How do we reconcile your statement that zuhd is leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter with the statement of Sulayman: “My Lord, grant me a kingdom that should not belong to anyone after me”?

The questioner : How do we reconcile your statement that zuhd is leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter with the answer of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) … that if it increased, he would not rejoice, and if it decreased, he would not grieve, and likewise the statement of Sulayman: ?

The Shaykh : The prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) observe things they need, and for this reason he said: Otherwise, the issue would be problematic, that Sulayman would reject the blessing of Allah or reject the favor of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and say: But the prophets have circumstances that necessitate asking Allah (Mighty and Majestic) with this supplication. As for what Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said, perhaps Imam Ahmad intended by zuhd wara' (scrupulousness), because there is no blame on a person for asking for an increase in wealth, even if he does not benefit from it in the Hereafter, provided that he is not harmed by it. For an increase in wealth, as we told you a little while ago, if it leads to doing evil, arrogance, and forbidden joy, it contradicts wara' and zuhd. If it does not lead to that, but it does not lead to doing good, it contradicts zuhd but does not contradict wara'. And if the increase is for the sake of spending it in good and for the interests of creation, then it is zuhd.