep 00:14:24.289 --> 00:14:26.289 to the crop owner 00:14:26.289 --> 00:14:28.289 so he may benefit from them, 00:14:28.289 --> 00:14:30.289 and hand over the damaged land to the owner of the sheep 00:14:30.289 --> 00:14:32.289 to cultivate and care for it 00:14:32.289 --> 00:14:34.289 until it is restored to its original state. 00:14:34.289 --> 00:14:36.289 Then, each party 00:14:36.289 --> 00:14:38.289 shall return to the other 00:14:38.289 --> 00:14:40.289 what was placed under his care; 00:14:40.289 --> 00:14:42.289 the crop owner will reclaim 00:14:42.289 --> 00:14:44.289 his land, and the shepherd 00:14:44.289 --> 00:14:46.379 his sheep." 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.379 Dawud (peace be upon him) was deeply impressed by this, 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.929 and adopted it as his judgment. 00:14:50.929 --> 00:14:52.929 Allah Almighty said: 00:14:52.929 --> 00:14:55.149 ﴿And [mention] Dawud and Sulayman, 00:14:55.149 --> 00:14:57.149 when they gave judgment 00:14:57.149 --> 00:14:59.149 concerning the field, when the sheep 00:14:59.149 --> 00:15:01.149 of the people pastured therein 00:15:01.149 --> 00:15:03.149 by night, 00:15:03.149 --> 00:15:05.149 and We were 00:15:05.149 --> 00:15:07.149 to their judgment 00:15:07.149 --> 00:15:09.149 witness. 00:15:09.149 --> 00:15:11.149 And We made Sulayman 00:15:11.149 --> 00:15:13.149 to understand it, 00:15:13.149 --> 00:15:15.149 and to each of them 00:15:15.149 --> 00:15:17.149 We gave judgment 00:15:17.149 --> 00:15:19.149 and knowledge. 00:15:19.149 --> 00:15:21.149 And We subjected along with 00:15:21.149 --> 00:15:23.149 Dawud the mountains, 00:15:23.149 --> 00:15:25.149 praising [Allah], and the birds; 00:15:25.149 --> 00:15:27.149 and We were 00:15:27.149 --> 00:15:29.149 the doers [thereof]. 00:15:29.149 --> 00:15:31.149 And We taught him 00:15:31.149 --> 00:15:33.149 the making of coats of armor 00:15:33.149 --> 00:15:35.149 for you to protect you 00:15:35.149 --> 00:15:37.149 from your battle; 00:15:37.149 --> 00:15:39.149 so are 00:15:39.149 --> 00:15:41.149 you grateful? 00:15:41.149 --> 00:15:43.149 And to Sulayman 00:15:43.149 --> 00:15:45.149 [We subjected] the wind, 00:15:45.149 --> 00:15:47.149 blowing forcefully, 00:15:47.149 --> 00:15:49.149 proceeding by his command 00:15:49.149 --> 00:15:51.149 toward the land which We had blessed; 00:15:51.149 --> 00:15:53.149 therein, 00:15:53.149 --> 00:15:55.149 and We were, 00:15:55.149 --> 00:15:57.149 of all things, 00:15:57.149 --> 00:15:59.149 Knowing. 00:15:59.149 --> 00:16:01.149 And of the devils 00:16:01.149 --> 00:16:03.149 were those who dived for him 00:16:03.149 --> 00:16:05.149 and did work 00:16:05.149 --> 00:16:07.149 other than that; 00:16:07.149 --> 00:16:09.149 and We were 00:16:09.149 --> 00:16:11.149 of them guardians.﴾ 00:16:11.149 --> 00:16:13.759 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.759 also narrated to us 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.759 another striking example 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.860 of judicial discernment. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.860 Al-Bukhari 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.860 and Muslim both recorded in their Sahihs 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.860 from a hadith of Abu Hurayrah 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.860 (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.860 that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.860 say: 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.860 "There were two women, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.889 each having her infant son with her. 00:16:35.889 --> 00:16:37.889 A wolf came 00:16:37.889 --> 00:16:39.889 and snatched away the child of one of them. 00:16:39.889 --> 00:16:41.889 So one said to her companion, 00:16:41.889 --> 00:16:43.889 'It was only your son that it took!' 00:16:43.889 --> 00:16:45.889 While the other said, 00:16:45.889 --> 00:16:47.889 'No, it was only your son that it took!' 00:16:47.889 --> 00:16:49.950 They brought their dispute 00:16:49.950 --> 00:16:51.950 before Dawud, 00:16:51.950 --> 00:16:53.950 and he awarded the surviving child to the elder woman. 00:16:53.950 --> 00:16:55.980 They then went out to 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.980 Sulayman ibn Dawud and informed him of the ruling. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.980 He said, 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:01.980 'Bring me a knife, 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:03.980 that I may split him between the two of them!' 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.980 At that, the younger woman cried out, 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.980 'Do not do so, 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.980 may Allah have mercy on you! 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:12.019 He is her son!' 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:15.259 So he awarded the child to the younger woman." 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.259 Before the passing of Sulayman 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:19.259 (peace be upon him), 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:21.259 he undertook the reconstruction 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:23.259 of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:25.259 which the Prophet of Allah Ya'qub 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:27.259 (peace be upon him) had built 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:29.259 centuries prior. 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:31.259 He used to enter it 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:33.259 to seclude himself in worship and prayer, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:35.259 remaining inside for a month, two months, 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:37.259 a year, or two years, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:39.259 or sometimes less 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:41.259 or more, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.259 taking in with him his food 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.619 and drink. 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:47.619 Then, one day, he (peace be upon him) 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:49.619 entered the sanctuary, 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:51.619 and stood in prayer, leaning 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:53.710 upon his staff. 