Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "My example and the example o the people is like that of a person who lit a fire and let the moths, butterflies and these insects fall in it." He also said, "There were two women, each of whom had a child with her. A wolf came and took away the child of one of them, whereupon the other said, 'It has taken your child.' The first said, 'But it has taken your child.' So they both carried the case before David who judged that the living child be given to the elder lady. So both of them went to Solomon bin David and informed him (of the case). He said, 'Bring me a knife so as to cut the child into two pieces and distribute it between them.' The younger lady said, 'May Allah be merciful to you! Don't do that, for it is her (i.e. the other lady's) child.' So he gave the child to the younger lady."
Prophets - Sahih al-Bukhari 3426, 3427
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "My example and the example of the people is like that of a person who lit a fire and let the moths, butterflies and these insects fall in it." He also said, "There were two women, each of whom had a child with her. A wolf came and took away the child of one of them, whereupon the other said, 'It has taken your child.' The first said, 'But it has taken your child.' So they both carried the case before David who judged that the living child be given to the elder lady. So both of them went to Solomon bin David and informed him (of the case). He said, 'Bring me a knife so as to cut the child into two pieces and distribute it between them.' The younger lady said, 'May Allah be merciful to you! Don't do that, for it is her (i.e. the other lady's) child.' So he gave the child to the younger lady."
Commentary on the First Parable
The Prophet's analogy of the fire represents his guidance, which illuminates the path of truth. The insects rushing into the fire symbolize those who, despite clear guidance, choose to follow their desires and fall into disobedience and destruction. This illustrates that while the Prophet brought complete illumination, some souls willingly embrace misguidance.
Commentary on Solomon's Judgment
This narrative demonstrates the wisdom granted to Prophet Solomon. His threat to divide the child revealed the true mother through her natural compassion. The real mother preferred losing her child to seeing him harmed, while the impostor showed no such mercy. This judgment exemplifies divine wisdom in discerning truth through psychological insight.
Scholarly Observations
The combination of these two narrations in one hadith serves multiple purposes: it establishes the Prophet's role as warner, illustrates the consequences of rejecting guidance, and demonstrates the superiority of prophetic wisdom. The story of Solomon particularly highlights how Allah grants special understanding to His chosen messengers to administer justice with profound insight.
Scholars note that this hadith also establishes the permissibility of using strategic methods to uncover truth in judicial matters, provided they serve justice and do not cause actual harm. Solomon's approach became a timeless example of wise judgment in Islamic jurisprudence.