The Journey of Mohamed – Seal of Islam [PART TWO]:
The Year of the Elephants
In the late sixth century, Mecca’s southern neighbor, Yemen was under the rule of an Ethiopian Governor, Abraha al-Ashram, Abraha (a.k.a Abramos 530-570 C.E.). Abraha marched on to Mecca, (though literally it was unaccomplished), he was reportedly envious of the pilgrimage traffic Mecca was attracting. He intended to build a similar, a rival pilgrimage site in Yemen. He ordered the establishment of a beautiful cathedral in Sana’a, and ordered people to go there instead of the Ka’bah in Mecca. It was when no one showed up that he set out to attack Mecca and destroy the holy house of Arabia. Little did he know what fate awaits him in Mecca!
It was believed that Abraha’s army attempted to march on Mecca with a cavalry of elephants, an animal that the Arabs had never before seen. He sent word out that he will not harm anyone but those who come in his way, and that he comes only to destroy the old Ka’baa built by Abraham and Ishmael.
On arrival at Al-Mughammas (a valley mid-way between Ta’if and Mecca), Abraha dispatched one of his commanders to Mecca where he looted some belongings of the Quraish and other Arabs, including two hundred or so camels which belonged to Abdul Muttalib ibn Hashim, the Chief of Mecca. Quraish, Kinana, Huthail and neighbouring Arab tribes gathered to fight Abraha but then they realized that they stood no chance of winning, so they did not proceed. Abraha ordered his messengers to bring him the Mecca Chief.
When Abraha saw Abdul Muttalib, he felt much respect for the Arab chief. He felt that Abdul Muttalib was too noble to sit beneath his royal bed but at the same time he did not wish to be seen by the Abyssinians sitting with him on the royal bed, so he came down and sat with Abdul Muttalib on the carpet.
Abraha ordered his interpreter to ask Abdul Muttalib what he wanted. Abdul Muttalib said that he wanted to request the king to give him back his two hundred camels which were looted by his commander. Abraha shocked at the response ordered his interpreter to tell Abdul Muttalib:
I admired you when I first saw you but when I spoke to you I was disappointed. Do you come to talk to me about two hundred looted camels and forget about the House which is an embodiment of your and your forefathers’ religion and which I have come to destroy? You did not even say a word to persuade me to spare it.
Abdul Muttalib said:
I am only the master of my camels, but the House has its own Lord who is sure to protect it.
Abraha snapped, “It cannot be defended against me”. The Mecca chief said: “You take your chance!”
Abraha returned his camels to him. Abdul Muttalib went back to the Quraish and told them of his encounter with the Abyssinian commander and ordered them to leave Mecca and seek shelter in the mountains surrounding it. Then he went with a few personalities of the Quraish to the Ka’ba where he held the ring on its door in his hand. They all prayed hard to Allah for his help and protection of the House.
Abdul Muttalib is reported to have recited the following lines of poetry in his prayer:
“Our Lord, a creature protects his property, so protect Yours. Let not their cross and their might ever overcome Your might. If You are leaving them to destroy our House of worship, then You surely have something in mind.”
Abraha ordered his army to march in to Mecca with his strong elephants to destroy the House of God. As the army proceeded to enter in to the Holy city, the big elephant that led the army sat down and refused to go any further. The soldiers were unsuccessful in all their efforts to persuade the elephant to enter the city.
A flock of birds flew over the great army of Abraha, droping pebbles from their beaks and claws. The stones destroyed the army and injured Abraha himself; he died on his retreat back to Yemen. Indeed the Lord of the house has protected his property.
This event in the Arab history is referred to as the Year of the Elephant (570 C.E). This was also the year that Mecca Chief Abdul Muttalib’s grandson was born, the boy who will become to be known as Mohammed the Last Messenger of God.
The story in Quran:
Chapter 105 – Surah Al-Feel (The Elephant)
1. Have you (O Mohamed) not seen how your Lord dealt with the Owners of the Elephant? [The elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abrahah Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Ka'bah at Makkah]
2. Did He not make their plot go astray?
3. And sent against them birds, in flocks,
4. Striking them with stones of Sijjil.
5. And made them like an empty field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle).
Reference:
>> Christine Huda Dodge, the City of Mecca, Islamic History; Origins of Arabia
>> International Islamic University Malaysia Website, Sura # 105 – The Elephant (Al-Feel)
>> Interpretations of the meanings of Holy Quran – Dhar-us-Salam Publications