1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,500 The story of the Queen of Sheba. 2 00:00:02,500 --> 00:00:12,759 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 3 00:00:12,759 --> 00:00:15,400 When the throne of the Queen of Sheba was brought 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:19,239 before the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, 5 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:20,359 he said: 6 00:00:20,359 --> 00:00:23,359 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 7 00:00:23,359 --> 00:00:26,160 This is the character of Prophethood, 8 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:29,760 and the Prophetic fiqh in dealing with events. 9 00:00:30,289 --> 00:00:35,289 The Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, was granted a magnificent kingdom, 10 00:00:35,289 --> 00:00:38,289 which is described in the Noble Qur'an. 11 00:00:38,289 --> 00:00:47,579 “So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.” (38:36) 12 00:00:47,579 --> 00:00:56,609 “And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),” (38:37) 13 00:00:56,909 --> 00:01:02,549 “And others linked together in chains,” (38:38) 14 00:01:02,549 --> 00:01:05,680 And in another verse: 15 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:09,680 “And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.” (27:16) 16 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:12,680 "We have been taught the language of birds." 17 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,680 “And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.” (27:16) 18 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:21,680 “And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.” (27:16) 19 00:01:21,980 --> 00:01:25,420 And his soldiers were gathered for Sulayman, 20 00:01:25,420 --> 00:01:30,420 “And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;” (27:17) 21 00:01:30,420 --> 00:01:34,000 and they were kept in check. 22 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,000 Yet, when he ordered one of his soldiers 23 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,000 to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba, 24 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,000 and he saw it before him, 25 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,000 he did not attribute the bringing of the throne 26 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,000 to his own abilities or potential, 27 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,000 nor to himself. 28 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,000 Rather, he attributed the grace to Allah alone. 29 00:01:51,489 --> 00:01:53,489 This is the proper etiquette with Allah, the Exalted, 30 00:01:53,489 --> 00:01:55,489 in expressing gratitude for blessings, 31 00:01:55,489 --> 00:01:58,489 as grace is attributed to Allah, the Exalted. 32 00:01:58,489 --> 00:02:01,489 For were it not for Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, 33 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:04,489 we would not be able to advance or retreat, 34 00:02:04,489 --> 00:02:06,489 or do anything at all. 35 00:02:06,489 --> 00:02:08,490 For He, the Exalted, is the One who 36 00:02:08,490 --> 00:02:10,490 granted us the ability to do so, 37 00:02:10,490 --> 00:02:13,490 as there is no power and no strength 38 00:02:13,490 --> 00:02:16,490 except by Allah, the Most High, the Almighty. 39 00:02:16,490 --> 00:02:20,750 Indeed, the achievements that humans attain 40 00:02:20,750 --> 00:02:22,750 are only by the grace of Allah upon them, 41 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:25,750 in that He guided them to these ideas, 42 00:02:25,750 --> 00:02:27,750 helped them implement them, 43 00:02:27,750 --> 00:02:30,750 and decreed success for them in them. 44 00:02:30,750 --> 00:02:33,039 What kings, 45 00:02:33,039 --> 00:02:35,039 leaders, and princes are keen on 46 00:02:35,039 --> 00:02:37,039 throughout the ages 47 00:02:37,039 --> 00:02:39,039 is to gain pride from deeds 48 00:02:39,039 --> 00:02:41,039 that are not of their own making, 49 00:02:41,039 --> 00:02:43,039 or they boast of deeds 50 00:02:43,039 --> 00:02:45,039 that do not deserve this pride 51 00:02:45,039 --> 00:02:47,039 which they sing about. 