What is the interpretation of Allah Almighty’s saying: (So he began to stroke their shins and necks) and what is the preponderant opinion regarding whether Solomon (peace be upon him) stroked the horses’ necks gently, or struck their necks with the sword?

The verses describe the horses presented to the Prophet of Allah, Sulaiman, as "الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ" (the standing ones, the swift), meaning those that stand on three legs and touch the tip of the hoof of the fourth, and are swift.

Scholars have differed in their interpretation of the Almighty's saying: (فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالأَعْنَاقِ - So he began to stroke their shanks and necks):

1. That he stroked them with his hand out of love for them. This was the interpretation favored by Al-Tabari. 2. That he cut their shanks and necks with a sword or by slaughtering them, because they distracted him from the remembrance of his Lord and caused him to miss the prayer. This is the view of most exegetes and early Muslims (Salaf), and it was chosen by Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, Al-Shawkani, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, and Ibn 'Uthaymin.

The second opinion is more likely, as the context indicates that he punished himself by destroying what diverted him from the remembrance of Allah. It is not suitable for the meaning to be merely stroking them with his hand. Furthermore, destroying wealth for a legitimate purpose, such as expiating a sin, was permissible in their law.