The story of the Queen of Sheba | Episode (7) | We will consider whether you are telling the truth or whether you are liars

0:00 The story of the Queen of Sheba.

0:05 “(Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.” (27:27)

0:13 Indeed, the person who conveys news:

0:15 Either he is truthful in what he reports,

0:18 Or he is a liar.

0:21 Here comes the recipient's role in verifying what he hears.

0:26 Not everything we hear is correct.

0:29 For the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) informed us

0:33 That among people are those who speak of everything they hear without verification,

0:38 And he severely warned against this,

0:42 Saying:

0:43 "It is enough falsehood for a person to relate everything he hears."

0:47 Narrated by Muslim.

0:49 We must distinguish between those known for truthfulness

0:53 And those known for lying,

0:55 Or from whom lying is expected.

0:57 So we believe the former,

0:59 And we exercise caution regarding the second and third types.

1:04 In the story of the Queen of Sheba,

1:06 When the hoopoe brought news of their worship of the sun,

1:10 The Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), said:

1:13 “(Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.” (27:27)

1:18 This is what is required of everyone whom Allah has given responsibility over people:

1:23 To deal with the news that reaches him about them with intellect and wisdom.

1:28 He should neither dismiss the news outright,

1:30 Nor rush to believe it and build judgments upon it,

1:34 Nor accuse the reporter of lying without evidence.

1:38 Abu Zahrah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

1:41 "Solomon was a wise king

1:44 Who did not base his judgment in matters solely on what he heard,

1:49 For that is the mark of the most misguided kings—

1:51 The one described as being 'all ears' (credulous),

1:54 Such that his entourage becomes his master, controlling him.

1:59 Therefore, he said to the hoopoe:

2:01 'We shall see...'

2:02 Meaning: We affirm that we will investigate the truth of what you have brought to us."

2:08 “(Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.” (27:27)

2:13 The reporter of news should not feel angry if told:

2:17 "We need to verify the authenticity of what you said."

2:20 Because the listener is commanded to do so,

2:23 Especially if he is in a position of responsibility,

2:27 And an action depends on the news,

2:30 Or a judgment upon people,

2:31 Or otherwise.

2:33 In this conduct, there are several benefits,

2:37 Including:

2:38 That the reporter is trained in precision and verification when conveying news.

2:44 Another benefit:

2:45 That people can distinguish the truthful reporter from the liar.

2:51 Another benefit:

2:52 That people become deliberative in conveying news

2:55 And do not rush to speak of everything that reaches their ears,

3:00 Once they know they will be held accountable for what they convey.

3:04 Another benefit:

3:05 Cutting off the path of slanderers, agitators,

3:09 Corrupters in the land,

3:10 And those who hold grudges against people.

3:13 Another benefit:

3:14 Highlighting the righteous model of verifying news,

3:18 Without flattering the news-bearer.

3:22 Indeed, the measure taken by the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him),

3:26 To verify the news

3:28 Was corresponding with the Queen of Sheba

3:31 And inviting them to Islam,

3:33 Ordering the hoopoe to personally carry the letter to her

3:37 And return with the response.

3:39 So he said to the hoopoe:

3:41 "Go with this letter of mine

3:43 And deliver it to them,

3:45 Then leave them

3:47 And see what response they return."

3:50 This reflects excellent etiquette in verifying news.

3:53 For the one who brought the news

3:55 Was the hoopoe,

3:57 And the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him),

4:00 Neither believed him unconditionally nor rejected him as a liar,

4:03 But informed him that he would verify what he said.

4:07 So he tested him by having him deliver the letter,

4:09 To determine the extent of his truthfulness or falsehood in what he reported.

4:13 In this lies a benefit:

4:16 Namely, when someone brings us news whose authenticity we doubt,

4:20 We demand that he prove the truth of what he conveyed to us,

4:23 In the manner we deem

4:25 Appropriate to the nature of the reported news.

4:29 The use by the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him),

4:32 Of the method of sending a letter

4:34 Contains a benefit for us in verifying news

4:38 By sending a communication

4:39 Wherein we seek clarification on the matter

4:41 Before confirming or denying it.

4:44 And the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him), utilized

4:48 The hoopoe to carry and deliver the letter,

4:51 Which was a rapid means of communication in that era.

4:55 By doing so, he intended

4:57 To teach his army to bear responsibility

5:00 For the news they bring.

