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Creative Problem Solving "Problems are only opportunities
in work clothes." Problems and problem solving are as old as humans themselves. From the time when the first descendants of Hawa (Eve) and Adam learned that animal skins would shield them from the cold, or that fire would warm them and cook their food, we have been a problem solving creatures. The Qu'ran is full of examples of how the prophets (peace be upon them) were presented with problems and how they solved them. The prophets of Allah (swt) did not create problems, nor stifle others who worked to solve problems, but engaged in effective and sometimes very creative problem solving. People far and wide knew them to be wise, due, in part, to their problem solving ability. When Sulaiman [Soloman] (pbuh) was confronted of the problem of two women claiming to be the mother of one child, he came up with a very creative way to solve the problem. As you may remember, two women shared living space with each other and their own infant sons. One night a wolf crept in and ran off with one of the babies. The next morning both women began to argue that the remaining baby was hers. The argument got very loud and soon attracted the attention of Prophet Dawud [David] (pbuh). He listened to both sides and rendered a decision. But one of the women was not happy with the solution he reached, so they took the case to Sulaiman This was sort of like not being happy with a decision in a lower court and taking case to the appellate court or even the Supreme Court. Sulaiman listened to both women. (Part of being a good problem solver is also being a good listener.) He thought for a bit. "Bring me a knife!" he ordered. "What? Why?" came the questions from the crowd and the mothers. "To tell you the truth ladies, I don't know who to believe. So I think the only fair thing to do is to cut the baby in half, and give half to each of you." He explained. |