Surah Al-Fil (سُورَةُ الفِيلِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Al-Fil — the 105th chapter of the Quran with 5 verses. The Elephant. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Al-Fil (سُورَةُ الفِيلِ) — "The Elephant" is the 105th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 5 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ
ART THOU NOT aware of how thy Sustainer dealt with the Army of the Elephant?
Verse 2
أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِى تَضْلِيلٍۢ
Did He not utterly confound their artful planning?
Verse 3
وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
Thus, He let loose upon them great swarms of flying creatures
Verse 4
تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍۢ مِّن سِجِّيلٍۢ
which smote them with stone-hard blows of chastisement pre-ordained,
Verse 5
فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍۢ مَّأْكُولٍۭ
and caused them to become like a field of grain that has been eaten down to stubble
Key Themes
The surah of Al-Fil (The Elephant) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.
Virtues of Reading This Surah
Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari
Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Al-Fil as part of your daily Quran reading.
How to Recite
- Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
- Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
- Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
- Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
- Reflect on the meaning as you recite
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was Surah Al-Fil revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Fil have? It contains 5 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "The Elephant" mean? The name "Al-Fil" translates to "The Elephant" in English.