If some of the Companions—Alī or others—heard it from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—as Abū Hurayra did, or heard it from Abū Hurayra, that is not implausible. This story shows that Allah Most High enabled Solomon to understand points of wisdom that He had not enabled David (1) to understand, just as He enabled him to discern the right judgment when they judged concerning the cultivated field into which the people’s sheep had strayed by night. Solomon had asked his Lord for a judgment that would accord with His own judgment. Nevertheless, this alone does not warrant judging Solomon to be superior to David—peace be upon them both.

[Section: The Rāfidī’s claim that Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—ordered a woman who gave birth after six months to be stoned, but Alī stopped him]

Section (2)

The Rāfidī (3) said:

“He ordered a woman who had given birth after six months to be stoned. Alī said to him, ‘If I argue against you on the basis of the Book of Allah Most High, I will prevail over you. Allah says:

‘His gestation and weaning are thirty months.’

[Sūrat al-Ahqāf: 15]

And He Most High says:

‘Mothers shall nurse their children for two full years, for whoever wishes to complete the nursing.’

[Sūrat al-Baqara: 233]”

The answer is that Umar used to consult the Companions. At times Uthmān would advise him according to what he considered correct; at other times Alī would advise him; at other times Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf would advise him; and at still other times others among them would do so. It is for this that Allah praised the believers in His words Most High:

“Their affairs are conducted through consultation among themselves.”

[Sūrat al-Shūrā: 38]

There is disagreement regarding a woman in whom there appears