Lesson 2: Sulaiman the Good Judge

Sulaiman had been blessed with wisdom and he ruled his kingdom with justice, applying the rules that Allah had commanded and using insight to come to the correct ruling.

Once there was a case before him and his father Dawud . Two women had slept next to their babies during the night. A wolf came and took away the baby of one of the women. When they woke up one woman said to the other, “the wolf has taken your son” (knowing that it was her son who had been taken).

Thus began the dispute between them that they took first to Dawud who judged that the son remaining was to be given to the elder woman. This did not settle the dispute so they went to Sulaiman who thought of a way to test the motherhood of the son.

Sulaiman asked that a knife be brought for the boy to be cut in two with each half of him given to each woman. The younger woman and true mother said, “Do not do so; may Allah bless you! He is her child.” She would rather her son be alive and away from her than be dead and have a part of him. With this, Sulaiman judged the case in favour of the younger woman and true mother of the boy.

Sulaiman would sit from the morning and see to the matters of his people till midday.

Summary of Lesson

This lesson you have learnt that:

Sulaiman ruled with wisdom and justice.

He judged disputes using insight and understanding.

He was able to identify the true mother through her compassion.

He dedicated his time to serving and judging the people.

Key Lessons

True justice requires wisdom - Sulaiman used intelligence and insight to reach the correct ruling.

Compassion reveals truth - The real mother showed mercy and sacrifice, exposing the truth.

Leaders must serve their people - Sulaiman spent his time dealing with the affairs of his people.

Main reference used: Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim