The Event Of The Elephant

The Event Of The Elephant

During this period a significant event took place which portended another happening of even greater importance. It meant that Allah desired a better future for the Arabs and that the Ka'bah would take on an importance never before attained by any place of worship anywhere in the world.

Abrahah Al-Ashram, the viceroy of Negus, the King

of Abyssinia, who ruled over the Yemen, built an imposing cathedral in San'a' and named it 'al-Qullays'. He intended to divert the Arab pilgrimage to San'a'. As a Christian, he was jealous that the Ka'bah should be the place where pilgrims gathered and he wanted this position for his church.

The Arabs were stunned by the news. They could not equate any other place with the love and respect they had

for the Ka'bah. They could not contemplate exchanging it for any other house of worship. They were preoccupied with the news and discussed it endlessly. An Arab daredevil from the Kinanah tribe went so far as to enter the cathedral and defecate in it. Abrahah was furious when he heard About it and swore that he would not rest until he had destroyed the Ka'bah.

He set out for Makkah with a strong force that included elephants. The Arabs had heard some frightening stories About  elephants. They were both distressed and alarmed. Although they wanted to obstruct the progress of Abrahah's army, they realized that they lacked the power to fight him. They could

leave the matter to Allah and trust to the fact that He was the Lord of the ka‘bah and would protect it. This trust is amply demonstrated by a conversation between Quraysh, Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of the prophet. Abrahah had seized two hundred camels of his so Abdu'l-Muttalib sought permission to see him. Abrahah  treated him with respect, descended from his throne and sat down beside him. When Abrahah asked what he wanted, 'Abdu'l-Muttalib replied, I want you to return my two hundred camels.'

Abrahah was taken by surprise. He asked, Do you wish to speak to me About your two hundred camels that I have taken but say nothing About the House on Which your religion and that of your forefathers depends? I have come to destroy it, yet you do not speak to me About it!'

Abdu'l-Muttalib replied, I am the owner of the camels. The House also has an Owner. He will defend it.'

“It will not be defended against me,” retorted Abrahah.

'That remains to be seen,' said Abdu‘l-Muttalib.

As Abrahah's force drew near, the Quraysh hid high up in the mountains and down in the ravines. They feared the army's approach and waited to see how Allah would save the sacred sanctuary. 'Abdu'l-Muttalib stood with a group of Quraysh and took hold of the door of the Ka'bah, imploring Allah to help them against Abrahah and his army.

Abrahah drew up his soldiers to enter Makkah fully intending to destroy the House. His elephant, whose name was Mahmud, was prepared for the attack. However, the elephant knelt down on the road and refused to get up in spite of severe beatings. When they turned it to face Yemen it got up  immediately and moved off.

Allah then sent flocks of birds from the sea; each bird carried stones in its claws. Whenever a stone struck one of Abrahah's soldiers it killed him. The Abyssinians fled in terror, rushing back as the stones hit them. Abrahah was badly hurt. When his soldiers tried to take him with them, his limbs fell off one by one. They took him to San'a' where he died a miserable death.

The Qur'an relates:

'Have you not seen what your Lord did with the

people of the Elephant? Did He not make their plan

come to nothing. He sent birds against them in flocks,

stoning them with stones of baked clay. He made them

like eaten stubble.' (105: 1-5)

When Allah repelled the Abyssinians from Makkah, the Arabs' respect for the Quraysh increased. They said, 'These are the people of Allah. Allah fought on their side and helped them to defeat their enemy.'

The Arabs attached great importance to this event and rightly so. They dated their calendar from it, saying, 'This occurred in the Year of the Elephant,' and

'So-and-so was born in the Year of the Elephant' or 'This

occurred so many years after the Year of the Elephant.'

The Year of the Elephant Was 570 in the Christian

calendar.