An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 5
5 seized some camels of Abdul Muttalib, a Chief of the Quresh. Abdul Muttalib sought an interview with Abraha. He asked him to return his camels. Abraha gave back the camels but said, “Abdul Muttalib, you seem to care more for your camels than for the Holy House!”. Abdul Muttalib replied: “I am the master of the camels only. There is a Master of the Holy House. He would take care of it. ” Abraha became incensed at this retort and said, “I will see how this master of the House stops me. ” He at once prepared to demolish the Holy House. But his elephant would not move. Abraha’s men died of plague or epidemic of smallpox and then the birds struck the pieces of the dead bodies with stones as birds do with large pieces of meat. The year is know n as “the Year of the Elephant”.