Hoopoe

And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?

I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."¹

But he [i.e., the hoopoe] stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.

Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.

I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allāh, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,

[And] so they do not prostrate to Allāh, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare -

Allāh - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."

Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return."