Surah Al Fil

Surah Al Fil

The Elephant

Surah Al Fil

The Elephant

Surah No. 105 in the Qur'an

Surah Al Fil

• Makki Surah

• 5 Ayats

• 23 words

• 96 letters (Huroof)

• The Incident (of the elephant) took place approximately 50 days before the birth of the Prophet (S)

The story in Surah Al Fil is about :

An Abyssinian king / Governor by the name of Abrahaa.

Ruler over the area of Yemen, and how he came to attack Makkah, and Allah swt Defeated his plan to destroy the Ka'ba.

Lets find out what happened....

Makkah

• Has always been a place where thousands of people visit to worship Allah SWT

• Not just today, but even back then, before Islam came to Makkah, the Mushrikeen (The idol worshippers) used to travel thousands of miles to visit the Ka'ba

Because of these visits from people all over Arabia...

• The city of Makkah became a very important place

• It gave a lot of importance to the people living in Makkah

• It gave a lot of importance to the Ka'ba, (masjid Al Haram)

• When people crowd in a place, the businesses thrive and become very successful.

Abraha became extremely jealous

why ?

Because everyone was going to Makkah.

He wanted everyone to visit his city.

So that his city would become well known and successful

So Abraha decided to have a huge cathedral built and named it :

Al Qullayss

Even after the cathedral was built....

• No one paid any attention to it. No one gave it any importance.

• The Arabs were very angry when they heard what Abraha had built it in competition with the house of Allah SWT.

A man from a tribe called Banu Kinaanah..

Travelled all the way to the cathedral. Entered it one night and defacated in it.

To show how they have no respect for what Abraha built.

Abraha heard the news and became extremely upset!

He made a promise that he would go and destroy the Ka'ba stone by stone.

He took an Army consisting of 12,000 people

and at least 9 - 12 Elephants, all the way to Makkah.

As they were marching towards Makkah...

• Abraha's Elephant (Mahmoud) stopped in a place called Mughammass, which was a place near Makkah.

• Mahmoud the Elephant just wouldnt go any further. If the people directed it to go back home, it would move but stopped again when they directed it towards Makkah.

Then Abraha decided to Camp there with his army

• He sent his people out to go and loot and rob the property of people who lived nearby

• Amongst the things they stole were the Camels of Abdul Mutalib

Who was Abdul Mutalib ?

The Prophet (S) Grandfather

They stole about 200 of Abdul Mutalibs camels

When Abdul Mutalib came to know the news about his camels. He decided to make a trip to see Abraha.

When Abraha saw Abdul Mutalib..

He was very impressed by his appearance.

Abdul Mutalib was a very tall and handsome man.

Abraha was is awe by the way Abdul Mutalib looked and decided to step down from his seat and sat on the ground after meeting him.

When Abdul Mutalib only wanted his camels.

Abraha was suprised!! he told the interpreter to tell Abdul Mutalib that he was very impressed when he saw him, as he thought that Abdul Mutalib was here to protect the Ka'ba. Abraha said " I am about to destroy your place of worship and you are here for your camels !! Is this the respect you have for your religion!! "?

Abdul Mutalib responded...

" I am responsible for my camels and the Lord, who's house it is, is responsible for His property, He will take care of His house "

Upon hearning that, Abraha returned Abdul Mutalibs camels.

As the army were camped outside Makkah....

Allah SWT sent the punishment

What was the punishment ?

Allah SWT sent A large flock of birds

Each carrying tiny rocks!!

As they flew over the army they dropped the rocks and killed the entire army!!

This was something amazing for the people of Makkah to witness.

There was no way they could have defended Makkah or protected the Ka'ba.

It was very clear to them that Allah swt protected the Ka'ba. And it was Allah SWT that protected them too!.

Allah Reminded them of the favours and blessings He had bestowed upon them

What is the lesson in this surah for us?

Allah SWT can defend His religion Himself, He doesn't need anyone to help protect His house, His books, His Messengers. And if we do anything for the religion, then we are only benefiting ourselves. If we dont do anything, then we are only depriving ourselves.

Also , anyone who goes against the truth will suffer.

What else can we learn from this surah?

The birds were so small on their own, Allah SWT sent them in flocks, when they were together, they made a huge difference!

Sometimes we think to ourselves, what can I do ? I'm only one person, what difference can one person make...but when we unite and work together, then we can accomplish much, much more. In Shaa Allah!!!

QUESTION TIME !!

Are you ready !!!......

Are you Steady........

GO!!!!

Multiple Choice

What does Al Fil mean

• The Dog

• The Zebra

• The Elephant

• The Giraffe

Multiple Choice

How many ayats are there in surah Al Fil ?

• 3

• 6

• 5

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the Abyssinian ruler ?

• Abracadabra

• Arabica

• Abrahaa

• Abrupt

Multiple Choice

What was Abrahas plan?

• To visit Makkah

• To become a muslim

• To destroy the Ka'ba

• To go on holiday

Multiple Choice

Why was Abrahaa jealous ?

• Because He wanted to own the Ka'ba

• Because a lot of people were visiting the Ka'ba

• Because he lost his money

Multiple Choice

What did Abrahaa build, in competition to the Ka'ba

• A mansion

• A Cathedral

• A Masjid

• A school

Multiple Choice

A man from the tribe of ....................defecated in Abraha's Cathedral

• Banu Hashim

• Banu Kinaanah

• Banu Akhdari

Multiple Choice

After Abrahaa heard the news of a man defacating in his Cathedral he decided........

• To throw a party

• To gather an army to destroy the Ka'baa

• To break down the Cathedral

Multiple Choice

Abrahaa had an army that had .............Men

• 10,000

• 12,000

• 5,000

Multiple Choice

Abrahaa used .............elephants

• 6 - 7

• 9 - 12

• 5 - 6

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the elephant that Abrahaa used?

• Abu Jahl

• Mahmoud

• Dumbo

• Kinnah

Multiple Choice

What did Mahmoud the elephant do when Abrahaa's men directed it towards the Ka'baa?

• It ran towards it

• It stopped and didn't move

• It cried

• It ran around in circles

Multiple Choice

Who was Abdul Mutalib?

• The Prophet (S) Uncle

• The Prophet (S) Grandfather

• The Prophet (S) Cousin

Multiple Choice

How many of Abdul Mutalibs Camels did Abraha's men steal ?

• 20

• 200

• 500

Multiple Choice

What was the punishment Allah SWT sent to Abrahaa and his army

• Fighter jets

• Eagles

• Birds

• Acid Rain

Multiple Choice

What did the birds carry ?

• Food

• Chickpeas

• Rocks

• Balloons

Maa Shaa Allah!!

Well done everyone!!

You all did a fantastic job in answering the questions.