Are Muslims Waiting For Miracles?

By Editor on 10th April 2025 • ( 0 )

Are Muslims Waiting For Miracles?

I was astonished to read a Facebook message appealing to recite Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant) a million times to avert the catastrophe in Gaza/Palestine. This appeal suggests that reciting this Surah will serve as a spiritual force to defeat and destroy Israel, protect the people of Gaza from Israeli occupational forces, and end atrocities against defenceless civilians.

The spirit of the appeal is noble, spiritual, and humane, but is it practical and feasible? Are we asking God to intervene and send angels to fight for us? What is Surah Al-Fil, and what is the background of this miraculous event?

Surah Al-Fil is the 105th chapter of the Holy Quran. It says,

“Have you not considered how Allah dealt with the matter of the Elephant? Did He not foil their stratagem and send against them flocks of swallows, which pelted them with clay stones, so that they became like plants cropped by cattle?”

This Surah alludes to the expedition of Abraha, the King of Abyssinia, against Makkah to demolish the Kaaba (House of God). It took place in 570, the year Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born. Abraha came to Makkah with an Abyssinian army, including elephants, attempting to destroy the Kaaba.

According to historical accounts, Abraha’s men captured some camels belonging to Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and custodian of the Kaaba. Abdul Muttalib went to Abraha and demanded the release of his camels. Abraha was surprised by his demand, wondering why he didn’t mention the Kaaba. Abdul Muttalib replied,

“The Kaaba is the House of God; He will take care of it. The camels are mine, and I want them back.”

Of course, a miracle occurred. Swallows carrying stones in their beaks appeared in the sky, pelting the elephants of Abraha and turning them into devoured leaves of farms. While this miracle did happen, does it mean we should forsake the path of crusade against oppressors and beseech for divine intervention?

Didn’t Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) face the challenge of the pagans of Makkah with practical steps and wage defensive wars? Did he ask his companions to recite Surah Al-Fil or other verses of the Quran to defend themselves and defeat their enemies? What are we up to?

There is an Arabic saying, “الحديد یقطع الحديد” (Iron cuts the iron). Have the Arabs forgotten this adage and the verses of the Quran about “Jihad”? Jihad is a defensive war against attackers and oppressors, not an offensive war. Muslims are emphatically ordained to fight aggressors.

In Surah Al-Tawba (The Repentance), verses 92, 93, and 94, the matter of Jihad is described. There are three categories of people: those who wholeheartedly participate in Jihad, considering it a religious duty; those who want to join but lack resources; and hypocrites who shirk from fighting and concoct excuses.

The Quran praises the first two categories and condemns the third. Now, let us decide which category we belong to. Are we ready to take action against the fascist regime of Israel and weed out its aggression, or should we keep reciting Surah Al-Fil and wait for a miracle?

There are 57 Muslim countries with resources, armies, and modern technology, but they are not united. They are under the influence of world imperialists. Muslim rulers are slaves to the West, caring only for themselves and trying to save their skin and thrones. However, the poisonous dragon is marching towards them with gaped jaws to swallow them. Are we like a pigeon who closes his eyes when he sees a cat, thinks that he will be safe from the grip of cat and is devoured by the cat? Such pigeons are easy prey to cats.