“Eelaaf” of the Quraysh:

After the Saba flood

All the events since the flood in the kingdom of Saba happened very quickly. For example, right after the flood, there was an economic decline in that region. In Makkah, the four brothers went out and made treaties with all the nearby tribes in the area to secure the economic region and they were called “as-haabal eelaaf”. Hence “eelaaf” is referring to how the other powers like the Romans, some of the Yemeni kingdoms, some of the Iraqi kingdoms, the Persian kingdoms made treaties. There was an “eelaaf” (familiarity, love, courtesy etc.) established between these powers and the Quraysh.

Defeat of Abrahah’s army

Initially, the idols around the Kaaba were considered sacred but Quraysh themselves were not. But when Abrahah’s army was marching towards Makkah, he was taking over all the tribes. Even Taif, the second biggest tribe near Makkah, surrendered and also a person from that tribe helped Abrahah’s army. So, when the powerful army of Abrahah got defeated it sent shockwaves in the Arab region. Everyone’s hearts got softened for the Quraysh because they assumed that Quraysh were divinely appointed and had some heavenly security from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Hence it created an immediate “eelaaf” for the Quraysh.

This flipped towards the end of the Seerah. When Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) conquered Makkah, he did it without any war. That sent shockwaves around the Arab region again. The last time when someone (Abrahah) came to conquer Makkah, it was a huge army and that got defeated, and, this time Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) didn’t even come with an army. The Muslims just walked over to make Hajj, and took over. So, people then started thinking that he must be divinely appointed and that he must be the Messenger of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Hence when the help of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) arrived and victory was granted to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), people in multitudes started embracing Islam (Surah Nasr ayat 1 and 2). The “eelaaf” that Quraysh enjoyed was then transferred over to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

Spiritual Call for Quraysh

Some scholars have argued that “eelaaf” in this ayat is a spiritual call on the Quraysh themselves. It is so that the hearts of the Quraysh be softened, and they get familiar and be in love with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Nobody should have more love and regard for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) than the Quraysh because of the conveniences given to them. These people should be the best example of humanity. When Ibrahim (alaihissalam) built the Kaaba thousands of years ago, he wanted the hearts of everyone to incline towards the people that took care of the Kaaba.

Even today, when people visit the Kaaba, they should not only feel closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) but also, by meeting the good people living in Makkah, their hearts should become so kind that when they go back home, they feel even closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) because of those people.