5:03 Today,

5:04 People possess means of communication

5:07 That rival in speed

5:09 The speed with which the Queen of Sheba's throne was brought

5:11 From Yemen to the kingdom of Solomon (peace be upon him)—

5:15 Namely, sending a message

5:17 Via modern means of communication

5:20 And across the World Wide Web,

5:22 Reaching the farthest ends of the earth in the blink of an eye.

5:26 This blessing with which Allah has favored

5:29 Humanity in this era

5:32 Ought to be utilized in what pleases Allah,

5:34 And in what benefits people and does not harm them.

5:38 It is one of the greatest means of conveying news today;

5:41 However, it transmits both the bad and the good,

5:44 Truth and falsehood.

5:46 Thus, it is improper to rely upon it

5:48 In believing news without verification.

5:51 How much worse, then, when it is used primarily

5:54 To spread false news,

5:57 And in psychological and media warfare

5:59 To weaken the morale of Muslims

6:02 And to shape public opinion contrary to the Law of Allah?

6:06 Here, it is obligatory upon the Muslim

6:08 To verify news before spreading it,

6:11 Especially that which

6:13 Leaves a harmful effect on the hearts of Muslims,

6:17 Or slanders the honor of Muslims,

6:19 Or attacks the scholars and leaders of the Muslims.

6:24 Allah Almighty says:

6:26 “And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)

6:33 "They spread it abroad..."

6:36 “And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)

6:39 “And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)

6:43 "...then those among them who can draw correct conclusions would have known it. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy,

6:50 You would have followed Satan, except for a few."

6:55 Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

7:02 "His statement: 'And when there comes to them something about security or fear,

7:04 They spread it abroad...'

7:09 Is a rebuke against those who rush into matters before verifying them,

7:11 Reporting, divulging, and spreading them,

7:15 When they may have no basis in truth."

7:18 And Al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

7:22 "This is an admonition from Allah to His servants

7:25 Against this improper conduct of theirs,

7:28 And that when an important matter comes to them

7:31 Concerning public interests—

7:33 Whether related to safety and the joy of the believers,

7:37 Or to fear containing a affliction upon them—

7:40 They ought to verify and not rush to spread that news.

7:44 Rather, they should refer it to the people of authority,

7:49 “And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)

7:53 The people of sound judgment, knowledge, sincere advice, intellect, and composure,

7:57 Who understand affairs and know what serves the public interest versus what harms it.

8:02 If they see that publishing it brings benefit, encouragement to the believers,

8:06 Joy to them, and precaution against their enemies,

8:10 They do so.

8:11 But if they see that it contains no benefit,

8:14 Or contains some benefit but its harm outweighs its benefit,

8:19 They do not broadcast it.

8:21 That is why He said:

8:23 “And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)

8:27 Meaning: They deduce it through their sound thought, correct views,

8:31 And guided knowledge.

8:33 In this lies proof for a rule of conduct:

8:37 Namely, that when an investigation occurs regarding any matter,

8:41 It should be entrusted to those qualified for it and left to its people,

8:46 Without preempting them.

8:48 For that is closer to correctness and more likely to ensure safety from error.

8:53 It also contains a prohibition against haste and rushing to spread matters upon hearing them,

8:59 And a command to reflect and consider before speaking:

9:02 Is it beneficial, so that one proceeds with it,

9:06 Or not, so that one refrains from it?

9:09 Then Allah Almighty says:

9:11 'And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy...'

9:14 Meaning: In granting you success, disciplining you,

9:17 And teaching you that which you did not know,

9:21 '...you would have followed Satan, except for a few.'

9:25 Because man by nature is prone to wrongdoing and ignorance,

9:28 So his lower self commands him only with evil.

9:32 But when he turns to his Lord, seeks refuge in Him, and strives in that,

9:36 His Lord is subtle with him, grants him success in all good,

9:40 And protects him from the accursed Satan."

9:45 So verify, my noble sister, what you hear in women's gatherings,

9:50 And be deliberate in what you convey.

9:53 For people have made women a proverb

9:56 For the speed of spreading news without verification or deliberation,

10:01 And this may cause you to fall into sin without realizing it.

10:05 We ask Allah to protect us from the accursed Satan.

10:10 But how did the Queen of Sheba receive

10:13 The letter of the Prophet of Allah, Solomon?

10:16 And what was her people's stance regarding the letter?

10:20 We will continue in an upcoming gathering, Allah willing.

10:24 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

10:28 The story of the Queen of Sheba

10:31 With the Prophet of Allah, Solomon (peace be upon him).

The story of the Queen of Sheba | Episode (7) | We will consider whether you are telling the truth or whether you are liars

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