(It says): "Do not act towards me with defiance, but come to me in submission."

(After reading the letter) the Queen said: "Nobles, let me have your counsel in this matter for I make no firm decision without you."

They said: "We are strong and are given to vehement fighting. But the decision is yours. Therefore, consider what you would like to command."

The Queen said: "When the kings enter a country they cause corruption in it and abase those of its people who are held in honour. This is what they are wont to do.

I will send them a gift and then see with what answer my envoys return."

Now, when (the envoy of the Queen) came to Solomon, he said: "Do you want to aid me with wealth? Whatever Allah has granted me is much more than what He has given you. (Keep for yourselves) your gift in which you are exulting.

Envoy, go back to those who sent you and we shall certainly come upon them with hosts whom they will be unable to resist. We shall drive them out from there, and they will suffer humiliation and disgrace."

Solomon said: "My nobles, which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"

A stalwart of the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your council. Surely I have the power to do so and I am trustworthy."

And he who had some knowledge of the Book said: "I will bring it before the twinkling of your eye." When Solomon saw the throne placed firmly beside him, he cried out: "This is by the grace of my Lord so that He may test me whether I give thanks for (His Bounty) or act with ingratitude. Whoever is grateful is so to his own good; and whoever is ungrateful, let him know that my Lord is Immensely Resourceful, Most Bountiful."

Solomon said: " Set the throne before her casually, and let us see whether she gets to the Truth or is one of those who are not guided to what is right."

When the Queen arrived, she was asked: "Is your throne like this one?" She said: "It seems as if it is the same. We had already come to know this and we had submitted ourselves."

What prevented her (from accepting the True Faith) was her worshipping deities other than Allah, for she belonged to an unbelieving people.

She was told: "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a pool of water and she bared both her calves (to enter into it). Solomon said: "This is a slippery floor of crystal." Thereupon she cried out: "My Lord, I have been inflicting much wrong on myself. Now I submit myself with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of the whole Universe."

And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the Message): "Serve Allah," but all of a sudden they became split into two quarrelling factions.

Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?"

They said: "We augur ill of you and those who are with you." Salih replied: "Your augury is with Allah. The truth is that you are a people who are being tried."

Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right.

They said: "Swear to one another in the name of Allah that we shall make a sudden night swoop on Salih and his family and will then tell their heirs that we did not witness the destruction of his family. We are indeed truthful."

Thus they planned and We too planned, the while they did not know.

So see what was the outcome of the plan they made: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them.

Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know.

And We delivered those who believed and were wont to avoid disobeying (Allah).

We also sent Lot, and recall when he told his people: "Do you commit shameless acts with your eyes open?

Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance."

But this had only one answer from his people. They said: "Expel Lot's folk from your city. They pretend to be absolutely clean."

Eventually We saved (Lot) and his family, except his wife. We had decreed that she should be among those who would remain behind.

And We rained down upon them a rain. It was an evil rain for those who had already been warned.

Say, (O Muhammad): "All praise be to Allah, and peace be on those of His servants whom He has chosen." (Ask them): "Who is better: Allah or the false gods that they associate with Him as His partners?

Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you water from the sky and then We caused to grow therewith orchards full of beauty whose trees you could never grow. Is there any god associated with Allah (in these tasks)?" Nay, they are a people who are veering away from the Right Path.