Why did the Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) not make an exception, and did he forget the exception?

The questioner : How did this matter come about with Sulayman?

The Shaykh : Yes. Yes, indeed. What is the problem?

The questioner : It is not in his power. Then, his companion mentioned it, saying, "If Allah wills," and he did not accept it.

The Shaykh : Yes. Conception is not in his power. The act is in his power, the act is in his power, but conception is not in his power. Rather, by the strength of his resolve, (peace and blessings be upon him), he swore without an exception. He swore without an exception because of the strength of his resolve in this matter. It seems that generally, whenever he gathered with a woman, she became pregnant. So he swore based on what was the norm. Yes. Are you asking, or is your question...? Yes.

The questioner : Is this Sulayman (peace be upon him) considered to have forgotten, or is it a form of seeking safety (ta'min)?

The Shaykh : He did not forget. He gathered with them.

The questioner : Good, O Kuna, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : No, he refused to say "if Allah wills" because of the strength of his resolve. It was as if he did not wish to condition it on the will of Allah. As is said now, if someone in a good state says, "By Allah, we will do such and such," and is told, "Say 'if Allah wills,'" he says, "No, I will not say 'if Allah wills.' I am resolved." This happens often.