[27:14]
And they denied them, though their souls
acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the
consequence for the wrong- doers!
[27:15]
And We verily gave
knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath
preferred us above many of His believing slaves!
[27:16]
And Solomon was David’s heir. And he said: O
mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of
birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident
favour.
[27:17]
And there were gathered together unto Solomon
his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in
battle order;
[27:18]
Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants,
an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies
crush you, unperceiving.
[27:19]
And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech,
and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast
favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee,
and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves.
[27:20]
And he sought among the birds and said: How is
it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent ?
[27:21]
I verily will punish him with hard punishment or
I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.
[27:22]
But he was not long in coming, and he said: I
have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from