Surah Al-Fil is one of the great surahs with great virtue. In the year of the elephant, Abraha al-Ashram, the king of Abyssinia, set out with a large army of soldiers, including a huge elephant, with the aim of destroying the Kaaba. Abraha’s goal was to force the Quraysh to worship his god “al-Lat” and prevent people from making pilgrimage to the Kaaba.
When Abraha’s army reached Mecca, they stopped at the valley of Mina and began to demolish the Kaaba. But before they could complete its demolition, God sent a flock of birds called Ababil, throwing stones of clay at them.
The stones were very harsh, and they made the people of the elephant like eaten straw. Thus, Abraha’s army was defeated, and the Sacred House of God was saved from destruction. In this article, we will explore the interpretation of this great surah and explain its landmarks and virtues.
History of the revelation of Surah Al-Fil
Surah Al-Fil is the 105th surah in the Quran, and it is considered to be Meccan, meaning that it was revealed in Mecca before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Medina.
Date of the revelation of Surah Al-Fil
The date of the revelation of Surah Al-Fil dates back to the year the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born, which is the year known as the “Year of the Elephant”, which corresponds to approximately 570 AD. The Prophetic hadiths narrate that the events mentioned in Surah Al-Fil took place a few months before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Causes of the revelation of Surah Al-Fil
Surah Al-Fil narrates the story of a historical event that took place at that time, and it talks about the people of Abu Lahab who wanted to attack the Kaaba with an army of elephants. According to the traditions that tell the Prophetic biography, the people of Abu Lahab wanted to destroy the Kaaba and prevent the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from spreading his Islamic message.
At that time, according to the narrations, one of the leaders of the Quraysh wanted to deter the elephants from attacking Mecca, so he ordered them to be occupied by attacking Najd, but the elephants headed towards Mecca and besieged it.
In the meantime, God sent a small bird called “Ababil” that threw them with stones the size of black grains, which hit them and escaped from their hands, and became like a burnt shell. These events are considered to be the reasons that led God to reveal Surah Al-Fil.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Kawthar
Virtues and importance of Surah Al-Fil
Surah Al-Fil has great virtues and importance in Islam. Here are some of the virtues and importance associated with it:
1- Reminder of God’s greatness
Surah Al-Fil reminds us of God’s greatness and power to protect His holy house and fulfill His will. It teaches us that God is the guardian of His sanctities, and that He will never let the enemies of religion tamper with them until the Day of Judgment.
2- Confirmation of victory
Surah Al-Fil confirms that God grants victory to His servants and protects them from all harm. It narrates the story that took place before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and shows how God sent an army of birds to defeat the elephants and save Mecca from the invaders.
3- Enhancing trust and reliance
Surah Al-Fil enhances trust in God and encourages us to put our trust in Him. It teaches us that God is able to protect and support believers in all circumstances, and that He is sufficient for them alone to overcome difficulties.
4- Good tidings of victory and optimism
Surah Al-Fil carries a message of optimism and good tidings of victory for believers. It teaches us that God will achieve victory for His religion and His Messenger, and that difficult circumstances and aggression will not be an obstacle to the will of God.
5- Achieving unity
Surah Al-Fil enhances the value of unity and cohesion among Muslims. It reminds us that God protects His holy house and preserves Muslims, and therefore we must unite and work together to defend our religion and sanctities.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Falaq
Tafsir of Surah Al-Fil
Surah Al-Fil is a Meccan surah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after Surah Al-Kawthar. It consists of 5 verses, and is the shortest surah in the Qur’an. The surah tells the story of the people of the elephant, who were an army from Abyssinia led by Abraha al-Ashram, who wanted to destroy the Kaaba.
God sent them a flock of birds called Ababil, which threw them with stones of baked clay, making them like eaten straw, which withered and their parts scattered. This surah contains many lessons and parables, including:
- The greatness of God’s power, which is invincible.
- The weakness of the oppressor, no matter how powerful he is.
- The confirmation of the sanctity of the Holy House of God, and God’s protection of it.
- The consolidation of the Prophet Muhammad by what he hears from stories about those who came before the polytheists.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡفِيلِ (1) أَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡ كَيۡدَهُمۡ فِي تَضۡلِيلٖ (2) وَأَرۡسَلَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ طَيۡرًا أَبَابِيلَ (3) تَرۡمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٖ مِّن سِجِّيلٖ (4) فَجَعَلَهُمۡ كَعَصۡفٖ مَّأۡكُولِۭ (5)
Verse 1: أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَٰبِ الْفِيلِ
This verse addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and asks him if he has seen how God Almighty dealt with the people of the elephant.
Verse 2: أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ
The second verse answers the previous question, saying that God Almighty made their schemes futile. That is, God Almighty nullified the schemes of the people of the elephant, and rendered them incapable of achieving their goal.
Verse 3: وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
This verse speaks of the fact that God Almighty sent a flock of birds called Ababil on the people of the elephant. The birds Ababil are large birds, and their number is unknown.
Verse 4: تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ
This verse speaks of the fact that the birds Ababil were throwing the people of the elephant with stones of baked clay. Sjil is a type of hard stone.
Verse 5: فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَأْكُولٍ
This verse speaks of the fact that God Almighty made the people of the elephant like eaten straw. That is, God Almighty destroyed and annihilated them. It is said that the eaten straw is the leaves of wheat.
You can also see: Surah Al-Asr
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