And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants." 15 And Solomon succeeded David and said: "O people, we have been taught the speech of birds and we have been endowed with all kinds of things. Surely this is a conspicuous favour (from Allah)." 16 Hosts of jinn and humans and birds were marshalled for Solomon and were kept under full control. 17 till, when they came upon a valley [full] of ants, an ant exclaimed: "O you ants! Get into your dwellings, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you without [even] being aware [of you]!" 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 (Solomon) inspected the birds and said, "How is it that I cannot see the hoopoe. Is he absent? 20 Assuredly I will chastise him with a terrible chastisement, or I will slaughter him, or he bring me a clear authority.' 21 Not before long the hoopoe came up and said: "I have obtained a knowledge which you could not. I have brought for you sure news about Sheba. 22 Surely I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty throne: 23 I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided, 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 god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" ۩ 26 ۞ Solomon said, "We shall see whether you are truthful or a liar. 27 Take this letter of mine, deliver it to them, and then draw back from them, and observe what they do." 28 (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. 29 Lo! it is from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; 30 Do not consider yourselves superior to me but come to me as Muslims (in submission)". 31