In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

We are sometimes faced with the seemingly impossible.

A huge army of elephants, probably big in stature approaching the city of Makkah. Everything probably seemed bleak and scary for the Quraysh. A mighty army that they could not match.

But a sincere Dua by Prophet Ibrahim Alahis salaam and a sincere supplication by Abdul Muttalib the grandfather of the blessed Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him were answered. 

Exercising trust and full conviction that God is listening to their supplication and that He will answer them, their prayers were answered and the story of the elephant describes us the amazing way Allah caused defeat to Abraha and His army. 

So do not fear the obstacle which are in front of you, but ask Allah with conviction and trust that He will help us overcome what causes us some anxiety and fear. 

Small pebbles in the beaks of flying birds caused annihilation of animals and an army huge in stature. But, there is nothing and no one more powerful than Allah. 

Ask Him for help and rely upon Him with everything that you have and with Allah we can overcome every obstacle.

May Allah destroy the enemy of Palestine! 🇵🇸 make dua for Palestine and Sudan and other Muslims 

In the Name of Allaah the Most Merciful, the Most compassionate,

No one has the right to be arrogant and proud both are destructive.

Allah does not like the arrogant person:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'Allah Almighty said: Grandeur is My cloak and pride is My garment. Whoever competes with Me in one of these two, I will cast him into the Hellfire.'

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4090.

I used to understand why Allaah protected His house, but I did not understand why Allaah protected the Quraysh who were idolators and He punished Abraha who was a Christian (and his army). Abraha became arrogant, so much so that he challenged to make his Church more grand than Allah’s house. After his Church was defiled he was so enraged that he went to attack the house of Allaah so that he could sit with pride and think of himself better than others. The Quraysh, at the time we’re not arrogant. 

The story in Surah Al Fil has various lessons and themes, one of which is arrogance leads to oppression and oppression leads to destruction. No matter what our position, the amount of knowledge or wealth we possess we should never have arrogance and always respect those who tell us the truth and advise us to what is correct. We should not think ourselves ‘better than others’ to accept advice from others nor we should ever mock others. 

This reflection was inspired by listening to Sh Abu Bakr Az Zoud’s tafsir of Surah Al Fil. May Allaah bless our teachers and preserve them to spread Islam ameen. 

A note further - the more blessings we have the more humility we should have, whether that is knowledge, children, fame or wealth and so on. Allaah the Almighty, is the bestower of every blessing. Humility opens a path that causes sincerity in faith. May all of us strive towards a sincere and humble faith. Ameen ya rabb.

#donotbearrogant

@QR quality reflect Also, I have listened to the tafsir by Abu Bakr Az Zoud. I will also re-check if I have listened carefully, but I am pretty sure this is the note I took on the Surah. Please do message me if you find something that is incorrect and I am happy to correct my mistakes as they will allow me to learn from them 😊