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come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news.

23. "I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne.

24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allh, and Shaitn (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allh's) Way, so they have no guidance,"

25. Al-L (this word has two interpretations) (A) [As Shaitn (Satan) has barred them from Allh's Way] so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allh, or (B) So that they may worship (prostrate before) Allh, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabar, Vol. 19, Page 149]

26. Allh, L ilha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

27. [Sulaimn (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.

28. "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return."

29. She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,

30. "Verily! It is from Sulaimn (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful;

31. "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allh with full submission)' "

32. She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."

33. They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."

34. She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honourable amongst its people low. And thus they do.

35. "But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return."

36. So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimn (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

37. [Then Sulaimn (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased."

38. He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"

39. An Ifrt (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."

40. One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" then when [Sulaimn (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful."

41. He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."

42. So when she came, it was said (to her): "Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were the very same." And [Sulaimn (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allh (in Islm as Muslims before her)."

43. And that which she used to worship besides Allh has prevented her (from Islm), for she was of a disbelieving people.

44. It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs, Sulaimn (Solomon) said: "Verily, it is Sarh [(a glass surface
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