How can the supplication of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) — "He said, 'My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as shall not belong to anyone after me'" — be reconciled with Prophet Muhammad's attempt to tie up the 'ifrit' (demon) and then releasing it in remembrance of Sulaiman's supplication?

The Prophet's (peace be upon him) ability to bind the 'ifrit does not contradict the supplication of Sulaiman (peace be upon him), because Sulaiman's exclusivity lies in a comprehensive and general dominion over the subjugation of jinn and wind. The Prophet's refraining from seizing the devil in another incident was out of respect for Sulaiman's supplication: "And grant me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me." (Quran 38:35). As for Abu Hurayrah's seizing of the devil, it is probable that the devil the Prophet tried to bind was the chief of devils, whereas the devil Abu Hurayrah seized was in human form, which does not rival Sulaiman's dominion.