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

But he [i.e., the hoopoe] stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.

Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.

I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,

[And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare –

Allah – there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."

[Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars.

Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return."

She said, "O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter.

Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it is [i.e., reads]: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,