I will punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings to me a clear plea."

Then the bird did not take long and said (to Sulaiman), "I have discovered what you did not, and have brought to you a sure information from Saba' (Sheba).

I have found a woman ruling over them and she has been given of everything (she needs) and she has a great throne.

I have found her and her people prostrating to the sun, instead of Allah, and the Shaitan has beautified their deeds for them and has prevented them from the way, so they do not take the right path,

that is, they do not prostrate to Allah who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and who knows whatever you conceal and whatever you reveal,

Allah! There is no god but He, the Lord of the Great Throne."

He (Sulaiman) said, "We shall see whether you have told the truth or you are one of the liars.

Go with this letter of mine and deliver it down to them, then turn back from them and see what they return."

She She (the queen) said (to her officials after receiving the letter), "0 chieftains, there has been delivered to me an esteemed letter.

It is from Sulaiman and it is (in the following words:) With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.