Have you ever wondered about the lessons you can teach your kids from Surah Al-Fil? You are in the right place.
In Quraan, there are many surahs that you can start with to help your child memorize faster. Nothing is better than a story to make a kid interested. Kids love stories. They remember them even when they grow up. It’s like planting seeds that will forever grow in them, so why not make it a planet with good roots and lessons?
Surah Al-Fil is a short but powerful Quran chapter. It’s simple, yet it has amazing historical lessons. This surah is especially interesting for kids because it tells a story that’s easy to understand and remember. As a parent, you’ll find it a wonderful way to introduce your kids to the rich stories of the Quran. Today, we’ll dive into the story behind Surah Al-Fil. We will see what message Allah gave us in this surah and what lessons we can learn from it. Furthermore, we will dive into the benefits of reciting Surah Fil for kids. Let’s get started
What’s the Story Behind Surah Al-Fil?
Surah Al-Fil, also known as the Chapter of the Elephant, derives its name from the Arabic word ‘Al-Feel,’ meaning ‘elephant.’ The surah talks about a historic event around 571 A.C. Arab called it ‘The Year of Al-Fil (The Elephant)’.
The Surah goes as follows:
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ ١أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِى تَضْلِيلٍۢ ٢ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ٣ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍۢ مِّن سِجِّيلٍۢ ٤ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍۢ مَّأْكُولٍۭ ٥
Have you not seen [O Prophet] how your Lord dealt with the army of the Elephant? Did he not frustrate their scheme? For he sent against them flocks of birds. that pelted them with stones of baked clay, leaving them like chewed-up straw
How to say it in Arabic:
Alam tara kaifa fa’ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel. Alam yaj’al kaidahum fee tadleel. Wa arsala ‘alaihim tairan abaabeelm. Tarmeehim bihijaaratim min sijjeel. Faja ‘alahum ka’asfim m’akool
Now let’s talk about this event.
The story is about the ruler of Yemen on behalf of the king of Ethiopia; his name was “Abraha.”. He wanted to destroy the Kabba (the house of Allah), Bayt Allah Al-Haram. You might wonder: how did he plan to do so? Well, he gathered a huge army with some big elephants and marched towards Mecca to do so. But why was this such a big deal?
Why is the Kaaba Important?
The Kaaba is the most sacred site in Islam. It’s located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) built it as a house to worship Allah. People from all over would come to Mecca to visit the Kaaba. It was a very important place even before the time of Prophet Muhammad. Today, Muslims around the world face it when they pray; it’s our Qebla. They also visit it to perform haj (pilgrimage). So why did Abraha want to destroy it?
Although this was not mentioned directly in Surah al-Fil, the story goes that Abraha wanted to shift this attention away from the Kaaba. Abraha built a luxurious cathedral in Sanaa (the capital of Yemen). He wanted Arabs to perform the pilgrimage there. Thus, he ordered in his kingdom that no one should ever visit the Kaaba in Mecca. He also ordered that, from now on, the pilgrimage should take place to his so-called ‘Ka’bah’ in Yemen. So why did he use elephants in his army?
The Role of the Elephants
One of the very interesting parts of Surah Fil for Kids is the elephants in Abraha’s army. He used elephants because they were big, strong, and could easily scare or even trample over enemies. He wanted to tie ropes around the Kaaba and make the elephants pull to tear it down.
However, with all his might and all the huge elephants, he didn’t achieve what he wanted! On the contrary, he suffered a great defeat that is still mentioned until today in Surah Fil. According to the story, when the elephants reached the boundary of the Kaaba, they refused to move forward, No matter the effort their drivers made. They walked in all directions, but when facing the Kabaa, they kneeled and sat down, refusing to move. This shows that even animals recognize the sanctity of the Kaaba.
So what happened next?
The flock of birds in Surah Fil for kids
Here comes the most interesting and exciting part of it all. Allah sent flocks of small birds, each carrying tiny pebbles made of baked clay in their claws and beaks. The pebbles were so strong that when it fell on anything, it tore it to the flesh. These birds dropped the stones on Abraha’s army, completely defeating them.
فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ (And thus He turned them into eaten-up chaff.) The word asf means ‘chaff, straw, husk, or bran’. Usually, the asf is scattered when it is eaten by animals. This is what happened to Abrahah and his army. The huge, scary elephants turned into eaten hay by stones thrown by small creatures like birds
We, as adults, might instantly recognize the messages and lessons from such a simple story. That may not be the case with our kids. Let’s take a look at the message in Surah Fil to understand it better and explain it to our little ones.
What was the message in Surah E Fil given by Allah?
Surah Al-Fil is the 19th Surah according to the order of revelation. In Mushaf (Quranic book), it is one of the short surahs of the 30th Juz’.
