Surah Al-Fil Meaning: Understanding the Story and Lessons Behind the Chapter
The Meaning of Surah Al-Fil ~ Hi all readers! Surah Al-Fil is one of the surahs in the Quran. In general, this surah tells the story of King Abraha and his army, who failed to attack Mecca because they were destroyed by Allah's army of birds. If we examine Islamic historical records about this event, we will find that King Abraha misunderstood what was happening in Mecca. He was told that the Kaaba had become a center of paganism. That's why he wanted to invade Mecca to destroy the Kaaba.
Of course, as Muslims, we must know this. That's why I wrote this article. So, make sure you read it to the end!
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Before I explain the meaning of Surah Al-Fil, I want to clarify that this is a Makkiyah surah, meaning that Allah revealed it to the Prophet Muhammad before he migrated to Medina. This surah consists of five verses, twenty-three words, and ninety-six letters.
The Verses of Surah Al-Fil
The verses of Surah Al-Fil are as follows:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡفِيلِ ١ أَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡ كَيۡدَهُمۡ فِي تَضۡلِيلٖ ٢ وَأَرۡسَلَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ طَيۡرًا أَبَابِيلَ ٣ تَرۡمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٖ مِّن سِجِّيلٖ ٤ فَجَعَلَهُمۡ كَعَصۡفٖ مَّأۡكُولِۢ ٥
"Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? [1] Did He not make their plan into misguidance? [2] And He sent against them birds in flocks, [3] Striking them with stones of hard clay, [4] And He made them like eaten straw." [5] (Surah Al-Fil, 105:1-5).
Read Also: Meaning of Surah Al-Fatihah
The Meaning of Surah Al-Fil
(أَلَمۡ تَرَ) means "Do you not know, O most noble Messenger (Prophet Muhammad)?"
(كَيۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلۡفِيلِ) means "[Do you not know] how your Lord dealt with the people who came with elephants?" There are different opinions regarding the name of the king who led the army. According to Qatadah, the king's name was Abraha al-Ashram, who came from Ethiopia or Abyssinia (Habasha). But according to Sa'id bin Jubair, the king's name was Abu al-Kaisyum.
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(أَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡ كَيۡدَهُمۡ فِي تَضۡلِيلٖ) means "Surely, your Lord (Allah) turned their plans into utter destruction for them."
(وَأَرۡسَلَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ طَيۡرًا أَبَابِيلَ) means "And your Lord (Allah) sent Ababil birds to destroy them."
(تَرۡمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٖ مِّن سِجِّيلٖ) means "The birds pelted them with stones." There are differences of opinion regarding the stones. Some say they were stones used for punishment, while others say they came from Hell.
(فَجَعَلَهُمۡ كَعَصۡفٖ مَّأۡكُولِۢ) means "Allah made them like leaves devoured by caterpillars."
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All readers! That is a brief explanation of the meaning of Surah Al-Fil. Do you understand? If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
I think that's enough for this article. May it be useful, Ameen!
See you in the next article!
6 comments for "Surah Al-Fil Meaning: Understanding the Story and Lessons Behind the Chapter"
The author's effort to explain the significance of the events, particularly the story of King Abraha and the divine intervention by Allah's army of birds, is commendable. This story powerfully demonstrates Allah's unmatched power and protection over the Kaaba, emphasizing His ability to protect what is sacred.
What I also appreciate is the article's structure, which includes the original verses in Arabic, their English translation, and then a detailed breakdown of their meanings. This format makes it very engaging and informative, allowing me to connect with the Quran on a deeper level.
Thank you to the author for taking the time to provide such an enriching and educational piece. It not only increases my knowledge of Islamic history but also strengthens my faith as I reflect on Allah's omnipotence and wisdom.
I highly recommend this article to anyone looking to understand Surah Al-Fil better, especially fellow new Muslims. May Allah reward the author for their efforts and grant them continuous blessings. I look forward to reading more articles from you!
Thank you for reading this article.
Warm regards.
The inclusion of the different opinions on the name of the king and the nature of the stones used by the birds adds an informative dimension to the article, enhancing its depth. The explanations are clear, straightforward, and accessible, which is essential for readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of this powerful surah.
I am thankful to the writer for sharing this knowledge in such an easy-to-follow format. This article is a great resource, and I am sure it will help many others, especially women like me, who strive to increase their understanding of Islam. May Allah reward the writer for this valuable work, and I look forward to reading more articles like this in the future. Thank you for the wonderful explanation, and may it be beneficial to all who read it!
Thank you for reading this article.
Warm regards.
What I particularly appreciate is the way the article breaks down the verses and explains their meanings in simple and easy-to-understand language. The explanation of key terms, like "Ababil" (the birds sent by Allah), and the description of how they pelted the army with stones of hard clay, truly help to bring the verses to life. I also found the historical context about King Abraha's misunderstanding of the situation in Mecca, which led to his attempt to destroy the Kaaba, to be very enlightening.
Moreover, the author does a great job of providing additional context on different opinions about King Abraha's identity, adding depth to the discussion. This level of detail helps readers not only understand the Surah better but also appreciate the rich history behind it.
I also love how the article is structured with headings like "The Meaning of Surah Al-Fil," "The Verses of Surah Al-Fil," and "The Meaning of Surah Al-Fil." This makes it easier to follow along and find key information quickly. It shows the author's commitment to providing a well-organized and informative piece for readers of all backgrounds.
In conclusion, I'm very satisfied with this article. It's well-written, easy to follow, and provides valuable insights into one of the most important stories in Islamic history. I highly recommend this article to anyone who wants to learn more about Surah Al-Fil and its deeper meaning. Thank you, dear author, for sharing this with us!
Thank you for reading this article.
Warm regards.