Prophet Dawud (pbuh) had nineteen sons. Allah had granted
Prophet Dawud (pbuh) the Zabur. He also became King of his
people.
Each of his sons hoped to inherit their father’s throne. Allah
revealed to Prophet Dawud (pbuh) some questions to put to
each of his sons. Whoever answered the questions correctly,
would inherit his father’s throne.
One day, Prophet Dawud (pbuh) called all his sons in the
presence of all the scholars and leaders of all the tribes in his
kingdom. He asked them all the following questions:
1) Which is the nearest thing to a human being?
2) Which is the furthest thing to a human being?
3) Which two things are attached to each other?
4) Which is the most shocking thing?
5) Which two things remain unchanged?
6) Which two things are always different?
7) Which two things are opposed to each other?
8) What is the action the result of which is good?
9) What is the action the result of which is bad?
Only the youngest son, Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) stood up
and gave the following answers:
1) The nearest thing to a human being is the hereafter
(death may come at any moment)
2) The furthest thing from a human being is the time
which has passed away.
3) The two things that are attached to each other are the
body and the soul.
4) The most shocking thing is a dead body (a body with
out a soul).
5) The two things which remain the same are the sky and
the earth.
6) The two things which are different are the night and
day.
7) The two things opposed to each other are life and
death.
8) The action, the result of which is good is patience at
the time of anger.
9) The action, the result of which is bad is haste at the
time of anger. Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) was
appointed the successor to his father’s throne.
Excellent Stories Vol 1