1. ALI 138: Tafseer of Sura Saba Session Four __________________________________________ Questions for Tadabbur : Verses 10 - 14 1) List the favors given to Nabi Dawood (a) and Nabi Sulayman (a). What are some similarities? Some differences? 2) What is the difference between the following: - Fadhl - Lutf - Ne’mat 3) Why are most people ungrateful? 4) What lessons are there in the death of Nabi Sulayman (a) ?

2. Points to ponder over Doing work well.... And keep the measure in arranging [the links] Doing work well.... And keep the measure in arranging [the links] Virtuous deeds are the true aim of life. Working for income is not the true meaning of life. Virtuous deeds are the true aim of life. Working for income is not the true meaning of life. Power and strength in iron, and in the wind. Power and strength in iron, and in the wind. Punishment for the Jinn Punishment for the Jinn The work of the Jinns, both for the spiritual needs and the worldly needs of the Kingdom. The work of the Jinns, both for the spiritual needs and the worldly needs of the Kingdom. Shift in who the verses are addressed to, form singular to plural. Shift in who the verses are addressed to, form singular to plural.

3. The Grace given to Prophets Dawood and Sulayman (a) Certainly We gave Dawood and Sulayman knowledge, and they said: “All Praise belongs to Allah, who granted us an advantage over many of His faithful servants. (27:15) Certainly We gave Dawood and Sulayman knowledge, and they said: “All Praise belongs to Allah, who granted us an advantage over many of His faithful servants. (27:15) And Sulayman was Dawood’s heir, and he said: O men! We have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things. Most surely this is a manifest grace. Sulayman inherited from Dawood and he said: “O people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and we have been given out of everything, Indeed this is a manifest advantage” (27:16) And Sulayman was Dawood’s heir, and he said: O men! We have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things. Most surely this is a manifest grace. Sulayman inherited from Dawood and he said: “O people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and we have been given out of everything, Indeed this is a manifest advantage” (27:16) My Lord! Inspire me to give thanks for Your blessings, with which You have blessed me and my parents, that I may do righteous deeds which may please You... (27:19) My Lord! Inspire me to give thanks for Your blessings, with which You have blessed me and my parents, that I may do righteous deeds which may please You... (27:19)

4. Test of Allah in Blessings Some people are tested through hardships, and some through ease and comfort. Both are God given circumstances to see what human beings will do with them. Some people are tested through hardships, and some through ease and comfort. Both are God given circumstances to see what human beings will do with them. As for man, when his lord tests him and grants him honor and blesses him, As for man, when his lord tests him and grants him honor and blesses him, he says: “My Lord has honored me”. he says: “My Lord has honored me”. But when He tests him and tightens for him his provision, But when He tests him and tightens for him his provision, he says, “My Lord has humiliated me ”. he says, “My Lord has humiliated me ”. (89:15-16) (89:15-16)

5. Appropriate response to Blessings Know that it is from Allah. When the throne of Bilqis was brought to Nabi Sulayman, he said; This is by the Grace of my Lord, to test me if I will give thanks or will be ungrateful. (27:40). In comparison, Qarun said about his wealth; Know that it is from Allah. When the throne of Bilqis was brought to Nabi Sulayman, he said; This is by the Grace of my Lord, to test me if I will give thanks or will be ungrateful. (27:40). In comparison, Qarun said about his wealth; I have indeed been given [all] this because of the knowledge that I have. (28:78) I have indeed been given [all] this because of the knowledge that I have. (28:78) Thank Allah for the favors. Imam Ali (a) says: Thank Allah for the favors. Imam Ali (a) says: Even if Allah had not warned His servants from disobedience, it would have Even if Allah had not warned His servants from disobedience, it would have been obligatory on them to worship Him out of gratitude for His favors. been obligatory on them to worship Him out of gratitude for His favors. Be humble despite the blessings. Hadith tells us: Be humble despite the blessings. Hadith tells us: - The best of mankind is he who is humble despite having high rank (Holy Prophet (s)) - The best of mankind is he who is humble despite having high rank (Holy Prophet (s)) - Humbleness despite rank is like forgiveness despite power (Imam Ali (a) ) - Humbleness despite rank is like forgiveness despite power (Imam Ali (a) ) Use the blessing for the Hereafter. Use the blessing for the Hereafter. By the means of what Allah has given you, seek the abode of the hereafter, while not forgetting your share of this world. Be good to others just as Allah ahs been good to you.. (28:77) By the means of what Allah has given you, seek the abode of the hereafter, while not forgetting your share of this world. Be good to others just as Allah ahs been good to you.. (28:77)

6. Tasbeeh of all living things ■ The seven heavens declare His glory and the earth, and those who are in them, and there is not a single thing but glorifies Him with His praise, but you do not understand their glorification; surely He is Forbearing, Forgiving. (17:44) ■ When Nabi Dawood recited the Psalms all living creatures followed him. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a) says: When he [Nabi Dawood] came out reading the zabur, there was no mountain, no stone, no bird, except that it answered him.

7. The meaning of Shukr Shukr is of three types: Shukr is of three types: - from the heart - on the tongue - through the actions of the body Shukr al-Mutalq – when the entire life of a human being is according to what Allah wants from Him. Shukr al-Mutalq – when the entire life of a human being is according to what Allah wants from Him. Allah revealed to Nabi Musa (a): O Musa, thank me the way I should be thanked. Nabi Musa (a) replied: My Lord! How can I thank you the way You should be thanked when every thanks that I give You is a favor from You? Allah replied: Now you have thanked me correctly, for you have realized your inability to thank me. Allah revealed to Nabi Musa (a): O Musa, thank me the way I should be thanked. Nabi Musa (a) replied: My Lord! How can I thank you the way You should be thanked when every thanks that I give You is a favor from You? Allah replied: Now you have thanked me correctly, for you have realized your inability to thank me.

8. Lessons from the Death of Nabi Sulayman (a) ■ ■ The Story of Nabi Sulayman (a) and the angel of death ■ However strong a human being is, he is till weak and powerless in the face of Allah’s decree. Imam Ali (a) says: If there was anyone who could secure a ladder to everlasting life, or a way to avoid death, it was Sulayman bin Dawood (a) who was given control over the domain of the Jinn and men, along with Prophethood and great position. But when he finished what was his due in food (of this world) and exhausted his time, the bow of destruction shot him with the arrow of death. His houses became vacant and his habitations became empty. ( Nahjul Balagha, Khutba 182) ■ The Jinn do not have any knowledge of the Unseen ■ Sometimes a great thing can be brought down by a tiny thing.