Surah An-Naml 27: 20-40 |
Then Solomon inspected the birds, and said, "How is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he absent then?I shall surely punish him severely or order him to be executed, unless he gives me a good reason for his absence."But he was not long in coming, and said, "I have learnt something you did not know. I have come to you from Sheba with reliable news.I found a woman ruling over them, who has been given everything and she has a mighty throne.I found her and her people worshipping the sun, instead of God. Satan has made their conduct appear good to them, and has thus diverted them from the right path, so that they might not be guided.Should they not worship God who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth and knows both what you conceal and what you make known?He is God: there is no deity but He, the Lord of the mighty throne."Solomon said, "We shall soon see whether you have spoken the truth, or whether you are a liar.Go with this letter of mine and lay it before them, then withdraw from them and see how they respond."The Queen of Sheba said, "O Counsellors, an honourable letter has been delivered to me.It is from Solomon. It reads, "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,do not exalt yourselves above me, but come to me in all submission."Now advise me in this, Counsellors. I never decide any affair till I have conferred with you."They said, "We are strong and our prowess in battle is great, but the decision is in your hands, so consider what you will command."She said, "Surely, when mighty kings invade a country, they despoil it and humiliate its noblest inhabitants, these men will do the same,but I shall send them a present and see with what reply my envoys will return."So when [the envoy] came to Solomon he said, "What! Are you offering me wealth? But that which God has given me is better than that which He has given you. Yet you rejoice in your gift.Go back to them: we shall most certainly come upon them with forces which they will never be able to withstand, and shall most certainly cause them to be driven from their lands, disgraced and humbled!"Solomon then said, "O Counsellors, which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?A demon from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy enough to do it."But one of them who had some knowledge of the Book said, "I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye." When Solomon saw it placed before him, he exclaimed, "This is by the grace of my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whosoever is grateful, it is for the good of his own self; and whosoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is self-sufficient and generous.