[Naml 27:14] And they denied them - whereas in their hearts they were certain of them - due to injustice and pride; therefore see what sort of fate befell the mischievous!

Section 2

[Naml 27:15] And We indeed bestowed great knowledge to Dawud and Sulaiman; and they both said, �All praise is to Allah, Who bestowed us superiority over many of His believing bondmen.�

[Naml 27:16] And Sulaiman became Dawud�s heir; and he said, �O people, we have indeed been taught the language of birds, and have been given from all things; this surely is a manifest favour.�

[Naml 27:17] And assembled together for Sulaiman were his armies of jinns and men, and of birds � so they had to be restricted.

[Naml 27:18] Until when they came to the valley of the ants, a she ant exclaimed, �O ants, enter your houses � may not Sulaiman and his armies crush you, unknowingly.�

[Naml 27:19] He therefore smiled beamingly at her speech*, and submitted, �My Lord, bestow me guidance so that I thank you for the favour which You bestowed upon me and my parents, and so that I may perform the good deeds which please You, and by Your mercy include me among Your bondmen who are worthy of Your proximity.� (Prophet Sulaiman heard the voice of the she ant from far away.)

[Naml 27:20] And he surveyed the birds � he therefore said, �What is to me that I do not see the Hudhud (hoopoe), or is he really absent?�

[Naml 27:21] �I will indeed punish him severely or slay him, or he must bring to me some clear evidence.�

[Naml 27:22] So Hudhud did not stay absent for long, and presenting himself submitted, �I have witnessed a matter that your majesty has not seen, and I have brought definite information to you from the city of Saba.