We gave David and Solomon knowledge; and they said: "All praise be to God who has favoured us over many of His creatures who believe." 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 And his hosts were mustered to Solomon, jinn, men and birds, duly disposed; 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 he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants." 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 [If so,] I will punish him most severely or will kill him unless he bring me a convincing excuse!" 21 But the hoopoe stayed not long, he (came up and) said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news. 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 Satan maketh their works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright; 24 To worship God who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and is cognisant of what you hide and what you disclose. 25 “Allah – there is no True God except Him, the Owner of the Great Throne.” (Command of Prostration # 8) ۩ 26 ۞ Solomon said, "We shall see whether you are truthful or 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 She (the Queen of Sheba) said: 'O Council, look, an honorable letter has been dropped to me. 29 It is from Solomon and it is "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. 30 Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].' " 31