تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ 4
Translations
Striking them with stones of hard clay,
Transliteration
Tarmihim bi-hijarah min sijjil
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sent birds (ababil) to pelt the elephant army with stones of baked clay (sijjil), destroying them completely. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, sijjil refers to stones of hardened clay, and this miraculous event demonstrated Allah's protection of the Kaaba and His power to defend His House against those who sought to desecrate it. The destruction was not merely from the stones themselves, but a divine miracle that turned would-be invaders into scattered ruins.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Fil, which recounts the historical event of Abraha's elephant army's attempted invasion of Mecca to destroy the Kaaba around 570 CE (the Year of the Elephant). The surah was revealed in Mecca to remind the Quraysh of Allah's protection and to establish His power over those who oppose His religion and sacred places.
Related Hadiths
The event is referenced in various historical reports (akhbar) compiled by scholars like Al-Tabari. A thematically related hadith is found in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the Year of the Elephant as a significant historical marker in his lifetime.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah actively protects His religion and sacred institutions against those who oppose them, instilling confidence that trust in Allah's protection is justified. It reminds us that material power and military might are insignificant when confronted with Allah's will, and that faith in Divine protection is more valuable than earthly armies.