Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 27:27–35
The Ants (Al-Naml)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(27) Solomon said, ‘We shall soon see whether you have spoken the truth, or whether you are a liar. (28) Go with this letter of mine and lay it before them, then withdraw from them and see how they respond.’ (29) The Queen of Sheba said, ‘O Counsellors, an honourable letter has been delivered to me. (30) It is from Solomon. It reads, “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, (31) do not exalt yourselves above me, but come to me in all submission.” (32) Now advise me in this, Counsellors. I never decide any affair till I have conferred with you.’ (33) They said, ‘We are strong and our prowess in battle is great, but the decision is in your hands, so consider what you will command.’ (34) She said, ‘Surely, when mighty kings invade a country, they despoil it and humiliate its noblest inhabitants—these men will do the same— (35) but I shall send them a present and see with what reply my envoys will return.’
Commentary
(a) The Queen of Sheba viewed the matter quite realistically. She realised that if she resisted the might of Solomon, there was a strong possibility of her being defeated and then her nation would be treated as every vanquished nation is treated by a victorious nation. On the contrary, she thought, she would be saved if she surrendered. However, the queen pursued the course of sending gifts to him by way of initial feelers, so that she might know whether Soloman desired wealth, or if not, whether he had any other demands based on some other principle.