And We indeed bestowed great knowledge to Dawud and Sulaiman; and they both said, “All praise is to Allah, Who bestowed us superiority over many of His believing bondmen.” 15 And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour. 16 And there were gathered unto Sulaiman his hosts of jinns and mankind and birds, and they were set in bands. 17 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving. 18 Smiling at the ant's utterance, Solomon burst into laughter and said: "My Lord! Hold me under (Your) control that I may render thanks for the favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may act righteously in a manner that would please You. Include me, out of Your Mercy, among Your righteous servants." 19 And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees? 20 "I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason." 21 But he was not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings. 22 I found a woman ruling the people there and she possessed something of (almost) everything and a great throne. 23 I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright; 24 (Satan has done this) so that they will not worship God who brings forth whatever is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows whatever you conceal or reveal. 25 Allah, there is no god but He: He is the Lord of mighty power. ۩ 26 ۞ [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars. 27 Go with this my letter and convey it to them; and thereafter withdraw from them and see what [answer] they return." 28 (The Queen of Sheba) said to her officials, "A gracious letter has been dropped before me. 29 "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: 30 "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'" 31