فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍۭ 5
Translations
And He made them like eaten straw.
Transliteration
Faja'alahum ka'asafin ma'kul
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah made the elephant army (of Abrahah) like eaten straw or chaff, completely destroyed and rendered useless. Ibn Kathir explains that 'asaf (عصف) refers to straw or chaff left over after grain is harvested, and 'ma'kul' (مأكول) means eaten or consumed, signifying utter destruction and fragmentation. The verse emphasizes the complete annihilation of Abrahah's forces through the miraculous intervention of flocks of birds (ababeel) that pelted them with stones of baked clay, as mentioned in the previous verses.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fil commemorates the Year of the Elephant (570 CE), when Abrahah, the Christian ruler of Yemen, attempted to destroy the Kaaba with an army of elephants. This surah was revealed in Mecca to remind the Quraysh of Allah's protection of His House and His power to defend His religion against those who seek to harm it. The entire surah narrates this historical event as evidence of divine protection.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tafsir) narrates from Ibn Abbas regarding the Year of the Elephant and Abrahah's failed expedition. Additionally, the biography of the Prophet (Sirah) by Ibn Hisham contains detailed accounts of this event, confirming the historical authenticity of the Quranic narrative.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah protects those who trust in Him and His sacred sanctities, and that no matter how powerful or numerous the enemies of faith may appear, they are ultimately insignificant before Allah's will. It encourages reliance on Allah's protection rather than fear of worldly powers.