man is most surely inordinate, Because he sees himself free from want.

man is most surely inordinate, Because he sees himself free from want." (96: 6-7) Ka'aba Against The Might of Elephants During the sixth century around 570 A.D., before the advent of Islam, the part of Arabia known as Yemen was under the rule of the Abyssinian Christians who had driven away the Jewish Himyar rulers. The Abyssinian viceroy in Yemen was Abraha Ashram.

He was determined to build great church in San'aa, present capital of Yemen, so as to make it a leading centre of commerce and place of pilgrimage for the Christian world. He was convinced that this dream could only be realized if he could first destroy Mecca which was then a huge centre of commerce and pilgrimage. Intoxicated with power and fired by religious fanaticism, Abraha finally made his vicious plans.

Accompanied by a big herd of elephants and other animals, he led an expedition and marched to destroy the Holy Ka'aba in Mecca. The Arabs in those days hardly had any opportunity to see an elephant in their lives. Hence the army of Abraha is described in history as 'ASHABUL FEEL' i.e. the army with elephants. Abraha camped his army on the outskirts of Mecca preparing to attack and destroy the holy Ka'aba.

During the course of preparation, his army stole some 700 camels belonging to Abdul Muttalib - the grandfather of the Holy (S.A.W) The camels were grazing in the open fields outside the city. Abraha sent a message to Abdul Muttalib who was the supreme chief of Mecca, informing him his intention of destroying the Holy Ka'aba. Abdul Muttalib replied that he would meet Abraha in person and talk to him.

When he approached the invading army's camp, he was received respectfully and given an honourable seat near Abraha. As the two men talked, Abdul Muttalib said that he had come to complain about Abraha's army stealing his camels. Abraha answered, "I have come to conquer Mecca, your place of worship, and you worry about your camels?" Abdul Muttalib repiied, "I am the owner and responsible for the camels so I have come for them.

The Ka'aba belongs to God and it is the concern of the owner of that house whether to save it or not." Abraha, amazed by the reply, returned Abdul. Muttalib's camels to him but was determined to attack the city. Abdul Muttalib advised his people to move into the hills for safety. As Abraha entered the city a huge flock of tiny birds, like a patch of cloud appeared in the sky. Each bird had a small pebble in its tiny beak and dropped it on the invading soldiers.