The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 123
III - Makkah, the Ka ‘ bah & the Quraish 123 decided to attack Makkah with his forces to annihilate the Ka‘bah. Hence, he sought permission from Negus, the king of Abyssinia and proceeded with a very large army. The number of his army is recorded as 60,000 according to various narrations. In any case, his army was composed of thousands. He left Yemen, and defeated various Arabian tribes en-route, until he reached the close proximity of Makkah and set his armies in the outskirts of the city. When the Quraish were informed of this, they became quite distressed, as they knew that they did not possess the power to compete. Therefore, they sent ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib to Abrahah as a delegate. His respectable appearance and high intellect embossed a great impression upon Abrahah, who treated him with great esteem and instructed his interpretors to ask ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib what he desired. ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, who had perhaps planned this discourse beforehand said, “Your army has seized my camels, I wish for them to be returned to me”. Abrahah returned his camels to him, but his initial impression of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib’s dignity and intelligence began to fade, and he mocked him saying, “I have come here to destroy your Ka‘bah but you have exhibited no concern. You care only for your camels. ” ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, in a manner of inattention said, “I am the owner of these camels alone, thus, my concern is with them. However, there is also an owner of this house, Who shall himself protect it. ” When Abrahah heard this response he was immensely vexed and responded, “Alright, I shall see how the owner of this house stops me from it. ” Therefore, he advanced with his forces, but due to divine intervention, as soon as Abrahah’s elephant was turned in Makkah’s direction to march forward, it refused to move. Even after tremendous struggle it did not advance. After this his forces were struck by such a calamity as the entire army became the victual of birds. Narrations allude to the elaboration of this occurrence in the manner that when this army attempted to advance towards Makkah, in accordance with divine supremacy they were swarmed by a flock of birds, that carried fragments of poisonous dirt in their claws. Whomsoever these fragments fell upon would fall victim to a fatal and contagious disease similar to that of small-pox. When this disease was first contracted, it spread with immense rapidity. This occurrence should not spur shock, as contagious diseases, in many instances, spread through fragments of dirt or other means. Hence, it is quite possible that these birds had flown from a region that was infected by the bacteria of a contagious disease, and on account of this, a fatal disease similar to small-pox spread throughout the army. Therefore, with relevance to Abrahah, it is particularly mentioned that he contracted such a