The message of Surah Al-Fil is simple but powerful: Allah’s protection is unbeatable. No matter how strong someone or even a creature might seem, they can’t win against Allah’s will. This surah reminds us that Allah is always in control. He can protect us in ways we might not even imagine. That’s a very important message to explain to your kids when reciting surah Al-Fil
Surah Al-Fil also gives us a strong message: being arrogant is never the right path and will lead to failure. Anyone who thinks they are above Allah or even close to his power is mistaken and delusional. And for this, he will suffer great consequences.
So what are the lessons we can learn from Surah Al-Fil? Keep reading!
What Are the Lessons Learned from Surah Al-Fil?
Surah Al-Fil teaches us some really important lessons:
Lessons from Surah Al-Fil for Kids: Trust in Allah
As we mentioned above, even when things seem scary or impossible, Allah can protect us if we trust Him. This encourages kids to have faith and believe in Allah’s plans.
When this army reached Mecca, the Chief of Mecca (Abd Al Muttalib Ibn Hashim, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) Negotiated with Abraha. Interestingly, he didn’t ask him to stop his plans to destroy the Kabaa. He asked him to give him back the camels his soldiers captured on their way to Mecca. Abraha was confused. However, Abdul-Muttalib said, “I am the owner of my camels and am concerned about them. I am not the owner of Allah’s house. The Master of the House knows how best to protect His House.”
Simply and most sincerely, without even knowing anything that was going to happen, he trusted Allah would protect his sacred house! He took his camels and went back. He ordered his people to evacuate the city and seek shelter at the top of the mountains.
Although people were scared of elephants, they had trust in Allah. No one can protect us better than him. Just as He protected the Kaaba when people were defenseless back then, he will protect us. As long as we believe this, there is nothing we should be scared of. Allah said in the Quran:
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍۢ كَفُورٍ ٣٨
“Indeed, Allah defends those who believe.” Surah Al-Hajj, 38
Lessons from Surah Al-Fil for Kids: Divine Justice
Abraha’s arrogance knew no bounds—he said that Allah SWT could not protect his house against him. For this, Abraha’s army faced the consequences of their arrogance and wrongdoing.
Stories also say that he didn’t die in the battle. Instead, Allah afflicted him with a deadly poison that spread through his entire body. This caused every part of him to decay and separate from his body, one after another, until he eventually died.
It’s a lesson that teaches us to be humble, no matter how powerful we feel. Because Arrogance, or thinking that we are better than others, can lead to our downfall. Allah’s justice is always fair, and He will punish those who misuse their power severely!
Lessons from Surah Al-Fil for Kids: The Importance of the Kaaba
Surah Al-Fil helps kids understand why the Kaaba is such an important place for Muslims. Imagine Allah Almighty himself protecting the Kaaba! The Kaaba is not just a building; it’s a symbol of faith for Muslims worldwide. Allah said in the Quran:
“That is so. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart.”
ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى ٱلْقُلُوبِ ٣٢
Surah Al-Hajj – 32
Lessons from Surah Al-Fil for Kids: The Power of Allah
The way Allah protected the Kaaba shows us His incredible power. A little creature flying with a little weapon (a stone) destroyed a big animal, such as an elephant. Why? Because Allah, the Most Powerful and the Omnipotent, ordered this to happen. It’s proof of how limitless his power is. No one can stand in front of the will or power of Allah, no matter his strength or power. When Explaining this to your kids, let them know that no matter how big a problem seems, Allah is always greater.
Teach your Kids to apply these lessons in their daily lives. For example, if they are ever in a situation where they feel scared or alone, they should always remember that Allah is always there to protect them. Make sure they know that being kind and humble is the right thing to do. Let’s delve into the benefits of reciting this surah with its powerful lessons.
The Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Fil
There are many benefits of reciting and reading surah al-fil every day. When we recite this surah, we are reminded of the story and the lessons it teaches us. It helps us think about Allah’s power and His ability to protect us. We remember that Allah is always with us, no matter what challenges we face.
What’s more, Surah Al-Fil is short and easy to memorize. It’s only five verses, making it a great surah for kids to start with. Memorizing and reciting it can help kids build a habit of regular Quranic recitation.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Fil is one of the most simple yet powerful surahs in the Quran. It offers valuable lessons for us and our kids alike. By understanding the story, message, and lessons of Surah Al-Fil, children can feel safe and more trusting in Allah’s protection. Just like Allah protected the Kaaba from harm, He can protect you too. If you are looking for more activities and games for your kids to learn about Islam and Islamic stories, you can subscribe to Islamic Galaxy. You can also check our blog for more insights