52 00:02:47,039 --> 00:02:49,039 In fact, these deeds might even be 53 00:02:49,039 --> 00:02:51,039 a type of failure, 54 00:02:51,039 --> 00:02:53,039 yet they count them 55 00:02:53,039 --> 00:02:55,039 as a great achievement. 56 00:02:55,039 --> 00:02:57,449 And no era is free 57 00:02:57,449 --> 00:02:59,449 from an evil inner circle 58 00:02:59,449 --> 00:03:01,449 surrounding sultans and princes, 59 00:03:01,449 --> 00:03:03,449 beautifying falsehood for them 60 00:03:03,449 --> 00:03:05,449 and praising them for committing it, 61 00:03:05,449 --> 00:03:07,449 so they become arrogant and haughty, 62 00:03:07,449 --> 00:03:09,449 then they act with pride in the land. 63 00:03:09,449 --> 00:03:11,449 They do not accept the advice of the sincere, 64 00:03:11,449 --> 00:03:13,449 nor do they listen 65 00:03:13,449 --> 00:03:15,449 to a compassionate heart. 66 00:03:15,449 --> 00:03:17,449 For here is Qarun; 67 00:03:17,449 --> 00:03:19,740 the believers from his people advise him 68 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:21,740 by saying: 69 00:03:21,740 --> 00:03:23,740 “Now Korah was of Moses' folk, but he oppressed them; and We gave him so much treasure that the stores thereof would verily have been a burden for a troop of mighty men. When his own folk said unto him: Exult not; lo! Allah loveth not the exultant;” (28:76) 70 00:03:23,740 --> 00:03:25,770 "Do not exult; 71 00:03:25,770 --> 00:03:27,770 indeed, Allah does not like 72 00:03:27,770 --> 00:03:29,770 the exultant. 73 00:03:29,770 --> 00:03:31,770 And seek, through that which 74 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:34,030 Allah has given you, 75 00:03:34,030 --> 00:03:36,030 the home of the Hereafter; 76 00:03:36,030 --> 00:03:38,030 and do not forget your share 77 00:03:38,030 --> 00:03:40,030 of the world; 78 00:03:40,030 --> 00:03:42,030 and do good 79 00:03:42,030 --> 00:03:44,030 as 80 00:03:44,030 --> 00:03:46,030 Allah 81 00:03:46,030 --> 00:03:48,030 has done good 82 00:03:48,030 --> 00:03:50,030 to you. 83 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:52,030 And desire not 84 00:03:52,030 --> 00:03:54,030 corruption in the land. 85 00:03:54,030 --> 00:03:56,030 Indeed, Allah 86 00:03:56,030 --> 00:03:59,280 does not like the corrupters." 87 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,280 So he replied to them 88 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,469 by saying: 89 00:04:03,469 --> 00:04:05,469 He said, "It was only 90 00:04:05,469 --> 00:04:07,469 given to me because of knowledge 91 00:04:07,469 --> 00:04:09,849 I have." 92 00:04:09,849 --> 00:04:11,849 So he attributed the grace 93 00:04:11,849 --> 00:04:13,849 to himself, 94 00:04:13,849 --> 00:04:15,849 and did not accept the advice of the sincere. 95 00:04:15,849 --> 00:04:18,009 So We caused him 96 00:04:18,009 --> 00:04:20,009 and his home to be swallowed by the earth, 97 00:04:20,009 --> 00:04:22,009 and there was for him 98 00:04:22,009 --> 00:04:24,009 no company 99 00:04:24,009 --> 00:04:26,009 to aid him 100 00:04:26,009 --> 00:04:28,009 other than Allah, 101 00:04:28,009 --> 00:04:30,009 nor was he 102 00:04:30,009 --> 00:04:32,009 among those who could defend themselves. 103 00:04:32,009 --> 00:04:34,750 And Pharaoh 104 00:04:34,750 --> 00:04:36,750 was impressed with himself 105 00:04:36,750 --> 00:04:38,750 and with what he possessed, 106 00:04:38,750 --> 00:04:40,750 so he said to his people in confronting 107 00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:42,750 the call of the Prophet of Allah, 108 00:04:42,750 --> 00:04:44,750 Musa, peace be upon him: 109 00:04:44,750 --> 00:04:46,879 And Pharaoh called out 110 00:04:46,879 --> 00:04:48,879 among his people: 111 00:04:48,879 --> 00:04:50,879 “And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern?” (43:51) 112 00:04:50,879 --> 00:04:52,879 "Is mine the kingdom of Egypt, 113 00:04:52,879 --> 00:04:54,879 and these rivers 114 00:04:54,879 --> 00:04:56,879 flowing beneath me? 115 00:04:56,879 --> 00:04:58,879 Do you not, 116 00:04:58,879 --> 00:05:00,879 then, see? 117 00:05:00,879 --> 00:05:02,879 Or am I better 118 00:05:02,879 --> 00:05:04,879 than this one who 119 00:05:04,879 --> 00:05:06,879 is insignificant 120 00:05:06,879 --> 00:05:08,879 and hardly makes himself clear? 