The Elephant

March 30, 2009, 8:53 am by dc-agape.

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Surāh 105: Al-Fīl: The Elephant

This surāh links the one before it and the one after it.  It does this by comparison of the “crushing disaster” promised in surāh 104: The Slanderer to the people that attack those under Allah’s protection, as in surāh 106: The Quraish.  The “crushing disaster” occurs when a Christian leader from Abyssinia attacks the protectors of the Ka’bah.  At the moment of the Quraish defeat the Abyssinia army is overcome by a pestilence (most likely small pox).  The history of Abraha the Aksum (the Christian leader) is definitely the stuff of legends (the link is from absoluteastromony.com).  But it is no wonder that he is not a Christian legend.  If the end of his life is accurate, his early career is eclipsed by his attack of Arabia for financial reasons (instead of religious ones).  Even though there is some doubt as to when this man died there is less doubt that the Aksum nation (New World Encyclopedia) did begin to lose power by the start of Islam.

What the Qur’an teaches of these events is that while completely unable to defend against a powerful army Allah still protected the arrogant idol worshipping Quraish.  What all the commentaries make clear is that when Allah’s plans are interfered with the supernatural being will act.  Unfortunately, with that in mind…the turmoil in Islamic communities today is perfectly within Allah’s plans.  Just look at the Islamic “rebels” in Thailand and Palestine, their suffering is acceptable to Allah.  Similarly the suffering of the Kurds and Shia under the Ba’ath political party in Iraq, that too was completely acceptable to Allah.

To an Atheist, it is obvious that both Allah and YHWH are the same supernatural being.  Both make more promises than they can keep.  Yet even then, people flock to praise both.  Looking at religion from the outside is turning out to be quite an experience.  Looking at the link between what is written in the Holy Texts and what is recorded in history does not help strengthen the Holy Texts.  I am starting to see that the Gnosis Christian of the 1^st century CE might have been right.  But that is for a post made on the weekend.

As for this particular surāh, taken in context, it clearly reminds the adherents of Muslim faith that Allah’s protection is available when needed.  This surāh also does link the two chapters before and after it.  The commentaries seem to document the events quite well.  But in doing so, allows the reader to see how history can be re-written in favor of religion.

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