*   Adopting the middle way, in both states of poverty and wealth.

*   To fear Allah Almighty, in both hidden and apparent states. (Al-Zuhd Li-Ahmad, p. 77, Hadith 214)

Advice for his children

Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would pay special attention to the raising of his children, and from time to time, would give them advice and guide them in affairs. Some of these words of wisdom he gifted to one of his sons, are as follows:

1.   O my son! Fearing Allah Almighty is compulsory upon you, because this is the extent of everything. O my son! Do not finish any work, until you discuss it with your guide. (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 6, p. 332, Hadith 8393)

2.   O my son! Do not be excessively sensitive in matters regarding your wife (exceeding the ruling of Shari’ah), to such an extent, that if you were to see any apparent fault in her, then you slander her, although she is pure from that fault. Do not laugh excessively, because laughing excessively weakens the heart of the intellectual. Also, make sure to hold fast to the fear of Allah Almighty, as He has power over everything. (Shu’ab-ul-Imam, vol. 1, p. 499, Hadith 830)

3.   O my son! You are to follow even lions and poisonous snakes, but do not follow any female. (Al-Zuhd Li-Ahmad, p. 77, Hadith 219) (This statement is not belittling women, rather, it was said to protect women and ones Nafs. A person will fear lions etc., and attempt to stay away from them, but if a person sees any part of a woman’s body, Satan will place vile thoughts in his heart and attempt to misguide him)

4.   O my son! In the state of poverty, it is of extreme abhorrence to commit sins. After guidance, falling into misguidance is shameful, and even more shameful and bad than these, is he who once