1. We were told by Ahmad bin Ahmad bin Yahya al-Mukattab, that he said: We were told by Abu’l-Teeb, Ahmad bin Muhammed al-Warraq, that he said: We were told by Ali bin Harun al-Himyari, that he said: We were told by Ali bin Muhammed bin Sulayman al-Nawfali, that he said: I was told by my father, from Ali bin Yaqteen, that he said: I said to Abu’l-Hasan, Musa bin Ja’far, peace be upon them both: Is it permissible for a Prophet of Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, to be stingy? He said: No. Then I said: Then what is the indication of the saying of Sulayman, peace be upon him: «My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that shall not be for anyone after me» (38:35)? And what is its meaning? He said: A kingdom is (of) two (types of) kingdoms: one kingdom that is taken by victory, tyranny and election by the people; and one kingdom that is taken (by being granted) from Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, such as the kingdom of the Family of Ibrahim and the kingdom of Talut and the One with Two Horns. Sulayman, peace be upon him, said: «Grant me a kingdom, one by which it shall not be, for anyone after me, to say that it is taken with victory, tyranny and election by the people.» Hence, Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, subjected the wind to him by which it flows, by his command, gently where he approaches, and he made its going be for one month and its coming be for another month. Moreover, he subjected the devils to him, every labouring and diving, and he was taught the speech of birds, and he was given the ability (to all) on earth. Then, people during his time, and after it, knew that his kingdom does not resemble the kingdom of kings that are chosen by the people and those who became kings through victory and tyranny. He said: I said to him: And the saying of Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family: «May Allah grant mercy to my brother, Sulayman, how stingy he was»? He said: His sayings has two (possible) indications: one of them is how stingy he was with regards to his honor and bad statement about himself; and the other indication says: «How stingy he was, if it was that he intended what the ignorant ones think.» He, peace be upon him, then said: Surely, we have, by Allah, been granted what Sulayman was granted and what Sulayman was not granted, and what none from all the worlds was given. Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, said with regards to the story of Sulayman: «This is Our grant, so grant or withhold without account.» (38:39) He said with regards to the story of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family: «Whatever the Messenger brings you, take it, and what he forbade you, refrain.» (59:7) [1]