Upon reading the letter from Sulaiman NabiAS, the queen was confused. She called her chiefs to take their counsel. A few vain chiefs suggested fighting against Sulaiman Nabi AS whilst the others left it to her to decide. Allah Ta´ala narrates this incident in al Qur’an:
(The queen) said: “Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me – a letter worthy of respect. It is from Sulaiman, and is (as follows): ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: “‘Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'” She said: “Ye chiefs! Advise me in (this) my affair, no affair have I decided except in your presence. They said: “We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command.” (27:29-33)
The queen did not want to embroil her kingdom in war because it would cause destruction. She thought of a plan which consisted of sending precious gifts to Sulaiman NabiAS. However, wealth was not what Sulaiman NabiAS sought, Allah Ta´ala had given him more wealth than anyone could ever conceive. Subsequently, he declined the gifts and said to the messenger:
“Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift! Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed).” (27:36-37)
When the queen received this reply she understood that there was no other option but to surrender and thus decided to come to Sulaiman NabiAS in submission. When Sulaiman NabiAS came to know of the queen’s decision, he asked his subjects to bring him the throne of the queen before she reached him. One of the Jinn replied that he would bring it to him in the blink of an eye.
He said (to his own men): “Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?” Said an ‘Ifrit, of the Jinns: “I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted.” Said one who had knowledge of the Book: “I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!” Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour!” (27:38 -40)
Sulaiman NabiAS instructed the Jinn to transform the throne completely so that the queen would not recognise it. He wanted to test whether she was amongst those who had attained guidance towards the truth. When the queen arrived at the court of Sulaiman NabiAS, she was asked to identify her throne. She recognized the throne and said:
“It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah as muslemeen.” (27:42)
Sulaiman NabiAS stopped the queen from worshiping others besides Allah Ta’ala.
The queen was taken to a lofty palace. Its floor was made of polished glass that appeared to the eyes like a pool of water. The queen raised her attire as she stepped upon it, after which she realized that it was not water but glass. She felt penitent and accepted the religion of Allah.
It is said that the name of the queen was Bilquis and Sulaiman NabiAS married her when she devotedly embraced Islam.
