1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,600 The Story of the Queen of Sheba 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:12,339 The hoopoe was absent from the military parade. 3 00:00:12,339 --> 00:00:20,239 The story of the Queen of Sheba begins when the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), was inspecting his troops from among the birds, 4 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:25,039 and he noticed the hoopoe's disappearance from among the birds in the army. 5 00:00:25,039 --> 00:00:30,160 The Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), became angry at the hoopoe's absence, 6 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:36,399 and he swore to punish him severely unless he had a valid excuse for his absence. 7 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:38,750 Almighty Allah says: 8 00:00:38,750 --> 00:00:50,109 “And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent?” (27:20) 9 00:00:50,109 --> 00:01:05,790 ﴿I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me a clear authorization.﴾ 10 00:01:05,790 --> 00:01:11,629 Al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This demonstrates the perfection of his resolve and firmness, 11 00:01:11,629 --> 00:01:18,349 his good organization of his troops, and his personal management of both minor and major affairs, 12 00:01:18,510 --> 00:01:28,590 to the extent that he did not neglect even this matter—inspecting the birds and checking whether they were all present or if any were missing." 13 00:01:28,590 --> 00:01:38,609 This is the mark of a resolute man regarding his charge; so do not feel aggrieved, my noble sister, if you are blessed with a resolute husband 14 00:01:38,609 --> 00:01:45,969 who checks on you and checks on your offspring, for if he does not do so, the family will be ruined. 15 00:01:46,459 --> 00:01:52,459 This is his duty, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 16 00:01:52,459 --> 00:01:57,540 "Every one of you is a guardian and every one of you is responsible for his charge. 17 00:01:57,540 --> 00:02:01,299 The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his charge; 18 00:02:01,299 --> 00:02:06,340 the man is a guardian over his family and is responsible for his charge; 19 00:02:06,340 --> 00:02:12,740 and the woman is a guardian in her husband's home and is responsible for her charge." 20 00:02:12,740 --> 00:02:14,990 Narrative by al-Bukhari. 21 00:02:14,990 --> 00:02:18,189 In another narration in al-Bukhari: 22 00:02:18,189 --> 00:02:25,150 "And the woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children, and she is responsible for them." 23 00:02:25,150 --> 00:02:31,069 Inspecting one's charge is a praiseworthy quality that shows the guardian's care for them, 24 00:02:31,069 --> 00:02:37,389 monitoring their affairs, taking care of their needs, and resolving their problems. 25 00:02:37,389 --> 00:02:40,590 Al-Tahir Ibn 'Ashur (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 26 00:02:40,669 --> 00:02:44,990 "Inspecting the troops is one of the hallmarks of kings and commanders, 27 00:02:44,990 --> 00:02:48,909 and it is one of the objectives of assembling and deploying armies. 28 00:02:48,909 --> 00:02:54,030 The meaning is that he inspected the birds among all the other things he inspected, 29 00:02:54,030 --> 00:02:59,870 and he said to those in charge of the birds: 'Why do I not see the hoopoe?'" 30 00:02:59,870 --> 00:03:04,430 Among the duties of rulers is inspecting the condition of their subjects, 31 00:03:04,430 --> 00:03:07,629 and personally checking on officials and the like— 32 00:03:07,629 --> 00:03:13,229 as 'Umar did when he set out for the Levant in the year 17 AH— 33 00:03:13,229 --> 00:03:15,870 or delegating it to someone he trusts, 34 00:03:15,870 --> 00:03:23,340 for 'Umar assigned Muhammad ibn Maslamah al-Ansari to inspect the officials. 35 00:03:23,340 --> 00:03:27,659 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), in the aforementioned hadith, 36 00:03:27,659 --> 00:03:31,900 distributed the responsibility of the family between the husband and the wife, 37 00:03:31,900 --> 00:03:37,259 describing each of them as a guardian with a charge. 38 00:03:37,259 --> 00:03:41,969 Thus, it is not fitting for a guardian to neglect inspecting his charge. 