00:17:53.710 --> 00:17:55.710 He passed away in that state, 00:17:55.710 --> 00:17:57.710 yet the jinn remained unaware 00:17:57.710 --> 00:17:59.710 of his death. 00:17:59.710 --> 00:18:01.710 They continued to perform 00:18:01.710 --> 00:18:03.710 the arduous labor 00:18:03.710 --> 00:18:05.710 they had performed throughout his life, 00:18:05.710 --> 00:18:07.710 gazing upon him 00:18:07.710 --> 00:18:09.710 and assuming he was still alive. 00:18:09.710 --> 00:18:11.710 They did not suspect anything amiss regarding his prolonged stay 00:18:11.710 --> 00:18:13.710 without coming out to the people, 00:18:13.710 --> 00:18:15.710 because of his accustomed lengthy prayers in the past. 00:18:15.710 --> 00:18:17.900 Thus, after his death, 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.900 they continued working before him 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:21.900 for an entire year, 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:23.900 gripped by absolute dread 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.900 and awe of him, 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.900 until a termite ate through his staff— 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:29.900 the wooden rod 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.900 upon which he leaned— 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.900 and his body collapsed to the ground. 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.900 Only then did it become clear, 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:38.970 and the people realized with certainty, 00:18:38.970 --> 00:18:40.970 that the jinn had been lying 00:18:40.970 --> 00:18:42.970 to them in claiming 00:18:42.970 --> 00:18:44.970 to possess knowledge of the unseen. 00:18:44.970 --> 00:18:46.970 For had they truly known the unseen, 00:18:46.970 --> 00:18:48.970 they would have recognized the death 00:18:48.970 --> 00:18:50.970 of Sulayman (peace be upon him) 00:18:50.970 --> 00:18:52.970 and not languished in humiliating 00:18:52.970 --> 00:18:54.970 torment throughout all that 00:18:54.970 --> 00:18:57.480 time. 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:59.480 Allah Almighty said: 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.769 ﴿And when We decreed 00:19:01.769 --> 00:19:03.769 for him death, nothing 00:19:03.769 --> 00:19:05.769 indicated to them his death 00:19:05.769 --> 00:19:09.769 except a creature of the earth 00:19:09.769 --> 00:19:11.769 nothing indicated to them 00:19:11.769 --> 00:19:13.769 his death 00:19:13.769 --> 00:19:16.539 except a creature 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:18.539 of the earth eating 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.539 his staff. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.539 But when he fell, 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:24.539 it became clear to the jinn 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:26.539 that if they had 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.539 known the unseen, 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) 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:34.579 humiliating [torment].﴾ 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.579 Noble brothers, 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:38.579 the Prophet of Allah 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.579 Sulayman (peace be upon him) is mentioned 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:42.579 in the Holy Qur'an 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:44.619 seventeen times, 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:46.619 and his story offers us numerous 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:48.619 lessons and moral insights. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:51.220 Foremost among them 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:53.220 was his exceptional governance 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:55.220 of his realm. 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:57.220 He inherited from Dawud (peace be upon him) 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:59.220 a faith-based stewardship, 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:01.220 a formidable state, 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.220 and a unified kingdom; 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:05.220 he preserved it, 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:07.220 fortified it, 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:09.220 expanded its borders, 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:11.220 annexed new lands to it, 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:13.220 and established the law of Allah within it. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:15.220 He brought prosperity to the people 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:17.220 and guided them 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:19.319 along the path of Allah's pleasure. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.319 Under his reign, the kingdom of the Children of Israel 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:23.319 reached 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:25.319 its absolute zenith, pinnacle, and golden age. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:27.420 But after his death, 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:29.420 the kingdom began to unravel, 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:31.420 and the people strayed 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:33.420 away from Allah's pleasure, 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:35.420 they pursued the path of disobedience to Him, 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:37.420 and their affair ultimately ended 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.420 with the demise of this state. 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.309 Inspecting the subjects and the troops 00:20:42.309 --> 00:20:44.309 is among the duties 00:20:44.309 --> 00:20:46.309 of those in authority, 00:20:46.309 --> 00:20:48.309 as is punishing the violators 00:20:48.309 --> 00:20:50.309 among them without showing leniency 00:20:50.309 --> 00:20:52.309 in that regard, 00:20:52.309 --> 00:20:54.309 while also allowing the absent person an excuse 00:20:54.309 --> 00:20:56.309 and exercising deliberation 00:20:56.309 --> 00:20:58.309 before passing judgment upon him, 00:20:58.309 --> 00:21:00.309 just as Solomon (peace be upon him) did 00:21:00.309 --> 00:21:02.309 with the hoopoe. 