121 00:05:08,879 --> 00:05:11,230 Then why 122 00:05:11,230 --> 00:05:13,230 have there not been 123 00:05:13,230 --> 00:05:15,230 placed upon him bracelets 124 00:05:15,230 --> 00:05:17,230 of gold 125 00:05:17,230 --> 00:05:19,230 or come 126 00:05:19,230 --> 00:05:21,230 with him the angels 127 00:05:21,230 --> 00:05:23,230 in procession?" 128 00:05:23,230 --> 00:05:25,870 So he bluffed 129 00:05:25,870 --> 00:05:27,870 his people, and they obeyed him. 130 00:05:27,870 --> 00:05:29,870 Indeed, they 131 00:05:29,870 --> 00:05:31,870 were a people 132 00:05:31,870 --> 00:05:33,870 defiantly disobedient. 133 00:05:33,870 --> 00:05:36,540 So when 134 00:05:36,540 --> 00:05:38,540 they angered Us, 135 00:05:38,540 --> 00:05:40,540 We took retribution 136 00:05:40,540 --> 00:05:42,540 from them and drowned 137 00:05:42,540 --> 00:05:44,540 them all. 138 00:05:44,540 --> 00:05:46,540 And We made 139 00:05:46,540 --> 00:05:48,540 them a precedent 140 00:05:48,540 --> 00:05:50,540 and an example 141 00:05:50,540 --> 00:05:52,540 for the later ones. 142 00:05:52,540 --> 00:05:54,990 Ibn Kathir said, 143 00:05:54,990 --> 00:05:56,990 may Allah have mercy on him: 144 00:05:56,990 --> 00:05:58,990 "The Exalted says, informing about Pharaoh, 145 00:05:58,990 --> 00:06:00,990 his rebellion, his arrogance, 146 00:06:00,990 --> 00:06:02,990 his disbelief, and his stubbornness, 147 00:06:02,990 --> 00:06:04,990 that he gathered his people 148 00:06:04,990 --> 00:06:06,990 and called out among them, boasting, 149 00:06:06,990 --> 00:06:08,990 proud of the kingdom of Egypt 150 00:06:08,990 --> 00:06:10,990 and his control over it: 151 00:06:10,990 --> 00:06:12,990 “And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern?” (43:51) 152 00:06:12,990 --> 00:06:14,990 'And these rivers flowing 153 00:06:14,990 --> 00:06:17,019 beneath me.'" 154 00:06:17,019 --> 00:06:19,019 Qatadah said: 155 00:06:19,019 --> 00:06:21,019 "They had gardens 156 00:06:21,019 --> 00:06:23,019 and water rivers. 157 00:06:23,019 --> 00:06:25,019 'Do you not see?' 158 00:06:25,019 --> 00:06:27,019 Meaning: Do you not see what I am in 159 00:06:27,019 --> 00:06:29,019 of greatness and kingdom? 160 00:06:29,019 --> 00:06:31,019 He meant that Musa 161 00:06:31,019 --> 00:06:33,019 and his followers were poor and weak." 162 00:06:33,019 --> 00:06:36,110 And al-Razi said, 163 00:06:36,110 --> 00:06:38,110 may Allah have mercy on him: 164 00:06:38,110 --> 00:06:40,110 "The essence of the matter is 165 00:06:40,110 --> 00:06:42,110 [his pride] in the abundance of his wealth 166 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:44,110 and the power of his status over the virtue of 167 00:06:44,110 --> 00:06:47,199 his own soul, 168 00:06:47,199 --> 00:06:49,199 and he did not attribute the grace to Allah 169 00:06:49,199 --> 00:06:51,319 for the blessings he was in." 170 00:06:51,319 --> 00:06:53,319 And in the story of the three: 171 00:06:53,319 --> 00:06:55,319 the bald man, the leper, 172 00:06:55,319 --> 00:06:57,319 and the blind man, 173 00:06:57,319 --> 00:06:59,319 whom Allah tested 174 00:06:59,319 --> 00:07:01,319 with the blessings He bestowed upon them, 175 00:07:01,319 --> 00:07:03,319 is a lesson for everyone who attributes 176 00:07:03,319 --> 00:07:05,319 grace to himself 177 00:07:05,319 --> 00:07:07,319 and does not thank the blessing of Allah 178 00:07:07,319 --> 00:07:09,319 upon him, nor attributes it to Him, 179 00:07:09,319 --> 00:07:11,480 the Almighty and Majestic. 180 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,480 For on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, 181 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,480 that he heard the Prophet, 182 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,480 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 183 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,480 saying: "Indeed, 184 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,480 three among the Children of Israel— 185 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:23,480 a leper, a bald man, 186 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,480 and a blind man—Allah wanted 187 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,480 to test them, 188 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:29,480 so He sent an angel to them. 189 