أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ 1
Translations
Have you not considered, [O Muḥammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?
Transliteration
Alam tara kayfa fa'ala rabbuka bi-ashaab al-feel
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Fil addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers, asking them to reflect upon how Allah destroyed the army of Abraha and his elephant that marched toward Makkah to demolish the Ka'bah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this rhetorical question is designed to awaken consciousness and gratitude for Allah's miraculous protection of the Sacred House and His chosen city. The surah serves as a vivid historical reminder of divine intervention and the futility of opposing Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca and commemorates the historical event of the Year of the Elephant (Aam al-Feel), approximately 50-55 years before the Prophet's birth, when Abraha al-Ashram, the Christian ruler of Yemen, led a military expedition with an elephant to destroy the Ka'bah. The surah's revelation served to console the believers and remind them of Allah's protection over the Holy House and His signs of power.
Related Hadiths
Imam Ahmad and others recorded that when the Prophet was asked about the Year of the Elephant, he confirmed the historical event and Allah's miraculous destruction of Abraha's army through small birds (ababil) that pelted them with stones of baked clay. The incident is also referenced in historical Islamic literature (Sirah) as one of the most significant pre-Islamic events witnessed by the Arabs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to reflect upon Allah's signs and historical proofs of His protection over what is sacred, fostering trust in divine providence and recognition that those who oppose Allah's will and sacred sanctuaries shall inevitably face destruction. It inspires gratitude for spiritual safety and encourages confidence in Allah's guardianship over His religion and places of worship.