We bestowed knowledge on David and Solomon and they both said, "Praise be to God who has exalted us above many of His believing servants." 15 And Sulaiman (Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dawud (David). He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allah)." 16 Soloman's army, consisting of human beings, jinn, and birds were gathered together in his presence in ranks. 17 Until when they came to the valley of the ants, a she ant exclaimed, “O ants, enter your houses – may not Sulaiman and his armies crush you, unknowingly.” 18 But he smiled, laughing at its words, and he said, 'My Lord, dispose me that I may be thankful for Thy blessing wherewith Thou hast blessed me and my father and mother, and that I may do righteousness well-pleasing to Thee; and do Thou admit me, by Thy mercy, amongst Thy righteous servants.' 19 And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent? 20 I will inflict a severe punishment on him or maybe even slaughter him unless he comes forth with a convincing reason (for his absence)." 21 But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true. 22 "Behold, I found there a woman ruling over them; and she has been given [abundance] of all [good] things, and hers is a mighty throne, 23 But she and her people prostrate to the sun instead of Allah. And satan has made their deeds seem pleasing to them and barred them from the Path, and therefore they are not guided. 24 “Why do they not prostrate to Allah, Who brings forth the things hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows all what you hide and all what you disclose?” 25 Allah, there is no god except He, the Lord of the Mighty Throne' ۩ 26 ۞ (Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars. 27 Take this letter of mine, and cast it unto them, then turn back from them and see what they shall return ' 28 She (the Queen of Sheba) said: 'O Council, look, an honorable letter has been dropped to me. 29 Behold, it is from Solomon, and it says, 'In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace: 30 [God says:] Exalt not yourselves against Me, but come unto Me in willing surrender!'" 31