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,480 He came to the leper 190 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:33,480 and said, 'What 191 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:35,480 thing is most dear to you?' 192 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,480 He said, 'A good color 193 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,480 and good skin, 194 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:41,480 and that this which has caused people to loathe me 195 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:43,480 be removed from me.' 196 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:45,480 He said, so he wiped him, 197 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,480 and his loathsomeness was removed from him, 198 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:49,480 and he was given a good color 199 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,480 and good skin. 200 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,480 He said, 'And what wealth 201 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,480 is most dear to you?' 202 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,480 He said, 'Camels.' 203 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,480 So he was given a pregnant she-camel, 204 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:01,480 and he said, 205 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:03,480 'May Allah bless you in it.' 206 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,579 He said, 207 00:08:05,579 --> 00:08:07,579 then he said, 208 00:08:07,579 --> 00:08:09,579 'What thing is most dear to you?' 209 00:08:09,579 --> 00:08:11,610 He said, 210 00:08:11,610 --> 00:08:13,610 'Good hair, 211 00:08:13,610 --> 00:08:15,610 And may this [affliction] be removed from me, 212 00:08:15,610 --> 00:08:17,610 for people have come to loathe me. 213 00:08:17,610 --> 00:08:19,610 He said: So he wiped him, 214 00:08:19,610 --> 00:08:21,610 and it departed from him, 215 00:08:21,610 --> 00:08:23,639 and he was given a beautiful complexion. 216 00:08:23,639 --> 00:08:25,639 He asked: Which 217 00:08:25,639 --> 00:08:27,639 wealth is most beloved to you? 218 00:08:27,639 --> 00:08:29,639 He replied: Cattle. 219 00:08:29,639 --> 00:08:31,639 So he was given a pregnant 220 00:08:31,639 --> 00:08:33,639 cow. 221 00:08:33,639 --> 00:08:35,639 He said: May Allah bless 222 00:08:35,639 --> 00:08:37,740 you in it. 223 00:08:37,740 --> 00:08:39,740 He said: Then he came 224 00:08:39,740 --> 00:08:41,740 to the blind man and said: 225 00:08:41,740 --> 00:08:43,769 What thing is most beloved to you? 226 00:08:43,769 --> 00:08:45,769 He replied: That 227 00:08:45,769 --> 00:08:47,769 Allah restore my sight to me, 228 00:08:47,769 --> 00:08:49,769 so that I may see people with it. 229 00:08:49,769 --> 00:08:51,769 He said: So he wiped him, 230 00:08:51,769 --> 00:08:53,769 and Allah restored his 231 00:08:53,769 --> 00:08:55,769 sight to him. He asked: 232 00:08:55,769 --> 00:08:57,769 Which wealth is most beloved 233 00:08:57,769 --> 00:08:59,769 to you? He replied: 234 00:08:59,769 --> 00:09:01,769 Sheep. 235 00:09:01,769 --> 00:09:03,769 Then he said: 236 00:09:03,769 --> 00:09:05,769 I am a poor man, 237 00:09:05,769 --> 00:09:07,769 my means have been cut off 238 00:09:07,769 --> 00:09:09,769 during my journey, 239 00:09:09,769 --> 00:09:11,769 and I have no provision today 240 00:09:11,769 --> 00:09:13,769 except through Allah, 241 00:09:13,769 --> 00:09:15,769 then through you. 242 00:09:15,769 --> 00:09:17,799 By Him who gave you 243 00:09:17,799 --> 00:09:19,799 the beautiful complexion, 244 00:09:19,799 --> 00:09:21,799 the beautiful skin, 245 00:09:21,799 --> 00:09:23,799 and the wealth, 246 00:09:23,799 --> 00:09:25,799 I ask you for a camel 247 00:09:25,799 --> 00:09:27,799 to help me reach my destination 248 00:09:27,799 --> 00:09:29,799 in my journey. 249 00:09:29,799 --> 00:09:33,929 I have no provision today except through Allah, then through you. 250 00:09:33,929 --> 00:09:39,929 I ask you by the One who gave you the beautiful complexion, the beautiful skin, and the wealth, 251 00:09:39,929 --> 00:09:42,929 for a camel to help me in my journey. 