Quran — Page 379

“Behold, I found there a woman ruling over them; and she has been given [abundance] of all [good] things, and hers is a mighty throne,

And I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of God; and Satan has made these doings of theirs seem goodly to them, and [thus] has barred them from the path [of God], so that they cannot find the right way:

[for they have come to believe] that they ought not to adore God [although it is He] who brings forth all that is hidden in the heavens and on earth, and knows all that you would conceal as well as all that you bring into the open:

God, save whom there is no deity - the Sustainer, in awesome almightiness enthroned!”

Said [Solomon]: “We shall see whether thou hast told the truth or art one of the liars!

Go with this my letter and convey it to them; and thereafter withdraw from them and see what [answer] they return.”

[When the Queen had read Solomon’s letter,] she said: “O you nobles! A truly distinguished letter has been conveyed unto me.

Behold, it is from Solomon, and it says, ‘In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace:

[God says:] Exalt not yourselves against Me, but come unto Me in willing surrender!’”

She added: “O you nobles! Give me your opinion on the problem with which I am now faced; I would never make a [weighty] decision unless you are present with me.”

They answered: “We are endowed with power and with mighty prowess in war - but the command is thine; consider, then, what thou wouldst command.”

Said she: “Verily, whenever kings enter a country they corrupt it, and turn the noblest of its people into the most abject. And this is the way they [always] behave?

Hence, behold, I am going to send a gift to those [people], and await whatever [answer] the envoys bring back.”