We gave knowledge to David and Solomon. They said: 'Praise be to Allah who has preferred us above many of His believing worshipers' 15 And Solomon succeeded David and said: "O people, we have been taught the speech of birds and we have been endowed with all kinds of things. Surely this is a conspicuous favour (from Allah)." 16 And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups. 17 till, when they came on the Valley of Ants, an ant said, 'Ants, enter your dwelling-places, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, being unaware!' 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 He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? 20 I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment, or kill him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea. 21 But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. 22 “I have seen a woman who rules over them, and she has been given from all things, and she has a mighty throne.” 23 I found her and her people prostrating before the sun instead of God. Satan has made their deeds attractive to them. He has kept them away from the right path and they have no guidance. 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 if you speak the truth or you are a liar. 27 Go thou with this epistle of mine, and cast it down unto them, and turn aside from them, and see how they return. 28 The Queen said:" Know my nobles that a gracious letter has been delivered to me. 29 "Verily! It is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful; 30 Rise not up against me, but come to me in surrender." ' 31