- Revealed in: Makkah
- Number of ayat: 5
- One of the favors Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) did for the Quraysh
Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) saved the Quraysh from the People of the Elephant who had tried to tear down the Ka’bah and wipe out all traces of its existence. He destroyed them, defeated them, thwarted their plans, made their efforts in vain and sent them back routed.
They were Christians, and their religion was closer to the true religion (Islam) than the idolatry of the Quraysh. However, this was a means of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) giving a sign and preparing the way for the coming of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
According to the most popular opinion, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was born during that same year.
Hadith from Jami’ At-Tirmidhi
Narrated Al-Muttalib bin ‘Abdullah bin Qais bin Makhramah: from his father, from his grandfather, that he said: “I and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), were born in the Year of the Elephant” – he said: “And ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (radi allahu anhu) asked Qubath bin Ashyam (radi allahu anhu), the brother of Banu Ya’mar bin Laith (radi allahu anhu) – ‘Are you greater (in age) or the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?”’ He said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is greater than me, but I have an earlier birthday.” He said: “And I saw the defecation of the birds turning green.”
So the tongue of destiny was saying,
We will not help you, O people of Quraysh, because of any status you may have over the Ethiopians (Abyssinians). We are only helping you in order to defend the ancient house (the Ka’bah), which we will honor, magnify, and venerate by sending the unlettered Prophet, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the final of all Prophets.
Background:
There is a significant history that precedes the incident described in this Surah. It is history beyond the Arab region. It can be thought of as international politics and economics before the coming of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
There is also a spiritual history for this Surah. Let’s understand them in detail.