39 00:03:41,969 --> 00:03:45,250 The entire family is the man's charge, 40 00:03:45,250 --> 00:03:49,409 and it is his responsibility to check on his wife's state: 41 00:03:49,409 --> 00:03:54,530 whom she befriends, with whom she goes out, where she goes, 42 00:03:54,530 --> 00:03:58,289 and how she spends her day and night; 43 00:03:58,289 --> 00:04:00,930 to check on her health 44 00:04:00,930 --> 00:04:04,849 and what medication or treatment she needs; 45 00:04:04,849 --> 00:04:07,090 and to check on her emotional well-being— 46 00:04:07,090 --> 00:04:11,810 what distresses her about his actions and what she likes— 47 00:04:11,810 --> 00:04:14,930 so that he can bestow happiness upon her 48 00:04:14,930 --> 00:04:18,579 and upon himself within the marital home. 49 00:04:18,579 --> 00:04:23,779 A husband needs firmness in his decisions when taking care of his home, 50 00:04:23,779 --> 00:04:28,819 and this is what a wife needs and looks for in her husband; 51 00:04:28,819 --> 00:04:31,779 in fact, it brings her joy coming from him. 52 00:04:31,779 --> 00:04:37,459 An intelligent woman becomes distressed if her husband lacks firmness in household and family matters 53 00:04:37,459 --> 00:04:40,339 and fails to monitor her well-being. 54 00:04:40,339 --> 00:04:42,660 Firmness does not mean harshness; 55 00:04:42,660 --> 00:04:48,660 rather, it means avoiding laxity and not backing down from stances if they are correct. 56 00:04:48,660 --> 00:04:52,420 The finest firmness is that which is tempered with gentleness. 57 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:57,459 You have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 58 00:04:57,459 --> 00:05:01,250 and in his wives, the Mothers of the Believers, a role model. 59 00:05:01,329 --> 00:05:06,050 The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to check on his wives, 60 00:05:06,050 --> 00:05:09,170 and they never felt aggrieved by that. 61 00:05:09,170 --> 00:05:13,970 On the authority of 'A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said: 62 00:05:13,970 --> 00:05:20,290 "I was delayed during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) one night after the 'Isha' prayer, 63 00:05:20,290 --> 00:05:23,970 then I came, and he said, 'Where were you?' 64 00:05:23,970 --> 00:05:28,529 I said, 'I was listening to the recitation of a man among your Companions; 65 00:05:28,529 --> 00:05:32,769 I have never heard a recitation or a voice like his from anyone.' 66 00:05:32,769 --> 00:05:38,129 She said: So he stood up and I stood with him until he listened to him, 67 00:05:38,129 --> 00:05:40,850 then he turned to me and said: 68 00:05:40,850 --> 00:05:44,779 'This is Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah. 69 00:05:44,779 --> 00:05:49,699 Praise be to Allah who has placed the likes of this man in my Ummah.'" 70 00:05:49,699 --> 00:05:52,209 Narrated by Ibn Majah. 71 00:05:52,209 --> 00:05:56,129 The Prophet's saying to 'A'ishah, 72 00:05:56,209 --> 00:05:57,730 "Where were you?" 73 00:05:57,730 --> 00:06:02,689 is a form of questioning the wife about her late return home 74 00:06:02,689 --> 00:06:04,930 and the reason for this delay. 75 00:06:04,930 --> 00:06:06,610 This implies 76 00:06:06,610 --> 00:06:12,930 that a husband has the right to ask such questions when checking on his wife's situation, 77 00:06:12,930 --> 00:06:17,540 especially if he harbors suspicion regarding any of her actions. 78 00:06:17,540 --> 00:06:24,660 Consider how the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood with her to listen to this man's recitation, 79 00:06:24,740 --> 00:06:28,579 recognizing and engaging with what she mentioned— 80 00:06:28,579 --> 00:06:32,500 not to disbelieve her or doubt what she said, 81 00:06:32,500 --> 00:06:38,500 for there was nothing in her words or actions to arouse suspicion or doubt about her, 82 00:06:38,500 --> 00:06:42,480 far be it from her (may Allah be pleased with her). 83 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:49,040 However, a man might doubt his wife's word or an action of hers, 84 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,639 and thus wish to verify the truth of what she said. 85 00:06:52,639 --> 00:06:57,379 This is his right if he has a Islamically valid justification. 