Understanding the Reading and Meaning of Surah Al-Fil, Also Learn about Its Asbabun Nuzul and Virtues

Kapanlagi.com - Memorizing short verses in the Quran is a requirement for every Muslim. This is because reading short verses is one of the pillars of prayer. Among the many short verses, Al Fiil is one that is often read during prayer. Not only should it be memorized and read during prayer, the meaning of the Al Fiil verse should also be understood by Muslims.

Like other verses in the Quran, each verse of Al Fiil also contains a deep meaning. In the Al Fiil verse, there is also a story about the greatness of Allah SWT who repelled King Abrahah and his elephant troops who attacked the Ka'bah.

READ ALSO:  Asbun Nuzul Surat An-Nasr, Ketahui Makna Dan Keistimewaannya

Aside from the story about the greatness of Allah SWT, there are still many lessons that can be learned from the content and meaning of the Al Fiil verse. To learn more, check out the following review that has been summarized by kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Reading and Meaning of Surah Al-Fil

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In Arabic, the meaning of Surah Al-Fil is elephant. This is in line with the story conveyed in this 5-verse surah, which is about the story of King Abrahah and his elephant troops attacking the Ka'bah. For a clearer understanding, here are the wording and meaning of the five verses of Surah Al-Fil.

(1) Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?

(2) Did He not make their plan into misguidance?

(3) And He sent against them birds in flocks,

(4) Striking them with stones of hard clay,

(5) And made them like eaten straw.

2. Reasons for Revelation of Surah Al-Fil

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Every verse in the Quran was not revealed without a purpose and intention. In fact, some verses and surahs are known to have Asbabun Nuzul or reasons for the revelation of that verse. The event that led to the revelation of Surah Al-Fil is the attack of King Abrahah with his elephant troops on the Ka'bah.

The event occurred just before the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The purpose of King Abrahah's attack on the Ka'bah was to call on the Arab people to change their qiblah. They wanted to change their direction of prayer from the Ka'bah to the Cathedral in Sana'a. So that later, the Arab community would no longer come to the Ka'bah but to Sana'a to worship, including in performing Hajj.

In addition, the attack on the Ka'bah is also suspected of having an economic motive where Abrahah had the ambition to cut off the participation and influence of the Quraysh people in the field of trade. Because at that time, the Quraysh played a major role in trade between Yemen and Syria.

In essence, the desire to destroy the Ka'bah began with King Abrahah's resentment towards the Arab people. Because with the existence of the Ka'bah in Mecca, many people flocked to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage. Thus, the economic circulation centered in Mecca.

3. The Virtues of Surah Al-Fil

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As previously explained, the meaning of the Surah Al-Fil is not only about a story or a past event. Within it, Muslims can learn valuable lessons about how to glorify the greatness of Allah SWT. Therefore, like other Surahs in the Quran, the meaning of Surah Al-Fil also has a number of virtues for anyone who reads it.

As reported by dream.co.id, some of the virtues of Surah Al-Fil are as follows:

1) Recitation to achieve victory

If Surah Al-Fil is recited during a battle, it is believed that the enemy will run away on their own due to the overwhelming feeling of fear. Especially if Surah Al-Fil is recited directly by the leader who leads the battle troops.

2) Protection against oppressors

The recitation and meaning of Surah Al-Fil are also believed to be a protection that protects a house from the reach of oppressors.

3) Practice to fight against enemy disturbance

Surah Al-Fil can be used to shield oneself from enemy threats, including in situations of war or enemies in the sense of oppressors. If someone is threatened by an enemy, it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Fil, God willing, Allah SWT will eliminate fear and protect from enemy attacks.

4) Practice to stay safe from danger

The recitation and meaning of Surah Al-Fil are also highly recommended to be recited during the second cycle of the Fajr prayer, after reciting Surah Al-Insyirah in the first cycle. This is said to bring many benefits.

