THE NOBLE QURAN (A warning and good news for mankind)

27. Surah An Naml (The Ants)

19. So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves."

20. He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

21. "I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."

22. 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.

23. "I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne.

24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaitan (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allah's) Way, so they have no guidance,"

25. Al-La (this word has two interpretations) (A) [As Shaitan (Satan) has barred them from Allah's Way] so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allah, or (B) So that they may worship (prostrate before) Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 19, Page 149]

26. Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

27. [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.

28. "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return."

29. She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,

30. "Verily! It is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful;

31. "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)' "

32. She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."

33. They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."

34. She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honourable amongst its people low. And thus they do.

35. "But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return."

36. So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaiman (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

37. [Then Sulaiman (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased."

38. He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"

39. An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."