He inspected the birds and said: “Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he among the absentees?
I will certainly punish him severely, or I will kill him, unless he brings me a clear warrant” (for his absence).
But the hoopoe did not take long in coming. He said: “I have just learned things that are unknown to you, and I come to you from Sheba with accurate information.
I found there a woman ruling over them; and she has been given of all good things, and hers is a magnificent throne.
I found her and her people prostrating themselves to the sun instead of God; and Satan has made their deeds seem goodly to them, thus turning them away from the path (of God), so that they cannot find the right way.
That they should not prostrate themselves in worship of God who brings forth all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. God, other than whom there is no deity, the Lord of the (truly) magnificent Throne.”
Said (Solomon): “We shall see whether you have told the truth or you are a liar. Go with this my letter and deliver it to them; and then draw back from them, and see what answer they return.” (The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 20-28)
As the missing hoopoe arrives, it knows that it could be in dire trouble unless he had a clear justification for its absence. Therefore, it begins by preparing the audience for something very serious indeed, telling the king that he gathered information that had not yet been known to him. Needless to say, any king will attentively listen when any of his subjects tells him that he had something serious to tell him.
Now that it got the king attentive, it proceeds to give the details of the news he brought from Sheba that was in Yemen. He mentions first that “I found there a woman ruling over them,” and he further adds, “she has been given of all good things,” which tells that her kingdom was affluent, powerful and with adequate civilized qualities. Furthermore the queen’s “is a magnificent throne.” (Verse 23) She sits on a magnificent couch that indicates the presence of skilful workers. The hoopoe adds that he found both the queen and her people “prostrating themselves to the sun instead of God.” (Verse 24) He explains that those people have erred because Satan has deceived them and made their deeds seem fair to them. Thus they are bereft of guidance, and as such they do not worship God Almighty “who brings forth all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth.” (Verse 25) “What is hidden” refers to everything that is concealed, including the rain from the sky and the plants of the earth. It also includes the secrets of the heavens and the earth. He also “knows what you conceal and what you reveal.” (Verse 25) This mirrors what is hidden in the heavens and earth as it refers to what is hidden within one’s own soul.
Until this point the hoopoe remains in the position of someone who has broken the rules and he still awaits the king’s judgment. Hence, it concludes the news it brought with a reference to God Almighty, the Lord of all, and the Lord of the magnificent throne, to which no throne of a human king or queen can be compared: “God, other than whom there is no deity, the Lord of the (truly) magnificent Throne.” (Verse 26) This reference is meant as a reminder to the king so as to moderate his attitude as he remembers God’s great power. It is a subtle appeal for compassion.
What we see here is a remarkable, intelligent hoopoe who has faith. He presents his report of what he saw very skillfully, aware of its position, and relying on subtlety of expression. It understands that the woman is a queen and the people around her are her subjects, and it is fully aware that they prostrate themselves before the sun, instead of God. It also knows that such worship should be offered only to God who is the Lord of the entire universe. This is not how hoopoes look at matters and understand them. Such understanding by a hoopoe is miraculous indeed.
Solomon does not judge the matter hastily. He is not too thrilled with the news brought by the hoopoe. He wants to make sure before taking any action. This is the appropriate course to follow by a fair prophet and wise king: “Said (Solomon): We shall see whether you have told the truth or you are a liar. Go with this my letter and deliver it to them; and then draw back from them, and see what answer they return.” (Verses 27-28)
At this point the contents of the letter are not revealed. They are left until it is delivered when the interest is at its highest.
The curtains are drawn here. When they are lifted again, we are in the presence of the queen of Sheba, after the letter has been delivered to her. She is in consultation with her advisers on a very serious matter: “(The queen of Sheba) said: Know, my nobles, that a worthy letter has been delivered to me. It is from Solomon, and it reads, ‘In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Beneficent: Do not exalt yourselves against me, but come to me in submission (to God).’” (Verses 29-31)
As she tells them of the letter we gather that most probably she did not know how the letter was delivered and by whom. She uses the passive voice in her report of its delivery. Had she known that it was a hoopoe that delivered it, as some commentaries on the Qur’an suggest, she would have reported this as a remarkable and extraordinary event. Nevertheless, she describes the letter as “worthy”, either because of its shape, appearance, the seal it bears or because of its contents which she reports to her advisers: “It is from Solomon, and it reads, ‘In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Beneficent: Do not exalt yourselves against me, but come to me in submission (to God)’.” (Verses 30-31) She did not worship God, but the whole region knew about Solomon and his status. Besides, the language of the letter was clear, decisive and to the point. We will look at the outcome of the queen’s consultation with her counselors next week, God willing.