86 00:06:57,379 --> 00:07:01,060 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), he said: 87 00:07:01,060 --> 00:07:04,740 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 88 00:07:04,740 --> 00:07:10,180 "If I were to stone anyone without clear proof, I would have stoned such-and-such a woman," 89 00:07:10,180 --> 00:07:16,660 for suspicion was evident in her speech, her appearance, and those who visited her. 90 00:07:16,660 --> 00:07:18,829 Narrated by Ibn Majah. 91 00:07:18,829 --> 00:07:24,269 Thus, regarding this woman, there appeared from her speech, her clothing, her appearance, 92 00:07:24,269 --> 00:07:29,790 and the men who visited her that which raised suspicion of her committing adultery; 93 00:07:29,790 --> 00:07:36,670 yet, the proof ordained by Allah to establish that—namely, four witnesses—was absent. 94 00:07:36,670 --> 00:07:42,379 Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not apply the prescribed legal punishment to her. 95 00:07:42,379 --> 00:07:45,329 Ibn Battal (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 96 00:07:45,329 --> 00:07:51,649 "Meaning: If I were to surpass the right of Allah regarding her based on the indications that arose against her, 97 00:07:51,649 --> 00:07:57,019 I would have stoned this woman due to the evident indications of her immorality." 98 00:07:57,019 --> 00:08:02,459 Likewise, part of the wife's care for her husband is checking on his well-being. 99 00:08:02,459 --> 00:08:06,220 A husband's condition may change from one state to another, 100 00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:12,620 and the wife may notice certain signs indicating his change in any matter, 101 00:08:12,699 --> 00:08:18,540 whether in his relationship with her, his relationship with his Lord, or otherwise. 102 00:08:18,540 --> 00:08:26,699 It is essential to recognize this change and its cause, and to address it promptly before it worsens. 103 00:08:26,699 --> 00:08:34,460 Here is 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) noticing a change in the supplication of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 104 00:08:34,460 --> 00:08:40,940 and his frequent repetition of a specific supplication, so she inquired from him to know the reason. 105 00:08:41,019 --> 00:08:43,899 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: 106 00:08:43,899 --> 00:08:51,330 "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek refuge most frequently from debt and sin. 107 00:08:51,330 --> 00:08:56,960 I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, how frequently you seek refuge from debt!' 108 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:03,759 He said, 'If a man incurs debt, he speaks and lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.'" 109 00:09:03,759 --> 00:09:06,139 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 110 00:09:06,220 --> 00:09:12,860 And here is Maymunah noticing a change in the face of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 111 00:09:12,860 --> 00:09:18,059 so she asks him and makes him aware of her observation of his changed state. 112 00:09:18,059 --> 00:09:22,529 This reflects the acumen of Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her). 113 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:27,009 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), he said: 114 00:09:27,009 --> 00:09:30,370 Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed me 115 00:09:30,370 --> 00:09:36,049 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) woke up one morning silent and sorrowful. 116 00:09:36,049 --> 00:09:43,309 Maymunah said, "O Messenger of Allah, I have noticed a change in your appearance today." 117 00:09:43,309 --> 00:09:46,990 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 118 00:09:46,990 --> 00:09:52,909 "Gabriel had promised to meet me last night, but he did not meet me. 119 00:09:52,909 --> 00:09:56,129 By Allah, he has never broken a promise to me." 120 00:09:56,129 --> 00:10:03,409 He said: So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) spent that day in that state. 121 00:10:03,490 --> 00:10:08,210 Then it occurred to him that a puppy had crawled under a tent of ours. 122 00:10:08,210 --> 00:10:10,610 He ordered that it be taken out, 123 00:10:10,610 --> 00:10:14,610 then he took water in his hand and sprinkled the spot. 124 00:10:14,610 --> 00:10:18,210 When evening came, Gabriel met him. 125 00:10:18,210 --> 00:10:23,409 The Prophet said to him, "You promised to meet me last night." 