In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

1. Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the Owners of the Elephant? (The elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abrahah Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Kabah at Makkah).     
2. Did He not make their plot go astray?     
3. And sent against them birds, in flocks,     
4. Striking them with stones of Sijjeel.     
5. And made them like an empty field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle) 

- The Holy Quran,  Chapter 105, Surathul Feel (Chapter of Elephant)

In Yemen, there once lived a king named Abrahah under the Nejjashi (Negus) empire of Abyssinia. Abrahah wanted to please Negus and so for that he built a huge place of worship for the Christians. He wanted the attention of the crowd going to Mecca for Hajj and had plans to attract them to this new place of worship. 

It seems an Arab, who did not like this plan, entered into this new place of Christian worship and defecated everywhere spoiling the whole place. This incident made Abrahah furious and pledged to destroy the Ka’bah of Quraysh. He lined up a big army and headed to Mecca fully loaded. The army had to engage with many Arab tribes on its way and was successful in all. His army was special. It included one or more elephants.

When Abrahah reached the outskirts of Mecca, he informed Quraysh of his intentions. The only purpose of his army was to destroy Ka’bah and never wanted to engage in war with the Quraysh.

Quraysh, a tribe that always held close to its heart in sustaining Ka’bah, wanted to defend it; however they did not have the courage and strength to face an army as big as that of Abrahah. They never knew that art of facing an army of elephants and were helpless. They don’t want to see the sight of demolishing Ka’bah and left the area.

During that time, Abdul Muthalib, the grand father of Prophet Muhammed (s) was the leader of Quraysh and was responsible for taking care of Ka’bah. Abrahah, when he reached the outskirts of Mecca, he captured 200 camels of Abdul Muthalib. Abrahah called Abdul Muthalib for a meeting. Abrahah, while talking to Abdul Muthalib regarding his intentions, he asked Abdul Muthalib if he has anything to say.

Abdul Muthalib said, “Your men hold my camels in captive. Please release them”.

Abrahah was surprised and said, “Instead of being of concerned about the destruction of your religious monument that was built and respected by your ancestors, you are a useless who is just concerned about your camels. The impression that I had when I saw you is all gone!”

Abdul Muthalib retaliated, “I am the owner of the camels. That monument has an Owner. He will take care of it.”

Finally, the army with its elephant set forward for Ka’bah. However, the elephant does not move forward whenever it is directed to Ka’bah. It kneels down. The army tried its best to get the elephant moving. The elephant would move to any direction except towards the Ka’bah.

Allah sent a particular set of birds towards the army. The birds carried stones that were showered on to the army. Allah knocked out the army and saved His monument – the Ka’bah.

The story happened in the year 570 – 571 AD; the same year when Prophet Muhammad (s) was born. This is an incident that the Arabs including Quraysh always remembered. Many of them referred a year to the “year of the elephant” and it was followed until the tradition of using Hijrah calendar is established.

When Abrahah plotted against Allah, Allah had better plans. Abrahah wanted to destroy Ka’bah to make a new pilgrim destination, however Allah destroyed him. No plans can be implemented without the will of Allah.

The chapter of elephant in the Holy Quran, Surah Feel, revealed in Medina relates this story that saved the Ka’bah, Quraysh and the people of Mecca from the army of elephants. When this chapter was revealed, there were many Arabs who witnessed this incident still living in the area.

Let’s conclude the story by reflecting on the reply of Abdul Muthalib to Abrahah. We are responsible for what is in our control; Allah will take care of the rest. Allah promised to save Islam until the end of this world and it will be so! No matter whoever plots against it!

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