The Hoopoe is mentioned in the Quran in these verses:

[27:20] He inspected the birds, and noted: “Why do I not see the hoopoe? Why is he missing?

[27:21] “I will punish him severely or sacrifice him, unless he gives me a good excuse.”

[27:22] He did not wait for long. (The hoopoe) said, “I have news that you do not have. I brought to you from Sheba, some important information.

[27:23] “I found a woman ruling them, who is blessed with everything, and possesses a tremendous palace.

[27:24] “I found her and her people prostrating before the sun, instead of God. The devil has adorned their works in their eyes, and has repulsed them from the path; consequently, they are not guided.”

[27:25] They should have been prostrating before God, the One who manifests all the mysteries in the heavens and the earth, and the One who knows everything you conceal and everything you declare.

[27:26] God: there is no other god beside Him; the Lord with the great dominion.

[27:27] (Solomon) said, “We will see if you told the truth, or if you are a liar.

[27:28] “Take this letter from me, give it to them, then watch for their response.”

[27:36] When the hoopoe returned to Solomon (he told him the news), and he responded (to Sheba’s people): “Are you giving me money? What God has given me is far better than what He has given you. You are the ones to rejoice in such gifts.”

[27:37] (To the hoopoe, he said,) “Go back to them (and let them know that) we will come to them with forces they cannot imagine. We will evict them, humiliated and debased.”

To learn more, read the Quran in English.

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