126 00:10:23,409 --> 00:10:25,409 He replied, "Yes, 127 00:10:25,409 --> 00:10:30,740 but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture." 128 00:10:30,740 --> 00:10:35,139 The next morning, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 129 00:10:35,139 --> 00:10:37,539 ordered the killing of dogs, 130 00:10:37,539 --> 00:10:41,940 to the point that he ordered the killing of a small garden's watch dog 131 00:10:41,940 --> 00:10:45,169 and spared a large garden's watch dog. 132 00:10:45,169 --> 00:10:47,299 Narrated by Muslim. 133 00:10:47,299 --> 00:10:53,950 So check on your husband's state before he changes toward you without you realizing it. 134 00:10:53,950 --> 00:10:57,950 Checking on the children is a joint responsibility of both spouses, 135 00:10:57,950 --> 00:11:01,950 even if the mother is closer to her children than the father, 136 00:11:01,950 --> 00:11:04,350 which is a natural matter, 137 00:11:04,350 --> 00:11:07,950 especially if she stays settled in her home, 138 00:11:07,950 --> 00:11:11,149 dedicated to taking care of her family. 139 00:11:11,149 --> 00:11:16,350 Therefore, the responsibility for the children was explicitly assigned to her, 140 00:11:16,350 --> 00:11:19,149 as in the narration of al-Bukhari: 141 00:11:19,149 --> 00:11:23,149 "And the woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children, 142 00:11:23,149 --> 00:11:26,019 and she is responsible for them." 143 00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:28,419 You are responsible for your children, 144 00:11:28,419 --> 00:11:32,419 for checking on their state, knowing whom they accompany 145 00:11:32,419 --> 00:11:34,419 and where they go; 146 00:11:34,419 --> 00:11:37,220 if they are late in returning home, 147 00:11:37,220 --> 00:11:41,009 you ask about them and the reason for their delay. 148 00:11:41,009 --> 00:11:45,409 If the mother senses any shortcoming or corruption in her children's lives, 149 00:11:45,409 --> 00:11:49,009 the advice for her is to inform her husband of it, 150 00:11:49,009 --> 00:11:54,610 and to avoid addressing the matter alone without consulting the husband. 151 00:11:54,610 --> 00:11:56,610 For such an action on her part 152 00:11:56,610 --> 00:12:01,870 may lead to the escalation of the issue beyond her control; 153 00:12:01,870 --> 00:12:05,070 furthermore, the father's delayed intervention in resolving the problem 154 00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:09,470 might create a new conflict between the father and his children, 155 00:12:09,470 --> 00:12:12,669 for which you would be the cause. 156 00:12:12,669 --> 00:12:16,500 You are likewise responsible for your home. 157 00:12:16,500 --> 00:12:22,100 Checking on the state of the home is an important issue in your marital life, 158 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:24,100 for this inspection 159 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:27,299 helps you identify deficiencies in the home, 160 00:12:27,299 --> 00:12:30,500 what needs repair or cleaning, 161 00:12:30,500 --> 00:12:32,899 or adding beauty to it, 162 00:12:32,899 --> 00:12:36,350 which brings joy to your husband and children. 163 00:12:36,350 --> 00:12:38,350 So ponder, my noble sister, 164 00:12:38,350 --> 00:12:42,750 this great lesson from the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), 165 00:12:42,750 --> 00:12:45,149 in his inspection of the birds, 166 00:12:45,149 --> 00:12:48,750 and benefit from it in fulfilling your responsibilities 167 00:12:48,750 --> 00:12:52,299 toward those under your care. 168 00:12:52,299 --> 00:12:59,500 But what did the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), do with the hoopoe after that? 169 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:06,740 And how did the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), govern his kingdom and his troops? 170 00:13:06,740 --> 00:13:10,740 We will continue in an upcoming gathering, Allah willing. 171 00:13:10,740 --> 00:13:14,740 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 172 00:13:14,740 --> 00:13:18,179 The Story of the Queen of Sheba 173 00:13:18,179 --> 00:13:22,179 with the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him).