And assuredly We vouchsafed unto Daud and Sulaiman a knowledge, and the twain said: praise unto Allah Who hath preferred us above many of His believing bondmen! 15 And Sulaiman inherited from Daud. And he said: O mankind! Verily we have been taught the diction of birds, and we have been vcuchsafed of everything; and verily this is grace manifest. 16 Soloman's army, consisting of human beings, jinn, and birds were gathered together in his presence in ranks. 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 (Solomon) smiled, amused at her speech, and said: "O Lord grant me that I should be grateful for the favours You have bestowed on me and my parents, and do good things of Your pleasing; and admit me among Your righteous devotees by Your grace." 19 And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent? 20 Surely, I will punish him with a terrible punishment, or I will slaughter him or he gives me a good 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 Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty 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 worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim, 25 He is God: there is no deity but He, the Lord of the mighty throne." ۩ 26 ۞ Solomon said, "We shall see whether you are truthful or a liar. 27 Take this letter of mine, and cast it unto them, then turn back from them and see what they shall return ' 28 The Queen of Sheba said, "O Counsellors, an honourable letter has been delivered to me. 29 Behold, it is from Solomon, and it says, 'In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace: 30 "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)' " 31