Solomon one day noticed a Hoopee bird was missing. It was said that this bird's job was to look for water flying around vast lands when water was needed. Once found, the army would follow and be able to dig to find valuable water sources. Fun fact: Hoopee birds can detect the presence of subterranean water under the earth with exceptional precision by tapping its beak into the land from which it is able to detect deep water sources. When Solomon noticed he was not there disobeying his command, he threatened to discipline him, or at worst, kill him.

˹One day˺ he inspected the birds, and wondered, “Why is it that I cannot see the hoopoe? Or could he be absent?27:20

I will surely subject him to a severe punishment, or ˹even˺ slaughter him, unless he brings me a compelling excuse.”27:21

Shortly after, the Hoopee returned. He brought with him news from the Kingdom of Sheba, which was located in Yemen. He told them that he saw the Queen of Sheba (or Saba in Arabic which was the name of the kingdom - her name was Bilquis). She had all the conveniences of this world that a powerful ruler could need. She had a tremendous thone; adorned with gold and different kinds of jewels and pearls. The historians said, "This throne was in a great, strong palace which was high and firmly constructed. In it there were three hundred and sixty windows on the east side, and a similar number on the west, and it was constructed in such a way that each day when the sun rose it would shine through one window, and when it set it would shine through the opposite window- and the people of Sheeba used to prostrate to the sun morning and evening.

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.27:22

Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them, who has been given everything ˹she needs˺, and who has a magnificent throne.27:23

The Hoopee explained that, although Allah had granted these people such bounty and blessings, they were not grateful to Him, nor did they worship their Lord. Instead, they had been misguided by Satan and worshipped one of Allah's creations - the sun. But it is Allah who possesses the mighty throne, the only One Worthy of Worship.

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—27:24

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.27:25

˹He is˺ Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”27:26

After hearing this, Solomon wrote a letter to Bilquis, inviting her to the way of Truth, to worship Allah alone. He gave the letter to the hoopoe to deliver. It was said that he carried it on his wings, as is the way with birds, or that he carried it in his beak. He went to their land and found the palace of Bilqis, then he went to her private chambers and threw the letter through a small window, then he stepped to one side out of good manners. Bilqis was amazed and confused when she saw that, then she went and picked up the letter, opened its seal and read it.

Solomon said, “We will see whether you are telling the truth or lying.27:27

Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then stand aside and see how they will respond.”27:28

The Queen ˹later˺ announced, “O chiefs! Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me.27:29

It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.27:30

Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me, fully submitting ˹to Allah˺.’”27:31

When Bilquis read this, she began to seek advice from her ministers. They reminded her of their great numbers, preparedness and strength, then they referred the matter to her and emphasised their power and strength if she decided to fight against him. But they left it up to her to decide how to proceed.

Understanding that war would not be a good option, she decided to respond by sending a gift to try and become allies instead. She said: I will send him a gift befitting for one of his status, and will wait and see what his response will be. Perhaps he will accept that and leave us alone, or he will impose a tax which we can pay him every year, so that he will not fight us and wage war against us.

She said, “O chiefs! Advise me in this matter of mine, for I would never make any decision without you.”27:32

They responded, “We are a people of strength and great ˹military˺ might, but the decision is yours, so decide what you will command.”27:33

She reasoned, “Indeed, when kings invade a land, they ruin it and debase its nobles. They really do so!27:34

But I will certainly send him a gift, and see what ˹response˺ my envoys will return with.” 27:35

However, Solomon was a Prophet. His purpose was not to make allies, or gain wealth. It was to spread the truth and expel mistruths. If Bilquis was to accept the truth, all her kingdom would benefit.

It is said she sent him a huge gift of gold, jewels, pearls and other things. It is apparent that Solomon did not even look at what they brought at all and did not pay any attention to it, but he turned away and rebuked them.

When the chief-envoy came to him, Solomon said, “Do you offer me wealth? What Allah has granted me is far greater than what He has granted you. No! It is you who rejoice in ˹receiving˺ gifts.27:36

Go back to them, for we will certainly mobilize against them forces which they can never resist, and we will drive them out from there in disgrace, fully humbled.” 27:37