00:21:02.309 --> 00:21:05.430 Solomon's steadfastness (peace be upon him) 00:21:05.430 --> 00:21:07.430 upon the true principle: 00:21:07.430 --> 00:21:09.500 for when there came to him 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.500 the messenger of the Queen of Sheba bearing gifts, 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.500 he said to him: 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.500 "Do you provide me with wealth? 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:17.500 Yet what Allah has granted me 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.529 is far better!" 00:21:19.529 --> 00:21:21.529 Thus, this response makes clear to us 00:21:21.529 --> 00:21:23.529 his firmness upon his creed 00:21:23.529 --> 00:21:25.529 and his principle, 00:21:25.529 --> 00:21:27.529 his disregard for worldly allurements, 00:21:27.529 --> 00:21:29.529 the immense strength that he 00:21:29.529 --> 00:21:31.529 possessed, 00:21:31.529 --> 00:21:33.529 and his intensifying protective jealousy 00:21:33.529 --> 00:21:35.529 for the religion of Allah, 00:21:35.529 --> 00:21:37.529 which they sought to barter 00:21:37.529 --> 00:21:39.529 for a fleeting worldly gain. 00:21:39.529 --> 00:21:41.529 For he was not among those kings 00:21:41.529 --> 00:21:43.529 who are seduced by gifts, 00:21:43.529 --> 00:21:45.529 nor deterred 00:21:45.529 --> 00:21:47.529 from pursuing noble heights by praise 00:21:47.529 --> 00:21:50.710 or flattery. 00:21:50.710 --> 00:21:52.710 If the power of created beings 00:21:52.710 --> 00:21:54.710 can reach the extent of bringing 00:21:54.710 --> 00:21:56.710 the throne of the Queen of Sheba from Yemen 00:21:56.710 --> 00:21:58.710 to the Holy Land 00:21:58.710 --> 00:22:00.710 in the blink of an eye 00:22:00.710 --> 00:22:02.710 through the power of the Creator, Mighty and Majestic, 00:22:02.710 --> 00:22:05.740 then the subjugation of the jinn 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:07.740 and the devils 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:09.740 shall not be granted to any human 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.740 after Solomon (peace be upon him). 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.740 Whoever claims to possess that 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.740 is either 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:17.740 a liar in his claim, 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.740 or he is exchanging 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.740 mutual benefits with them 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:23.740 after having disbelieved 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.740 in Allah the Exalted, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.740 practicing sorcery 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:29.740 with the devils aiding him in that. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.500 Solomon (peace be upon him) gave precedence 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:34.500 in his supplication to seeking 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:36.500 forgiveness over seeking kingship, 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:38.500 in order to indicate 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.500 that it was of paramount importance to him, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.500 and to demonstrate 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.500 that seeking forgiveness 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:46.500 is a cause for opening the doors 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:48.500 of good fortune in this world. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:51.500 Solomon (peace be upon him) sought 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.500 worldly dominion and kingship— 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.500 despite their insignificance 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:57.500 compared to the Hereafter 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:59.500 and its eternal bliss— 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:01.500 only because he intended thereby 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.500 to serve the religion of Allah the Exalted, 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.500 raise His Word high 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.500 in the earth, 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.500 be empowered to render rights 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:11.500 unto their rightful owners, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:13.500 spread justice among the people, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:15.500 grant redress to the wronged, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:17.500 aid the needy, 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:19.500 and implement the law of Allah 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:22.200 in the most complete manner. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:24.200 The jinn possess no knowledge 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:26.200 of the unseen; 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:28.200 for after Solomon (peace be upon him) passed away 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:30.200 while standing leaning upon his staff, 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:32.200 they did not know— 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:34.200 that is, the jinn did not realize his death— 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:36.200 until after 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.200 a creature of the earth ate away his staff 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:42.309 and he fell to the ground. 00:23:42.309 --> 00:23:44.309 This discourse shall be continued, 00:23:44.309 --> 00:23:46.309 if Allah wills. 00:23:46.309 --> 00:23:48.309 And Allah knows best. 00:23:48.309 --> 00:23:50.309 All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 00:23:50.309 --> 00:23:52.309 and may Allah send blessings and peace 00:23:52.309 --> 00:23:54.309 upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:23:54.309 --> 00:23:56.309 and upon his family and companions, 00:23:56.309 --> 00:23:59.690 all together. 00:23:59.690 --> 00:24:01.690 Stories of the Prophets.