Surah 105. Al-Fil The Elephant - English Translation

The surah Al-Fīl (“The Elephant”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 5 verses. It was revealed in Mecca to remind the Arabs of a well-known historical event: the expedition of Abraha’s army of elephants against the Ka‘bah. This incident occurred in the same year as the Prophet’s ﷺ birth, known as ‘Ām al-Fīl (“the Year of the Elephant”).

According to Ibn Kathīr, the surah was revealed to remind the Quraysh that the Sacred House (Ka‘bah) is protected by Allah, not by their idols or social prestige. It delivers a historical and theological lesson: Allah Himself destroyed those who sought to desecrate His sanctuary, affirming His supreme power and sovereignty.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Al-Fīl illustrates Allah’s protective power and His direct intervention in human history. It recounts how an army with elephants was annihilated by flocks of birds sent by God. The main teachings include:

• Allah protects His House: no earthly force can oppose His will. (verse 1)
• The destruction of Abraha’s army: they were struck by birds carrying stones of hardened clay. (verses 3–4)
• Proof of divine sovereignty: the event stands as a lasting sign that the Ka‘bah is sacred and safeguarded by Allah alone. (verse 5)

The surah serves as a historical reminder and moral warning to the Quraysh: the same Lord who defended His House expects their recognition and worship.

Structure and Main Themes

• Verse 1: A rhetorical question recalling the famous event of the Elephant.
• Verses 2–3: Description of how Allah dispersed and defeated Abraha’s army.
• Verses 4–5: Graphic image of divine retribution—an army reduced to “chewed straw.”

The tone is historical and declarative: it connects a defining moment in Arabian memory to the manifestation of Allah’s power and protection.

Key Verse

The key verse of the surah is verse 5:

فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ

Then He made them like eaten straw.

Why is this verse key?

• It concludes the surah with a vivid image of divine justice, showing the total collapse of human arrogance before God’s power.
• It demonstrates Allah’s unmatched ability to defend His sacred symbols without human assistance.
• The metaphor of “chewed straw” emphasizes the complete obliteration of the aggressors, a timeless warning against defying the divine will.

In summary, Al-Fīl teaches that no one can attack Allah’s sanctuary and escape His justice. It establishes the Ka‘bah as a symbol of unity and faith, while foreshadowing the coming of the Prophet ﷺ and the divine mission that would follow this pivotal event.