And certainly We gave knowledge to Dawood and Sulaiman, and they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants. 15 And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour. 16 And assembled together for Sulaiman were his armies of jinns and men, and of birds – so they had to be restricted. 17 Till they reached the Valley of Naml. Said the lady of Naml: "O Naml, go into your dwellings lest Solomon and his hordes should crush you unawares." 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 after the birds and said: what aileth me that I see not the hoopoe; is he among the absentees? 20 [If so,] I will punish him most severely or will kill him unless he bring me a convincing excuse!" 21 He was not long in coming, and said: 'I know what you do not know. I come to you from Sheba with certain news. 22 I found a woman reigning over them, and she has been favoured with everything; and she has a throne that is magnificent. 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 Do they not prostrate themselves to Allah who brings forth all that is concealed in the heavens and earth and He knows what they hide and what they reveal? 25 God: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.' ۩ 26 ۞ He replied: 'We shall see if what you have said is true or whether you are among those who lie. 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 "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: 30 Do not rise against me, but come to me in submission.' 31