Al-Fil (الْفِيل), sometimes also written as "Al-Feel", is an Arabic word which means "Elephant." The title of the surah comes from its first verse, اَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِاَصْحٰبِ الْفِيْلِ (Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the people of the elephant?). The surah refers to a famous incident that occurred around 570 CE, shortly before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), when Abraha, the ruler of Yemen, attacked Mecca in an attempt to destroy the Ka’aba (Baitullah). Its first two verses are posed as questions.
Surah Al-Feel, or Al-Fil, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ during the earlier days of Islam, in Mecca; hence it is known as a Makki Surah. It is at number 19 in the order of revelation, whereas it comes at number 105 in the recitation sequence. Surah Al-Feel appears in the Juzz 30 of the Quran. Within the 30th Juzz, it falls at number 28. It is a short Surah, having 5 verses grouped in one Ruku. It consists of a total of 23 words with 96 letters. It is a unique type of surah, where the verses are expressed by way of raising questions.
١٠٥ - ٱلْفِيل
105 - Al-Feel
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Surah Al-Fil is one of the earliest Surahs of the Quran, revealed in Mecca. The main subject of the Surahs revealed in this period revolved around the core Islamic beliefs, such as the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) (Tawheed), Resurrection, and final accountability on the Day of Judgment. Each Surah revealed during that phase addresses these core Islamic beliefs in general, and one of them in particular. Surah Al-Fil presents the historical evidence of Tawheed.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was born in the year popularly remembered by Arabs as "the Year of the Elephant" (’Am al-Fil), in 570 or 571 CE. The attack on the Ka’aba happened in the month of Muharram of that year, about 50 days before the Prophet’s (ﷺ) birth (Maududi). Abraha, the ruler of Yemen, was a Christian who planned to divert the traditional pilgrimage from the Ka’aba, situated in Mecca, to his controlled territory in Yemen. For this purpose, he built a big church, historically known as "al-Qalis", in San’a, Yemen. But no one turned towards Yemen for pilgrimage, and Mecca remained the undisputed center for pilgrimage from all around the region.
When Abraha failed in this aim, he decided to demolish the Ka’aba, for which he gathered an army of 60,000 soldiers with 13 elephants (Maududi). At that time, Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was the chief of the Quraysh tribe and the custodian of the Ka’aba. In and around the Ka’aba there were some 360 idols, and the majority of Meccans used to worship them. But Abdul Muttalib did not rely on these idols. He was of the view that he and his tribe were not in a position to defend the Ka’aba against a well-organized army of 60,000. He said that the Ka’aba is the house of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and He will protect it. So, he ordered his tribe to take refuge in the nearby mountains.
Before leaving, he, along with the notables of his tribe, gathered at the Ka’aba and prayed to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), not to the idols, to protect His house. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) then sent birds in flocks (ababil). The word ababil means "in flocks" or "swarms"; it is not the name of a type of bird (Ma’ariful Qur’an). These birds threw stones at the army of Abraha, which was destroyed. Many soldiers died on the spot, and others died as they fled (Maududi).
Surah Al-Fil is a Makki Surah.
Surah Al-Fil is the 105th Surah of the Quran, placed in the 30th Juz (Para), where it is the 28th Surah. It comes after Surah Al-Humaza and before Surah Quraysh. It is the 19th Surah in the order of revelation, and it consists of 23 words.
Surah Al-Fil has 5 verses.
Surah Al-Fil is grouped into 1 Ruku (section).
The incident was still remembered by many elder Meccans when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was inviting them to worship only One Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). So they were reminded of the incident of the "People of the Elephant", when they were protected from the huge army of Abraha not by their idols but only by One Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), to Whom they had prayed for help. The Surah reminds them of the absolute power and authority of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Who destroyed the army of Abraha and protected His house, as expressed in the last verse, فَجَــعَلَہُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّاْكُوْلٍ (and made them like straw eaten up (by cattle)).
So, the surah reminds them of that historic happening to make them realize how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) punished the forces of Abraha to protect the Meccans and the Ka’aba. Through this short surah, it was made clear to the disbelievers that they should stop worshipping idols. It was further hinted that if they didn’t come to the right path, they would be inviting the anger of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Like every word, verse, and surah of the Quran, Surah Al-Fil also carries spiritual benefits. Recitation of any part of the Quran brings rewards, being a form of worship. Being a short surah of just five verses, it can be memorized easily, and it is a common practice to recite it in the five regular daily prayers. As a common practice, the process of memorizing the Quran often starts with the short Surahs of the 30th Juz, including Surah Al-Fil, which paves the way to memorize the entire Quran.
No authentic hadith mentions a specific benefit of reciting Surah Al-Fil. Some people associate it with protection from enemies, but this belief is not supported by an authentic source. Reciting it reminds us of that historical incident and strengthens our faith that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the Only One Who can protect us from all enemies, no matter how strong and powerful they might be. Some of the core lessons learned from this Surah are as follows:
The Quran was sent down in Arabic, which was the native language of its first audience. The meaning of a particular word may change with even a slight variation in pronouncing it, and some Quranic words are difficult to pronounce correctly, especially for non-Arabic speakers. Since the Quran comprises the words of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), it is extremely important to pronounce them exactly the same way as they were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Correct recitation of the Quran can be learned with the help of a qualified Quran (Tajweed) teacher. A more practical way might be to listen to its recitation by an authentic Qari (reciter). Moreover, sometimes you may just like to listen to the Quran, instead of reading it.
The mobile app "Muslim and Quran" provides the facility of listening to the recitation of the Quran by renowned Qaris. You only need to download the Muslim and Quran mobile application, select the desired Surah and your preferred Qari, and listen to learn the correct recitation of the Quran.
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The Muslim and Quran mobile app provides the facility to read the Quran online. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Al-Fil, in PDF. You can download Surah Al-Fil in PDF from this page by following these simple steps:
Al-Fil translates to "the elephant". In the context of Surah Al-Fil, this word refers to the attempt by Abraha, the ruler of Yemen, to demolish the Ka’aba with an army that included elephants.
No specific benefits are associated with reciting Surah Al-Fil, daily or otherwise. However, reciting any Surah of the Quran is rewarded, especially when recited while understanding its meanings. Reciting this Surah also reminds us of the ultimate authority and power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), Who protected the Ka’aba from Abraha’s army.
No specific time of the day is associated with the recitation of Surah Al-Fil. Any part of the Quran, including Surah Al-Fil, can be recited at any time during the day or night. So, you can recite it whenever you have sufficient time to do so, with complete presence of mind.
No authentic hadith describes a specific virtue of this Surah.
The Quran, including Surah Al-Fil, was revealed in Arabic, which was the language of its first audience. But it was sent down for the benefit and guidance of all humankind, irrespective of language or nation. Anyone can recite it, and non-Arabic speakers can understand its message by reading a translation.