15. Walaqad atayna dawooda wasulaymana AAilman waqala alhamdu lillahi allathee faddalana AAala katheerin min AAibadihi almu/mineena
15. We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"
16. Wawaritha sulaymanu dawooda waqala ya ayyuha alnnasu AAullimna mantiqa alttayri waooteena min kulli shay-in inna hatha lahuwa alfadlu almubeenu
16. And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)"
17. Wahushira lisulaymana junooduhu mina aljinni waal-insi waalttayri fahum yoozaAAoona
17. And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
18. Hatta itha ataw AAala wadi alnnamli qalat namlatun ya ayyuha alnnamlu odkhuloo masakinakum la yahtimannakum sulaymanu wajunooduhu wahum la yashAAuroona
18. At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."
19. Fatabassama dahikan min qawliha waqala rabbi awziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAala walidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahu waadkhilnee birahmatika fee AAibadika alssaliheena
19. So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."
20. Watafaqqada alttayra faqala ma liya la ara alhudhuda am kana mina algha-ibeena
20. And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?
21. LaoAAaththibannahu AAathaban shadeedan aw laathbahannahu aw laya/tiyannee bisultanin mubeenin
21. "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)."
22. Famakatha ghayra baAAeedin faqala ahattu bima lam tuhit bihi waji/tuka min saba-in binaba-in yaqeenin
22. But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.
23. Innee wajadtu imraatan tamlikuhum waootiyat min kulli shay-in walaha AAarshun AAatheemun
23. "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.
24. Wajadtuha waqawmaha yasjudoona lilshshamsi min dooni Allahi wazayyana lahumu alshshaytanu aAAmalahum fasaddahum AAani alssabeeli fahum la yahtadoona
24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah. Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,-
25. Alla yasjudoo lillahi allathee yukhriju alkhabaa fee alssamawati waal-ardi wayaAAlamu ma tukhfoona wama tuAAlinoona
25. "(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.
26. Allahu la ilaha illa huwa rabbu alAAarshi alAAatheemi
26. "(Allah)!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
27. Qala sananthuru asadaqta am kunta mina alkathibeena
27. (Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
28. Ithhab bikitabee hatha faalqih ilayhim thumma tawalla AAanhum faonthur matha yarjiAAoona
28. "Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return"...
29. Qalat ya ayyuha almalao innee olqiya ilayya kitabun kareemun
29. (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect.
30. Innahu min sulaymana wa-innahu bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
30. "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:
31. Alla taAAloo AAalayya wa/toonee muslimeena
31. "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"
32. Qalat ya ayyuha almalao aftoonee fee amree ma kuntu qatiAAatan amran hatta tashhadoona
32. She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."