The Queen of Sheba

She said, “O nobles, a letter has been delivered to me

27:29(The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter.

It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

27:30Lo! it is from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;

Do not act arrogantly toward me, but come to me in submission.’”

27:31Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender.

She said, “O nobles, advise me in this matter, I do not decide anything without your counsel.”

27:32She said: O chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present with me.

They said, “We are strong and capable of war, but the decision is yours; consider what you will command.”

27:33They said: We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command; so consider what thou wilt command.

She said, “When kings enter a land, they ruin it and humiliate its noblest people. This is what they do.

27:34She said: Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people shame. Thus will they do.

But I will send them a gift and see what response the envoys bring.”

27:35But lo! I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers return.

When her envoy arrived, Solomon said, “Do you offer me wealth? What Allah has given me is far greater than what He has given you. No, you rejoice in your gift.

27:36So when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.

Return to them, for we will come upon them with forces they cannot resist, and we will expel them in disgrace.”

27:37Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased.

He said, “O nobles, who among you can bring me her throne before she arrives in submission?”

27:38He said: O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me, surrendering?

A powerful jinn said, “I will bring it to you before you rise from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy.”

27:39A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.

But one who had knowledge of the Book said, “I will bring it to you in the blink of an eye.” And when Solomon saw it placed before him, he said, “This is by the grace of my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful, benefits himself; and whoever is ungrateful, my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.”

27:40One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.

He said, “Disguise her throne, we shall see whether she recognizes it or remains unaware.”

27:41He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided.

When she arrived, she was asked, “Is this your throne?” She said, “It appears to be so.” Solomon said, “We were given knowledge before her, and we have submitted to Allah.”

27:42So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).

But she had been hindered by what she worshiped besides Allah, she was from a disbelieving people.

27:43And (all) that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk.

She was told, “Enter the palace.” But when she saw its floor, she thought it was a pool of water and lifted her dress. Solomon said, “It is a palace paved with glass.” She said, “My Lord, I have wronged myself, but now I submit to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, along with Solomon.”

27:44It was said unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.