Al-Fil (الفيل)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ
Alam tara kaifa fa'ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel
ART THOU NOT aware of how thy Sustainer dealt with the Army of the Elephant?
أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ
Alam yaj'al kai dahum fee tad leel
Did He not utterly confound their artful planning?
وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
Wa arsala 'alaihim tairan abaabeel
Thus, He let loose upon them great swarms of flying creatures
تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ
Tar meehim bi hi jaaratim min sij jeel
which smote them with stone-hard blows of chastisement pre-ordained,
فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَأْكُولٍ
Faja 'alahum ka'asfim m'akool
and caused them to become like a field of grain that has been eaten down to stubble
Meaning
The Elephan
Ayas
5
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
105
Divine Protection Over Mecca: Surah Al-Fil recounts the historical event of the Army of the Elephant, where an army led by the Abyssinian king Abraha attempted to destroy the Ka’bah in Mecca using war elephants. The Surah highlights the miraculous intervention of Allah, who sent flocks of birds to destroy the army by pelt them with stones of clay.
Power of Allah’s Will: The Surah emphasizes that no matter how powerful or advanced the forces of tyranny and oppression may seem, they cannot overcome the will and power of Allah. Allah’s protection of His sacred places and the righteous is absolute.
Victory Through Divine Will: The message of the Surah is clear: Allah’s assistance can turn the tide in favor of the weak and oppressed, as His power is limitless. The Meccans, despite being outnumbered, were safeguarded by divine intervention.
Historical Reminder: The Surah commemorates a significant event in Islamic history, which occurred in the Year of the Elephant, the same year the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was born. It serves to remind Muslims of the miraculous nature of Allah’s protection.
Affirmation of Divine Power: The Surah reinforces the belief in Allah’s absolute power over all events and serves as a reminder of His protection over His Messenger and the sacred sanctuary of the Ka’bah.
Reassurance for Believers: It offers reassurance to Muslims that, like the Ka’bah, they too are under Allah’s protection when they trust in Him and follow His guidance, even when faced with overwhelming odds.
Reminder of Allah’s Protection: Reading this Surah reminds believers that no force on Earth can harm them without Allah’s will, and Allah’s protection is always with the righteous.
Strengthening Faith: It strengthens the faith of believers by showing that, despite the apparent power of enemies, victory lies with Allah alone.
Encouragement in Times of Struggle: The Surah inspires confidence during difficult times, showing that Allah can help believers overcome even the most insurmountable challenges.
On Allah’s Protection:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The one who protects Mecca is Allah.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights the divine protection over Mecca, a central theme in Surah Al-Fil, where Allah safeguarded the Ka’bah from destruction.
On Trusting in Allah’s Power:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “If you ask, ask of Allah; and if you seek help, seek help from Allah.” (Tirmidhi)
This teaching complements the message of Surah Al-Fil, where Allah, through His intervention, demonstrated that ultimate victory comes from Him alone.
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
