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, 'Men, we have been taught the speech of the birds, and we have been given of everything; surely this is indeed the manifest bounty.' 16 Soloman's army, consisting of human beings, jinn, and birds were gathered together in his presence in ranks. 17 When they arrived in the valley of the ants, one ant said to the others, "Enter your dwellings lest you be carelessly crushed by Soloman and his army." 18 He smiled, and laughed at its words, and said: 'My Lord, inspire me that I should be thankful for Your blessing with which You have blessed me and my parents, and that I may do good works that will please You. Admit me, by Your Mercy, among Your righteous worshipers' 19 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or 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 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 There I found a woman ruling over them. She possess everything and has a great throne. 23 "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaitan (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allah's) Way, so they have no guidance," 24 So that they adore not Allah who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth that which ye conceal and that which ye make known. 25 God, save whom there is no deity - the Sustainer, in awesome almightiness enthroned!" ۩ 26 ۞ He replied: 'We shall see if what you have said is true or whether you are among those who lie. 27 Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return." 28 The woman said, “O chieftains, indeed a noble letter has been dropped upon me.” 29 It is from Solomon, and it is: "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." 30 "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'" 31