4. Benefits of Reading Surah Al-Fil

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The benefits of reading Surah Al-Fil. As is known, Surah Al-Fil means elephant. The story behind the descent of Surah Al-Fil is about the elephant troops led by Abrahah attacking the Kaaba. The attack was carried out to destroy the Kaaba as the main qibla for Muslims.

Now, there are many benefits that we can take from Surah Al-Fil or the Elephant. To know what benefits are obtained from reading Surah Al-Fil, just check out the following important review. Let's check the benefits of reading and practicing Surah Al-Fil, which is very profound for Muslims, as reported by abusyuja.com.

1. Surah Al-Fil was given to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as the last prophet and messenger. Therefore, this surah that means Elephant is included in the type of Al-Mufashshal surah.

2. Reading and practicing Surah Al-Fil will get a special privilege in heaven. The privilege is to be resurrected on the Day of Judgment with a vehicle from heaven and sit on a seat made of light. This is in accordance with the hadith referring to Tsawabul A'mal: 165 which reads,

Abi Abdullah said, "Whoever recites Surah Al-Fil the most, then Allah will resurrect him on the Day of Judgment on a vehicle from the vehicles of heaven, until he sits on his seat made of light on the Day of Judgment."

3. Obtaining rewards like a person who circumambulates the Kaaba and performs i'tikaf in Masjidil Haram. This is in accordance with the hadith referring to Tafsirul Burhan, Juz 8: 392 which reads,

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Whoever reads this Surah (Surah Al-Fil), then Allah will give him the grace of rewards like a person who circumambulates the Kaaba (tawaf) and performs i'tikaf in Masjidil-Haram. And if it is recited over food that is feared, then it can become a medicine in it, while the person who eats it will not be harmed forever."

That is the explanation of the benefits of reading and practicing Surah Al-Fil. Therefore, the letter that has the meaning of Elephant is included in the type of Al Mufashshal letter.

2. Reading and practicing the Al Fil letter will get a privilege in heaven. The privilege is to be raised on the Day of Judgment by getting a vehicle from heaven and sitting on a seat made of light. This is in accordance with the tradition referring to Tsawabul A'mal: 165 which reads,

Abi Abdullah said, "Whoever reads the most Al-Fil letter, Allah will raise him on the Day of Judgment on a vehicle from the vehicles of heaven, until he sits on his seat made of light on the Day of Judgment."

3. Getting rewards like those who circumambulate the Ka'bah and perform itikaf in Masjidil Haram. This is in accordance with the tradition referring to Tafsirul Burhan, Juz 8: 392 which reads,

The Prophet Muhammad said, "Whoever reads this letter (Al-Fil), Allah gives the grace of rewards like those who circumambulate the Ka'bah (tawaf) and perform itikaf in Masjidil-Haram. And if it is recited on feared food, then it can become medicine in it, while the person who eats it will not be hurt forever."

That is the explanation of the benefits of reading and practicing the Al Fil letter. So that it can make it easier for you to understand the meaning and uniqueness of the Al Fil letter.

5. Amazing Facts About Surah Al-Fil

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To remind you of the previous topic about Surah Al-Fil, which means 'The Elephant', here is a summary of amazing facts about Surah Al-Fil. Among the amazing facts about Surah Al-Fil, it can help you understand the contents of Surah Al-Fil as well as its uniqueness.

- Surah Al-Fil was revealed in relation to the attack on the Kaaba by the army of elephants led by Abrahah.

- During the attack, Allah sent a group of birds called Ababil to fight against Abrahah's army to protect the Kaaba.

- This event marked the naming of the Year of the Elephant, which occurred in 570 CE.

- The event happened when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was just born, which is why the year of his birth is also known as the Year of the Elephant.

- Surah Al-Fil can be practiced in daily life, for example, after the Fajr prayer. There are many virtues that can be obtained, such as protection from evil and wrongdoing.

Those are some explanations about the meaning of Surah Al-Fil along with its virtues. Hopefully, it can be useful and increase our faith as Muslims, ameen.

(kpl/gen/psp)