their state and condition. He would sit with the poor and in order to make them happy, would say: ‘A Miskeen (humble individual) has sat with the poor.’ (Al-Zawajir ‘an Iqtiraaf Al-Kaba`ir, vol. 1, p. 163)

His fear of Allah Almighty

Allah Almighty granted Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام unmatched bounties and blessings. Even with this, Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would fear Allah Almighty in a profound and distinguished manner. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin ‘Umar رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates, that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: Whatever Allah Almighty granted Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, (meaning, knowledge, Prophethood, wisdom and kingship) despite this, due to the fear of Allah Almighty, he never raised his sight to the skies. (Tareekh Ibn-e-Asakir, vol. 22, p. 274, Hadith 4938)

Wisdom filled statements

Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would speak with utmost prudence and wisdom. Let’s now listen to three of his blessed statements.

1.   We have assessed the hardness and eases of life, and understood that a short life is sufficient. (Al-Zuhd Li-Ahmad, p. 77, Hadith 215)

2.   If speaking is silver, silence is gold. (Mawsu’ah Ibn Abi Al-Dunya, vol. 7, p. 58, Hadith 47)

3.   We were granted that which was given to the people, and also that which was not given to them. Also, we were granted that knowledge which was taught to the people, and also, such knowledge which was not taught to them. We found nothing greater than three things:

*   In both states of anger and contentment, to demonstrate forbearance and tolerance.