We gave knowledge to David and Soloman. They said, "It is only God who deserves all praise. He has exalted us above many of His believing servants." 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 gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows. 17 Until when they came to the valley of the ants, a she ant exclaimed, “O ants, enter your houses – may not Sulaiman and his armies crush you, unknowingly.” 18 He therefore smiled beamingly at her speech*, and submitted, “My Lord, bestow me guidance so that I thank you for the favour which You bestowed upon me and my parents, and so that I may perform the good deeds which please You, and by Your mercy include me among Your bondmen who are worthy of Your proximity.” (Prophet Sulaiman heard the voice of the she ant from far away.) 19 He reviewed the birds and said: 'Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe here? Or is he among the absent? 20 Assuredly I will chastise him with a terrible chastisement, or I will slaughter him, or he bring me a clear authority.' 21 And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba. 22 I found there a woman ruling over them, one who has been endowed with all things and has a mighty throne. 23 And I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of God; and Satan has made these doings of theirs seem goodly to them, and [thus] has barred them from the path [of God,] so that they cannot find the right way: 24 [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare - 25 Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne." ۩ 26 ۞ [Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars. 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 eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter. 29 “Indeed it is from Sulaiman, and it is (begins) with ‘Allah – beginning with the name of – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.’” 30 "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)' " 31