Surah Fil
Surah Al-Fil was revealed in this city.
These animals were part of Abrahah’s army that marched to Mecca.
What are "elephants"?
What number Surah is this?
What is 105?
What is elephant?
Abrahah's army was notably large, estimated to include around this many troops.
What is 60,000?
This surah derives its name from this Arabic word meaning "the elephant."
What is "al-Fil"?
This relative of the Prophet Muhammad met with Abrahah when he arrived in Mecca.
Who is Abdul Muttalib?
This was the motivation behind Abrahah's plan to attack Mecca and destroy the Ka'bah.
What is to divert Arab pilgrimage to his cathedral?
This term refers to the "secret plan" that Abrahah had against the Ka'bah, although it was publicly known.
What is "kayd"?
The story of Abrahah highlights the importance of this attribute, shown by Abdul Muttalib when he relied on Allah for the Ka'bah's protection.
What is tawakkul or faith and trust in Allah?
The historical event referred to in Surah Al-Fil took place around this year.
The army of Abrahah was defeated when this divine intervention occurred.
What is "a swarm of birds pelting stones of baked appeared carrying stones in their beaks and claws and showered these on the troops. Whoever was hit would start disintegrating."
The birds that attacked Abrahah’s army carried stones in these two places.
What are "beaks and claws"?
After their defeat, Abrahah’s army fled back toward this region.
What is Yemen?
In the year 525 AD, this empire supported Abyssinia in invading Yemen.
What is the Byzantine Empire?
This was the name of the elephant that refused to move towards Mecca.
Who is "Mahmud?"
This was Abdul Muttalib's only request to Abrahah.
What is "to return his camels"?
The stones the birds carried were made of this material.
What is "baked clay"?
Abrahah sought to destroy the Ka'bah to shift pilgrimage to this city in Yemen.
What is Sana'a?
According to Islamic tradition, Abrahah’s army was stricken with this disease during their retreat.
What is smallpox?
The people of the elephant came from this region, now known as Ethiopia.
What is Abyssinia?
Abrahah, the leader of the elephant army, built this grand cathedral in Sana'a to divert pilgrims from Mecca.
What is "Al-Qalis"?
This local guide refused to help Abrahah’s army return to Yemen after their defeat.
Who is "Nufail bin Habib"?
This ruler of Yemen was overthrown by Abyssinia, ending the Himyarite Jewish kingdom.
Who is King Dhu-Nuwas?
This is the Arabic term for the small, separate groups of birds that attacked Abrahah’s army.
What is "Ababil"?