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 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 And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. 17 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving. 18 So he smiled, amused at her speech, and said: my Lord! arouse me that I should be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I should work righteously pleasing Thee, and out of Thy mercy enter me among Thine righteous bondmen. 19 And he surveyed the birds – he therefore said, “What is to me that I do not see the Hudhud (hoopoe), or is he really absent?” 20 Surely I shall torment him with a severe torment, or I shall slaughter him, unless he bringeth unto me a warranty manifest. 21 But he was not long in coming, and said, "I have learnt something you did not know. I have come to you from Sheba with reliable news. 22 "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent 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 (Satan has done this) so that they will not worship God who brings forth whatever is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows whatever you conceal or reveal. 25 God: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.' ۩ 26 ۞ (Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied! 27 "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return." 28 She said, 'O Council, see, a letter honourable has been cast unto me. 29 Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission. 31