252 00:09:42,929 --> 00:09:46,960 He replied: The obligations are many. 253 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:50,960 He said to him: It is as if I recognize you; 254 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,960 were you not a leper whom people loathed, 255 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:56,960 and poor, then Allah gave you [wealth]? 256 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:02,059 He replied: I only inherited this wealth from my forefathers. 257 00:10:02,059 --> 00:10:06,059 He said: If you are a liar, 258 00:10:06,059 --> 00:10:09,220 may Allah return you to what you were. 259 00:10:09,220 --> 00:10:13,220 He said: Then he came to the bald man in his [former] appearance, 260 00:10:13,220 --> 00:10:16,220 and said to him the same as he had said to the other, 261 00:10:16,220 --> 00:10:20,220 and he responded with the same as the other had responded. 262 00:10:20,220 --> 00:10:24,220 He said: If you are a liar, 263 00:10:24,220 --> 00:10:27,220 may Allah return you to what you were. 264 00:10:27,220 --> 00:10:32,220 He said: Then he came to the blind man in his [former] appearance and state, 265 00:10:32,220 --> 00:10:36,220 and said: I am a poor man and a wayfarer; 266 00:10:36,220 --> 00:10:39,220 my means have been cut off in my journey, 267 00:10:39,220 --> 00:10:43,220 and I have no provision today except through Allah, then through you. 268 00:10:43,220 --> 00:10:46,250 I ask you by the One who restored your sight to you, 269 00:10:46,250 --> 00:10:50,250 for a sheep to help me in my journey. 270 00:10:50,250 --> 00:10:53,250 He replied: I was indeed blind, 271 00:10:53,250 --> 00:10:56,250 and Allah restored my sight to me; 272 00:10:56,250 --> 00:10:59,250 so take what you wish and leave what you wish. 273 00:10:59,250 --> 00:11:04,250 By Allah, I will not burden you today for anything you take for the sake of Allah. 274 00:11:04,250 --> 00:11:07,320 He said: Keep your wealth, 275 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,320 for you have only been tested. 276 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:14,320 Allah is pleased with you and is displeased with your two companions. 277 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,409 Narrated by Muslim. 278 00:11:16,409 --> 00:11:19,919 The leper attributed the favor to himself, 279 00:11:19,919 --> 00:11:21,919 and did not attribute it to Allah. 280 00:11:21,919 --> 00:11:23,919 The bald man was the same. 281 00:11:23,919 --> 00:11:27,919 As for the blind man, he attributed the favor to Allah, 282 00:11:27,919 --> 00:11:31,919 so Allah was pleased with him and displeased with his two companions. 283 00:11:31,919 --> 00:11:36,149 A person only attributes favor to himself 284 00:11:36,149 --> 00:11:38,149 when he becomes conceited. 285 00:11:38,149 --> 00:11:42,149 This is a blameworthy trait that destroys its possessor, 286 00:11:42,149 --> 00:11:46,149 as mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 287 00:11:46,149 --> 00:11:51,149 "Three things are destructive and three are saving, 288 00:11:51,149 --> 00:11:56,179 three are expiations and three are degrees." 289 00:11:56,179 --> 00:11:58,179 As for the destructive ones: 290 00:11:58,179 --> 00:12:02,179 A stinginess that is obeyed, a desire that is followed, 291 00:12:02,179 --> 00:12:05,179 and a man's self-conceit. 292 00:12:05,179 --> 00:12:08,370 Narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Awsat. 293 00:12:08,370 --> 00:12:11,370 Al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 294 00:12:11,370 --> 00:12:16,370 Boasting about oneself and one's qualities is among the traits of Iblis and Pharaoh. 295 00:12:16,370 --> 00:12:20,370 Iblis said: "I am better than him." 296 00:12:21,370 --> 00:12:23,370 “And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern?” (43:51) 297 00:12:23,370 --> 00:12:28,399 And everyone who falsely claimed divinity or prophethood 298 00:12:28,399 --> 00:12:31,399 had no purpose other than self-aggrandizement, 299 00:12:31,399 --> 00:12:34,399 and strengthening greed and conceit. 300 00:12:34,399 --> 00:12:37,399 That is why he, peace be upon him, said: 301 00:12:37,399 --> 00:12:39,399 "Three things are destructive," 302 00:12:39,399 --> 00:12:41,399 and he concluded it by saying: 303 00:12:41,399 --> 00:12:44,399 "And a man's self-conceit." 