We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!" 15 Solomon succeeded David. He said, "Know, my people, that we have been taught the speech of birds and endowed with all good things. Surely this is God's manifest grace." 16 And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups. 17 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it." 18 So he smiled, wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones. 19 (On another occasion) Solomon inspected the birds and said: "Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he among the absentees? 20 I shall surely punish him severely or order him to be executed, unless he gives me a good reason for his absence." 21 And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba. 22 I found a woman ruling over them, who has been given everything and she has a mighty throne. 23 "I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,- 24 [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare - 25 “Allah – there is no True God except Him, the Owner of the Great Throne.” (Command of Prostration # 8) ۩ 26 ۞ He replied: 'We shall see if what you have said is true or whether you are among those who lie. 27 Go with this my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they return, 28 She said, "O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter. 29 Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, 30 Do not rise up against me, but come to me in surrender (Muslims)." 31