The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Moses or God. Literally ‘in this 
fire’ (fi al-nari). Zamakhshari interprets fi as ‘near’,
while Qatada and Zajjaj understand nar ‘
fire’ to mean nur ‘light’ (Razi).
b
The angels.
c
Cf. 
28: 15. This is an allusion to a man Moses killed in Egypt.

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the nine signs that you will show Pharaoh and his people; they have
really gone too far.’
13But when Our enlightening signs came to them, they said, ‘This
is clearly [just] sorcery!’
14They denied them, in their wickedness
and their pride, even though their souls acknowledged them as true.
See how those who spread corruption met their end!
15We gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and they both said,
‘Praise be to God, who has favoured us over many of His believing
servants.’
16Solomon succeeded David. He said, ‘People, we have
been taught the speech of birds, and we have been given a share of
everything: this is a clearly a great favour.’
17Solomon’s hosts of jinn,
men, and birds were marshalled in ordered ranks before him, 
18and
when they came to the Valley of the Ants, one ant said, ‘Ants! Go
into your homes, in case Solomon and his hosts unwittingly crush
you.’
19Solomon smiled broadly at her words and said, ‘Lord, inspire
me to be thankful for the blessings You have granted me and my
parents, and to do good deeds that please You; admit me by Your
grace into the ranks of Your righteous servants.’
20Solomon inspected the birds and said, ‘Why do I not see the
hoopoe? Is he absent? 
21I will punish him severely, or kill him, unless
he brings me a convincing excuse for his absence.’
22But the hoopoe
did not stay away long: he came and said, ‘I have learned something
you did not know: I come to you from Sheba with 
firm news. 23I
found a woman ruling over the people, who has been given a share of
everything –
– she has a magni
ficent throne–– 24[but] I found that she
and her people worshipped the sun instead of God. Satan has made
their deeds seem alluring to them, and diverted them from the right
path: they cannot 
find the right path. 25Should they not worship
God, who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth and
knows both what you people conceal and what you declare? 
26He is
God, there is no god but Him, the Lord of the mighty throne.’
27Solomon said, ‘We shall see whether you are telling the truth or
lying. 
28Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then with-
draw and see what answer they send back.’
29The Queen of Sheba said, ‘Counsellors, a gracious letter has
been delivered to me. 
30It is from Solomon, and it says, “In the name
of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, 
31do not put your-
selves above me, and come to me in submission to God.”’
32She
said, ‘Counsellors, give me your counsel in the matter I now face: I
The Qur
an
27: 13
240

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only ever decide on matters in your presence.’
33They replied, ‘We
possess great force and power in war, but you are in command, so
consider what orders to give us.’
34She said, ‘Whenever kings go into
a city, they ruin it and humiliate its leaders –
– that is what they do –
–
35but I am going to send them a gift, then see what answer my envoys
bring back.’
36When her envoy came to Solomon, Solomon said, ‘What! Are
you o
ffering me wealth? What God has given me is better than what
He has given you, though you rejoice in this gift of yours. 
37Go back
to your people: we shall certainly come upon them with irresistible
forces, and drive them, disgraced and humbled, from their land.’
38Then he said, ‘Counsellors, which of you can bring me her throne
before they come to me in submission?’
39A powerful and crafty jinn
replied, ‘I will bring it to you before you can even rise from your
place. I am strong and trustworthy enough,’
40but one of them who
had some knowledge of the Scripture said, ‘I will bring it to you in
the twinkling of an eye.’
When Solomon saw it set before him, he said, ‘This is a favour
from my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or not: if anyone is
grateful, it is for his own good, if anyone is ungrateful, then my Lord
is self-su
fficient and most generous.’ 41Then he said, ‘Disguise her
throne, and we shall see whether or not she recognizes it.’
42When
she arrived, she was asked, ‘Is this your throne?’ She replied, ‘It
looks like it.’ [Solomon said], ‘We were given knowledge before her,
and we devoted ourselves to God; 
43she was prevented by what she
worshipped instead of God, for she came from a disbelieving
people.’
44Then it was said to her, ‘Enter the hall,’ but when she saw
it, she thought it was a deep pool of water, and bared her legs.
Solomon explained, ‘It is just a hall paved with glass,’ and she said,
‘My Lord, I have wronged myself: I devote myself, with Solomon, to
God, the Lord of the Worlds.’
45To the people of Thamud We sent their brother, Salih, saying,
‘Worship God alone,’ but they split into two rival factions. 
46Salih
said, ‘My people, why do you rush to bring [forward] what is bad
rather than good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, so that
you may be given mercy?’
47They said, ‘We see you and your fol-
lowers as an evil omen.’ He replied, ‘God will decide on any omen
you may see: you people are being put to the test.’
48There were nine
men in the city who spread corruption in the land without making