He is God, there is no god but Him, the Lord of the mighty throne.’
Translation 1260
Solomon said, ‘We shall see whether you are telling the truth or lying
Translation 1260
Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then withdraw and see what answer they send back.’
Translation 1260
The Queen of Sheba said, ‘Counsellors, a gracious letter has been delivered to me
Translation 1260
It is from Solomon, and it says, “In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
Translation 1260
do not put yourselves above me, and come to me in submission to God.”’
Translation 1260
She said, ‘Counsellors, give me your counsel in the matter I now face: I only ever decide on matters in your presence.’
Translation 1260
They replied, ‘We possess great force and power in war, but you are in command, so consider what orders to give us.’
Translation 1260
She said, ‘Whenever kings go into a city, they ruin it and humiliate its leaders- that is what they do
Translation 1260
but I am going to send them a gift, then see what answer my envoys bring back.’
Translation 1260
When her envoy came to Solomon, Solomon said, ‘What! Are you offering me wealth? What God has given me is better than what He has given you, though you rejoice in this gift of yours
Translation 1260
Go back to your people: we shall certainly come upon them with irresistible forces, and drive them, disgraced and humbled, from their land.’
Translation 1260
Then he said, ‘Counsellors, which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?’
Translation 1260
A powerful and crafty jinn replied, ‘I will bring it to you before you can even rise from your place. I am strong and trustworthy enough,’
Translation 1260
but one of them who had some knowledge of the Scripture said, ‘I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye.’ When Solomon saw it set before him, he said, ‘This is a favour from my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or not: if anyone is grateful, it is for his own good, if anyone is ungrateful, then my Lord is self-sufficient and most generous.’
Translation 1260
Then he said, ‘Disguise her throne, and we shall see whether or not she recognizes it.’
Translation 1260
When she arrived, she was asked, ‘Is this your throne?’ She replied, ‘It looks like it.’ [Solomon said], ‘We were given knowledge before her, and we devoted ourselves to God
Translation 1260
she was prevented by what she worshipped instead of God, for she came from a disbelieving people.’
Translation 1260
Then it was said to her, ‘Enter the hall,’ but when she saw it, she thought it was a deep pool of water, and bared her legs. Solomon explained, ‘It is just a hall paved with glass,’ and she said, ‘My Lord, I have wronged myself: I devote myself, with Solomon, to God, the Lord of the Worlds.’
Translation 1260
To the people of Thamud We sent their brother, Salih, saying, ‘Worship God alone,’ but they split into two rival factions
Translation 1260
Salih said, ‘My people, why do you rush to bring [forward] what is bad rather than good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, so that you may be given mercy?’
Translation 1260
They said, ‘We see you and your fol-lowers as an evil omen.’ He replied, ‘God will decide on any omen you may see: you people are being put to the test.’
Translation 1260
There were nine men in the city who spread corruption in the land without making amends
Translation 1260
They said, ‘Swear by God: we shall attack this man and his household in the night, then say to his next of kin, “We did not witness the destruction of his household. We are telling the truth.”’
Translation 1260
So they devised their evil plan, but We too made a plan of which they were unaware
Translation 1260