# Surah Al-Fil (الفيل) | UK Prayer Times

> Surah Al-Fil: The Elephant. Surah al-Fil refers to the Year of the Elephant (approx. 570 CE) when Abraha al-Ashram led an Ethiopian army with war…

*Source: https://prayer-times.co.uk/surah/al-fil · Page updated: 2026-07-17 · Independent, free UK prayer times.*

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Surah 105 of 114

# Surah Al-Fil

Quick Answer

Surah Al-Fil (الفيل) is Surah 105 of the Quran — The Elephant, 5 verses, meccan. UK Prayer Times provides the Arabic text, transliteration and English translation for each verse.

Last updated 17 July 2026

الفيل

The Elephant · 5 verses · Meccan

Surah al-Fil refers to the Year of the Elephant (approx. 570 CE) when Abraha al-Ashram led an Ethiopian army with war elephants to destroy the Ka'bah in Makkah. Allah sent birds carrying stones of baked clay that destroyed the army — the same year the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born.

Virtues & Benefits

-   A reminder that Allah protects what He wills — the Ka'bah was defended without human army.
-   A historical sign proving the special status of the Sacred House.

When to read

-   Memorised as part of the short surahs.
-   Recited to remember Allah's protection of His sacred house.

## Verses (5)

1

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ

Alam tara kayfa fa'ala rabbuka bi-ashabi l-fil

Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?

2

أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ

Alam yaj'al kaydahum fi tadlil

Did He not make their plan go astray?

3

وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ

Wa arsala 'alayhim tayran ababila

And He sent against them birds in flocks,

4

تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ

Tarmihim bihijaratin min sijjil

Striking them with stones of hard clay,

5

فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ

Faja'alahum ka'asfin ma'kul

And He made them like eaten straw.

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