٢١

I will surely subject him to a severe punishment, or ˹even˺ slaughter him, unless he brings me a compelling excuse.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٢
It was not long before the bird came and said, “I have found out something you do not know. I have just come to you from Sheba with sure news.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٣
Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them,1 who has been given everything ˹she needs˺, and who has a magnificent throne.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٤
I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. For Satan has made their deeds appealing to them—hindering them from the ˹Right˺ Way and leaving them unguided—

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٥
so they do not prostrate to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you ˹all˺ conceal and what you reveal.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٦
˹He is˺ Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٧
Solomon said, “We will see whether you are telling the truth or lying.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٨
Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then stand aside and see how they will respond.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٢٩
The Queen ˹later˺ announced, “O chiefs! Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٣٠
It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

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