Holy Prophet of Islam - Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa — Page 176
176. The Holy Prophet of Islam, Hadrat Muḥammad Mustafa sa 'Abdul Muttalib said: "I am the owner of the camels, (therefore, I tried to save them), and this House has its own Owner. Who will surely protect it. " Abraha was stunned by this reply. He ordered the camels to be released, and the deputation of Quraish returned. . On the second day, Abraha issued orders to his army to enter. Mecca. 'Abdul Muttalib told the Meccans to leave the city and to seek refuge in the surrounding hills. But he, together with some leading members of the Quraish, remained within the precincts of the Ka'bah. Abraha sent someone to warn them to vacate the building. When the messenger came, he asked the people who their leader was. All fingers pointed towards 'Abdul Muttalib. He was again invited to go to Abraha where he had a talk with him. When he came out, he was heard saying: "The Owner of this House is its. Defender, and I am sure He will save it from the attack of the adversaries and will not dishonor the servants of His House. ". Then he, too, went to the summit of the hill, Abū Qubais. . Abraha advanced with his army. Seeing the walls of the Ka'bah, he ordered its demolition. No sooner had the army reached near the. Ka'bah when an army of Allāh appeared from the western side. A dark cloud of small birds (known in Arabic as Ababil) overshadowed the entire army of Abraha. The expedition proved an utter failure. Abraha's forces, which included elephants, were struck by a virulent epidemic that destroyed large numbers of them during their encampment in a valley a few miles outside Mecca. . The remainder of the group retired in confusion and terror. The event is the subject matter of a brief Chapter in the Holy Qur'ān: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحُبِ الْفِيْلِ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