The chapter al-Fil of the Quran was revealed in Mecca[1] and reports the divine miracle to preserve Ka'ba and destroy Abraha's army. Abraha was the commander of a big army who stepped forward to destroy Ka'ba and in fact fight God of Ka'ba. God destroyed them with stones carried by small birds.[2]
In some Quranic resources a tradition has been narrated from Imam Sajjad (PBUH) telling why this chapter was revealed. We will cover this tradition in brief as follows:
Abu Talib told the Holy Prophet (S): O my cousin! Have you been sent to all humans or just for your own tribe? He said:"No, I have been sent to all humans; white and black, Arab and non-Arab, I swear to God that I invite all white and black people to this religion, and everyone who are in mountains or on sea, I invite Persia and Rome."
The Holy Prophet's words (S) reached Quraysh and surprised them. They addressed Abu Talib: "Do you not listen to what your cousin says?" We swear by God that if people of Persia and Rome hear his words they would kidnap us from our lands and would tear down Ka'ba. This was the occasion where God revealed chapter al-Fil following what Quraysh said that the people of Persia and Rome would destroy Ka'ba.[3]
At the beginning of this chapter God says: "Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the possessors of the elephant?" [4] Here a question arises that why God has started this chapter with an estefham-e enkari [a type of question which is not a real question rather it means the opposite meaning with an emphasis on it][5]. In response it can be said that the verse is about to receive a confession to the above-mentioned issue; God treated Abraha and his army that way; now you Prophet (S) you are Our messenger and Our confidant and you are endeavoring in Our path so We support you as well and you should not be intimidated by your enemies.[6]
In addition, it seems that "alam tara [which literally means have you not seen…]" should not be literally translated; since it happened years before his prophecy and it has been even said that holy Prophet (S) has been born in that year. Therefore, interpreters of the Quran have interpreted "alam tara" into "alam ta'lam "meaning "Have you not considered…?"[7]. It may be put this way because the news of this event was absolutely true and known by everyone, knowledge of what needs sighting; that is why the verse uses the verb "see".[8]
Final verses of the chapter explain how God Almighty has destroyed the enemy through a miracle-like event. "And send down (to prey) upon them birds in flocks, Casting against them stones of baked clay, So He rendered them like straw eaten up?" [9]
Unlike what is popular among ordinary people, Ababil was not the name of those birds rather it means flocks of them; that means God sent the birds in blocks. [10]
Sijjil means stone and mud[11]. It can mean that stones with mud attached to them were used to bombard Abraha's army. It can also mean that those stones were used because the birds had flown from the sea to Abraha's army.[12]
The Reward for Reciting Chapter al-Fil
About the reward for reciting this chapter, Imam Sadeq (S) has said:"Anyone who recites chapter al-Fil in his obligatory prayers, in the hereafter every desert, mountain and sandy area would testify that he has been among those who said prayers. And a caller would call that: "You were right about My servant. I accept your testimony about him, guide him to the heavens and do not reckon him; because he is among those whom I like them and I like their deeds." [13]
However it is prudent to say that many jurisprudents have said that chapter al-Fil does not suffice solely in prayers, rather it should be recited after al-Hamd along with chapter Quraysh; because these two chapter are considered as a single chapter if recited in prayers.[14]

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