He then explained this report, saying: “Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them.” That is, she ruled the tribe of Sheba. “She has been given everything”—that is, everything customarily granted to monarchs, including wealth, weapons, soldiers, fortresses, citadels, and the like. “And she has a mighty throne.” That is, the royal seat upon which she sat was an immense throne. The grandeur of thrones indicates the greatness of a kingdom, the strength of its authority, and the abundance of its counselors.

“I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah.” That is, they were polytheists who worshipped the sun. “Satan has made their deeds seem fair to them,” so they regarded their way as the truth. “Thus they are not guided,” because there is no hope of guiding someone who believes his own way to be true until his belief changes.

He then said: “Why do they not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth?” That is, He knows every concealed and hidden thing throughout the heavens and every region of the earth, including tiny creatures, seeds of plants, and the secrets within breasts. He brings forth what is hidden within the earth and sky by sending down rain and causing plants to grow. He will also bring forth what lies hidden in the earth when the Trumpet is blown and the dead are brought out of the earth, so that He may recompense them for their deeds. “And He knows what you conceal and what you reveal.”

“Allah—there is no deity except Him.” That is, worship, repentance, humility, and love are due to Him alone, for He alone is rightfully worshipped by virtue of His perfect attributes and the blessings that necessitate this. “Lord of the Mighty Throne,” which is the roof of creation and encompasses the earth and the heavens. This King, mighty in authority and exalted in rank, is the One before whom all must humble and submit themselves, prostrate, and bow. The hoopoe was thus spared when he delivered this momentous report, while Solomon marveled that it had remained unknown to him.

Demonstrating his perfect intelligence and composure, Solomon said: “We shall see whether you have spoken the truth or are one of the liars. Go with this letter of mine”—whose text will follow—“and deliver it to them. Then withdraw from them,” meaning, move back without going far, “and observe what response they return”—what answer they give you and what they say to one another about it.

The hoopoe went and delivered the letter to her. She then said to her people: “Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me”—that is, a letter of great distinction from one of the greatest kings on earth.

She then explained its contents, saying: “Indeed, it is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Do not exalt yourselves above me, but come to me in submission.’” That is: Do not place yourselves above me; rather, submit to my authority, comply with my commands, and come to me as Muslims.

Despite its extreme brevity, the letter was perfectly clear. It forbade them to exalt themselves over Solomon or remain in their present condition; it required them to comply with his command, submit to his authority, and come to him; and it invited them to Islam. It also shows that it is recommended to begin letters with the complete formula, “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” and to place the sender’s name first in the letter’s heading. As a mark of her prudence and intelligence, she assembled the senior statesmen and leading men of her kingdom and said: “O chiefs, advise me concerning this matter.”

That is: Tell me how we should answer him. Should we submit to his authority and comply with him, or what should we do? “I never decide a matter unless you are present with me.” That is, I would never decide a matter independently, without your opinion and counsel.

“They said, ‘We possess great strength and formidable military might.’” That is, if you reject his demand and refuse to submit to his authority, we are strong enough to fight. They therefore seemed inclined toward a course that, had it been carried out, would have brought about their destruction. Yet they did not settle upon it, but said: “The decision is yours.” In other words, the sound judgment is whatever you deem best, for they knew her intelligence, prudence, and sincere concern for them. “So consider”—with careful thought and deliberation—“what you will command.”

Dissuading them from their view and explaining the disastrous consequences of war, she said: “Indeed, whenever kings enter a town, they ruin it” by killing its people, taking them captive, plundering their wealth, and demolishing their homes, “and they reduce its noblest people to the lowest state.” That is, they reduce its leaders, lords, and eminent people to the most abject condition. Thus, this was not a sound course. Moreover, she would not submit to Solomon before putting him to the test and sending someone to investigate and carefully assess his circumstances. They would then proceed with full knowledge of their situation.

She therefore said: “I am sending them a gift, and I shall see with what response the envoys return” from him: whether he would remain firm in his position and demand, or whether the gift would entice him and alter his view, and what his circumstances and armies were like. She thus sent him a gift with envoys drawn from the wise and judicious men of her people. ⦗605⦘