304 00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:48,490 Thus, the statement of the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, 305 00:12:49,490 --> 00:12:51,490 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 306 00:12:51,490 --> 00:12:58,490 shows us the ethics of prophethood that we should adopt in our lives. 307 00:12:58,490 --> 00:13:04,679 The second matter we learn from the response of the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, 308 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:10,679 is how to deal with the blessings that Allah bestows upon us. 309 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:13,779 For the bringing of the throne of the Queen of Sheba 310 00:13:13,779 --> 00:13:16,779 from Yemen to the kingdom of Sulayman, peace be upon him, 311 00:13:16,779 --> 00:13:19,779 in the blink of an eye is a great blessing, 312 00:13:19,779 --> 00:13:25,779 indicating the power possessed by the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him. 313 00:13:25,779 --> 00:13:29,809 Therefore, the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, said, 314 00:13:29,809 --> 00:13:33,809 in the face of this blessing and in the presence of his troops: 315 00:13:33,809 --> 00:13:36,809 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 316 00:13:36,809 --> 00:13:39,809 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 317 00:13:39,809 --> 00:13:43,809 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 318 00:13:43,809 --> 00:13:48,809 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 319 00:13:48,809 --> 00:13:53,070 The Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, clarified 320 00:13:53,070 --> 00:13:55,070 that blessings are a test, 321 00:13:55,070 --> 00:13:57,070 requiring gratitude to the Bestower, 322 00:13:57,070 --> 00:14:00,070 who is Allah, the Exalted in His Majesty. 323 00:14:00,070 --> 00:14:04,070 This gratitude benefits the one who is grateful, 324 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:08,070 while Allah is free of need from us, glory be to Him and exalted be He. 325 00:14:08,070 --> 00:14:11,070 He, peace be upon him, clarified this truth 326 00:14:11,070 --> 00:14:14,070 before the troops so that they might learn it. 327 00:14:14,070 --> 00:14:17,129 And thus, parents should 328 00:14:17,129 --> 00:14:21,129 express gratitude for Allah's blessings upon them in front of their children, 329 00:14:21,129 --> 00:14:25,129 so that they may follow their example in dealing with blessings. 330 00:14:25,129 --> 00:14:29,129 As for what some people do by placing this phrase 331 00:14:29,129 --> 00:14:32,129 “One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.” (27:40) 332 00:14:32,129 --> 00:14:36,129 on buildings, shops, cars, and elsewhere, 333 00:14:36,129 --> 00:14:41,129 it is one of the mistakes people make in dealing with Qur'anic verses. 334 00:14:41,129 --> 00:14:44,129 This is not the way to show gratitude for the blessing 335 00:14:44,129 --> 00:14:47,129 that Allah has bestowed upon them. 336 00:14:47,129 --> 00:14:51,129 Rather, people do it to ward off envy and the evil eye, 337 00:14:51,129 --> 00:14:53,129 and this is another mistake. 338 00:14:53,129 --> 00:14:56,129 Whoever wishes to show gratitude for a blessing 339 00:14:56,129 --> 00:15:00,129 should look at the correct method of showing gratitude for blessings. 340 00:15:00,129 --> 00:15:04,129 For every blessing has a method of gratitude; 341 00:15:04,129 --> 00:15:09,129 the blessing of wealth is shown gratitude by using it in what pleases Allah, 342 00:15:09,129 --> 00:15:12,129 and by giving charity to the poor and the needy. 343 00:15:12,129 --> 00:15:15,129 And so it is with the rest of the blessings. 344 00:15:15,129 --> 00:15:18,129 As for hanging verses on walls, 345 00:15:18,129 --> 00:15:21,129 that is not part of showing gratitude for a blessing. 346 00:15:21,129 --> 00:15:26,409 But what did the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him, do 347 00:15:26,409 --> 00:15:30,409 with the throne of the Queen of Sheba when it was brought to him? 348 00:15:30,409 --> 00:15:34,919 We shall continue in a future meeting, if Allah wills. 349 00:15:34,919 --> 00:15:37,919 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 350 00:15:37,919 --> 00:15:46,240 The story of the Queen of Sheba with the Prophet of Allah, Sulayman, peace be upon him.