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MIFTAAH INSTITUTE BACKGROUND

Surah Al-Fil, a meccan surah, has 5 ayats and is the 110th surah in the order of the Quran. Its primary subject matter is reminding the people of Mecca of the incident of the people of the elephant when Abraha Al-Ashram and his army set out to destroy the Kabah.

The story of the people of the elephant is a direct answer to the dua Following the commandment of Allah, Abrahim<عليه السالم Abrahim عليه السالم left his son and wife in the lands of Mecca, Abrahim عليه السالم pleaded with Allah for the safety and security for the blessed land of Mecca.

The protection and the sanctity of the Mecca and the Kabah is being shown in Surah Al-Fil as a reminder to all. Explanation َ َ AYAH 1 َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ُّ َ ْ َ ْ ألم تر كيف فعل ربك بِأصح ِاب الفِ ِيل

with the people of Have you Your Master dealt how the elephant not seen

-A rhetorical ques ترى Who were the people The word of the elephant? Why commonly translated tion is used not to is the elephant being as "see". In this context ask for an answer, highlighted? Why were its used as "know" or but to emphasize they in Mecca? "see the results of... " a point

When the tyrant and murderous king, Dhu-Nawas lost his reign over Yemen, a commander by the name Abraha Al-Ashram took soverignty and control over much of Yemen. Upon ascension to power, Abrah built a massive church for the Christians. Despite being attended by Christians, Abrha was annoyed with the fact that continous pilgramages of worship and trade were being made to the Kabah. In an attempt to persuade the people away from the Kabah, Abraha built a replica of the Kabah inside the church. When some of Quraysh heard about this, they went to Abrhah's church and defecated inside it. Furthermore, once the news that Abrha wanted to destroy the holy kabah, they snuck into the church and burnded it to the ground. All of which led up to Abra- ha marching to Mecca with a giant army led by an infantry of elphants. Explanation AYAH 2 & 3 َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ ْ ألم يعل كيدهم ِف تضلِ ٍيل into didn't he their plot misguidance make

َمكر The word is to also means كيد can also be used The word ضالني The word to convey misguidance. The highlight that their plot or plan. َمكر use of here is an emphasis plan was carefully implies that the تضليل their complete and utter state thought-out and plan was not of misguidance orchestrated. announced َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ ْ ً َ َ َ وأرسل علي ِهم طيا أبابِيل and He flocks birds upon them sent

Continous succession of flocks.

Allah SWT is reminding the people of Mecca and the generations of Muslims to come that despite what seems like inevitable doom, Al- lah will aid from places least expected. The usage of birds as a means of destruction serves as a reminder that even the most insignificant things can bring about significant change and blessing. Explanation AYAH 4 & 5 َ ْ َ َ ّ ّ تر ِم ِيهم ِبِجار ٍة ِمن ِس ِج ٍيل (made) from rocks they threw clay

is found Birds that carried rocks ّسجيل The word in other places in the in their beaks and Quran. claws.

The transgressing people of Lut AS were also حجارة من ّسجيل destroyed with ْ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َّ ُ فجعلهم كعص ٍف مأك ٍول

so He made eaten like straw them

straw that has been reduced down to dust Full Lecture An in-depth look at Surah Al-Fil

Surah Al-Fil was revealed pertaining to a very specific and histori- was born. Mufti ﷺ cal event that took place in the year The Prophet Abdul-Wahab details the lessons that we can derive and learn from Surah Al-Fil and implement in our lives and in our daily recitals. Click to listen to the entire lecture. MIFTAAH INSTITUTE 28111 Imperial Dr, Warren, MI 48093

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