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 [in this insight] Solomon was [truly] David's heir; and he would say: "O you people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and have been given [in abundance] of all [good] things: this, behold, is indeed a manifest favour [from God]!" 16 We gathered to Solomon his army of jinn, humans and birds; gathered and dispersed, 17 and when they came to the Valley of the Ants, one ant said, "Ants! Go into your dwellings, in case Solomon and his hosts inadvertently crush you." 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 reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees? 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 So Hudhud did not stay absent for long, and presenting himself submitted, “I have witnessed a matter that your majesty has not seen, and I have brought definite information to you from the city of Saba.” 22 I found a woman ruling the people there and she possessed something of (almost) everything and 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 that they would prostrate themselves before Allah Who brings to light all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows all that you conceal and all that you reveal. 25 Allah! there is no God but he, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne. ۩ 26 ۞ [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars. 27 Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return." 28 She said: O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me 29 Verily it is from Sulaiman, and verily it is: in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. 30 “That ‘Do not wish eminence above me, and present yourselves humbly to me, with submission.’” 31