I found a woman reigning over them, gifted with everything, and she hath a splendid throne; And I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of God; and Satan hath made their works fair seeming to them, so that he hath turned them from the Way: wherefore they are not guided, To the worship of God, who bringeth to light the secret things of heaven and earth, and knoweth what men conceal and what they manifest: God! there is no god but He! the lord of the glorious throne!" He said, "We shall see whether thou hast spoken truth, or whether thou art of them that lie. Go with this my letter and throw it down to them: then turn away from them and await their answer." She said, "O my nobles! an honourable letter hath been thrown down to me: It is from Solomon; and it is this: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful! Set not up yourselves against me, but come to me submitting (Muslims).' " She said, "O my nobles, advise me in mine affair: I decide it not without your concurrence."6 They said, "We are endued with strength and are endued with mighty valour.– But to command is thine: See therefore what thou wilt command us." She said, "Kings when they enter a city spoil it, and abase the mightiest of its people: and in like manner will these also do. But I will send to them with a gift, and await what my envoys bring back." And when the messenger came to Solomon, he said, "Aid ye me with riches? But what God hath given to me is better than what he hath given you: yet ye glory in your gifts: Return to them: for we will surely come to them with forces which they cannot withstand, and we will drive them from their land humbled and contemptible." Said he, "O nobles, which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me, submitting? (Muslims)." An Efreet7 of the Djinn said: "I will bring it thee ere thou risest from thy place: I have power for this and am trusty." And one who had the knowledge of Scripture said, "I will bring it to thee in the twinkling of an eye."8 And when he saw it set before him, he said, "This is of the favour of my Lord, to try me whether I will be thankful or unthankful. And he who is thankful is thankful to his own behoof; and as for him who is unthankful–truly my Lord is self-sufficient, bounteous!" Said he, "Make her throne so that she know it not: we shall see whether she hath or not guidance." And when she came he said, "Is thy throne like this?" She said, "As though it were the same." "And we," said he, "have had knowledge given us before her, and have been Muslims." But the gods she had worshipped instead of God had led her astray: for she was of a people who believe not. It was said to her,"Enter the Palace:" and when she saw it, she thought it a lake of water, and bared her legs. He said, "It is a palace paved with glass." She said, "O my Lord! I have sinned against my own soul, and I resign myself, with Solomon, to God the Lord of the Worlds."