The 105th chapter of the Quran is called Surah Al-Fil. It has 5 brief verses and belongs to the Meccan surah. This chapter describes the historical event that underlines the hours of Allah and His care upon his holy house, the Kaaba.
| Aspect | Details |
| Chapter Number | 105 |
| Name | Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant) |
| Number of Verses | 5 |
| Type | Meccan Surah |
| Main Theme | Allah’s power and protection of the Kaaba |
| Key Lesson | Divine intervention protects sacred places and punishes oppressors |
History Perspective: The Historical Context
The surah was at this period that an army of elephants was led by Abraha, the Christian King of Yemen, to demolish the Kaaba. He aimed at diverting the pilgrimage to a magnificent church he constructed in Yemen.
Allah came in when the army of Abraha was approaching Mecca. Round flew masses of birds, carrying with them stones of baked clay, quite pelting the army. This act of God destroyed the invaders, leaving them as straw that has been eaten (Quran 105:5).
Important Lessons of Surah Al-Fil
The Power of Allah is Supremacy
All of the efforts of Abraha were futile despite the great army and elaborate plan it as Allah interfered in the lives of people. This indicates that there is no power to do something that can surpass the will of God.
Protection of Sacred Places
The Kaaba, being the house of Allah, could not be damaged. Through this incident, the faithful are assured that Allah protects the things that are holy to him.
To Oppressors: Another Warning
The annihilation of the army of Abrahas is used as a lesson that anyone daring to question the power of Allah will suffer immensely.
Believing in the Plan of Allah
All the individuals of Mecca, headed by Abdul Muttalib (the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad), had a belief in Allah. Their faith did pay off as they got divine protection.
سورت الفیل
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillah Al-Rehman Al-Raheem
اللہ کے نام سے شروع جو نہایت مہربان ، رحمت والاہے۔
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
1-أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ
Alam tara kaifa fa’ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel
کیا آپ نے نہیں دیکھا کہ آپ کے رب نے ہاتھی والوں سے کیا برتاؤ کیا.
Have you not seen ˹O Prophet˺ how your Lord dealt with the Army of the Elephant?
2- أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ
Alam yaj’al kaidahum fee tadleel
کیا اس نے ان کی تدبیر کو بے کار نہیں بنا دیا تھا۔
Did he not frustrate their scheme?
3- وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
Wa arsala ‘alaihim tairan abaabeel
اور اس نے ان پر غول کے غول پرندے بھیجے۔
For He sent against them flocks of birds,
4- تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ
Tarmeehim bihijaaratim min sijjeel
جہاں پر پتھر کنکر کی قسم کے پھینکتے تھے۔
that pelted them with stones of baked clay,
5- فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَأْكُولٍ
Faja ‘alahum ka’asfim m’akool
پھر انہیں کھائے ہوئے بھس کی طرح کر ڈالا۔
leaving them like chewed-up straw.
| Verse | Arabic Text | Transliteration | Urdu Translation | English Translation |
| 1 | أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ | Alam tara kaifa fa’ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel | کیا آپ نے نہیں دیکھا کہ آپ کے رب نے ہاتھی والوں سے کیا برتاؤ کیا۔ | Have you not seen ˹O Prophet˺ how your Lord dealt with the Army of the Elephant? |
| 2 | أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ | Alam yaj’al kaidahum fee tadleel | کیا اس نے ان کی تدبیر کو بے کار نہیں بنا دیا تھا۔ | Did he not frustrate their scheme? |
| 3 | وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ | Wa arsala ‘alaihim tairan abaabeel | اور اس نے ان پر غول کے غول پرندے بھیجے۔ | For He sent against them flocks of birds, |
| 4 | تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ | Tarmeehim bihijaaratim min sijjeel | جہاں پر پتھر کنکر کی قسم کے پھینکتے تھے۔ | that pelted them with stones of baked clay, |
| 5 | فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَأْكُولٍ | Faja ‘alahum ka’asfim m’akool | پھر انہیں کھائے ہوئے بھس کی طرح کر ڈالا۔ | leaving them like chewed-up straw. |
Relevance Today
The surah Al-Fil is not a historical story; it is an eternal education. It makes us understand how we should count on Allah in the hardship moments and honor sacred things. Surah also focuses on the hopelessness of pride and tyranny.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Fil reminds us that no force can overpower Allah’s will. The chapter highlights the importance of trusting Allah during challenges. It also teaches respect for sacred values and warns against arrogance. Through this story, believers find reassurance in Allah’s protection and power.
