HAVE YOU THEN NO SENSE? MUST READ:

Recently I felt it necessary and my duty to write this post in order to aware many others. There are many pics going around the net either photoshopped or with the wrong stories. Don't believe every such thing except the authenticated ones.
It's not that I totally deny all such 'miraculous type' pics, there might be few real ones also but most of them are fake with poor quality, rough pixels & low resolution. Why is it that only such type of photos are of poor quality image with low resolution? Why not HD? So that you cannot figure out their mistakes in editing. 

Two years ago I noticed 'Allah' written on my heater, I was really amazed as I myself was a witness. I then took the pic and posted on Inspiring Stories. There are many such real pics which people take themselves and they aren't fake & viral on net. 

I remember 5 or 6 years back I saw many pics on net on which 'Allah' was written, I was really impressed. One particular image was 'Allah written on a cow' (the one above) then later on I discovered another one with the world map on it, I was again impressed. But the third time I found one with 'Om' written on it in Hindi. grin emoticon 
What would you say about all that? How realistic does all those photos look! 

Now as Im also aware of the many features of Photoshop very well so most of the time it becomes easy for me to differentiate but sometimes it's hard to tell, then I Google the pic to check the authenticity or to find the real story behind it. It's sad how people took photo editing as a joke to make everyone fool around. 

Not only the fake photos are viral but most of the time unauthenticated stories are also going viral around the net getting everyone's praises and amazements. Like the one of the rock above. The most viral story is as follows: 
"[A miracle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): When Holy Prophet (PBUH) reached Masjid-ul-Aqsa in the night in Jerusalem from Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) the big stone also went up in the air besides Burraq when the Prophet resumed its journey. Looking at this, the Prophet ordered the floating stone to stay there which is hanging till that time in the air.]"

When first time I saw I was also shocked, Wow this is really the miracle of ALLAH SWT but then my mind warned me not to believe, this can be a hoax because people were not having any proof. The story has no authentic reference from the Islamic sources like hadiths or the reports of Sahaba (R.A). Many Muslims believe the story of the picture to be true and eagerly said: ‘Allahu Akbar!’ or ‘this is the miracle of Allah’. 

I'm not stopping people from Praising Allah, the Quran confirms that the expression of appreciation and gratitude to God is indeed an act of Worship:
"...and give thanks for God's blessings if you do worship Him" [Holy Quran 16:114]

Believe me I find the real pic of the rock in fact even more realistic and surprising. Just notice how beautifully Allah has made that heavy rock stand on the weak support! Isn't that amazing? Subhan Allah!

There are infinite real signs of Allah SWT to be thankful for, to Praise & Glorify Him for...!
"If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them, the human being is indeed transgressing, unappreciative" [Holy Quran 14:34] 

There's a photo of waterfall on the top left that went viral. The one in the middle is the photo that I've Photoshopped for you people. Do I have to make you fool to make you understand?
Why don't you see that even the beauty of simple waterfall is enough reason to Praise Allah. Even the soothing color of trees, softness of clouds, depth of sea, balance of the sky, brightness of the stars are a few of the MANY SIGNS to Glorify Allah, yet you need the help of unauthenticated stories & photos? Take a whole universe, nature, the Holy Quran, the Messenger of Allah PBUH, your brain, your intelligence as enough reason to Praise the Signs of Allah SWT.

"Have you not seen how God makes the clouds move gently..." [Holy Quran 24:43]
" … and the sky He raised and set the balance" [55:7]
"(I swear) By the sky, holding mansions of the stars" [85:1]
"And it is He who placed for you the stars that you may be guided by them through the darkness of the land and sea. We have detailed the signs for a people who know." [6:97]
"He Who has made for you out of the green trees fire; then, from it you do kindle." [36:80]
"…. and We have sent down iron, in it is great strength" [57:25]
There are many many Signs of Allah (SWT) why then you need the help of fabricated stories!?
"Now We have revealed unto you a Scripture wherein is your Reminder. Have you then no sense?" [Holy Quran 21:10]
"Thus do We explain the signs in detail! Perhaps they may turn (unto Us)". [Holy Quran 7:174] 
"And He shows you always His Signs; then which of the Signs of Allah will you deny?" [Holy Quran 40:81]

And what's the matter with some people when they use such phrases "need 500 comments to say Subhan Allah", "need 10000 likes for the sake for Allah", "like if you love Allah, ignore if you don't"?? REALLY? Would you rather judge my faith now with the help of my likes and comments? 
HAVE YOU THEN REALLY NO SENSE?

Sad thing is that these kind of manipulating photos/stories have thousands of likes & shares! According to a famous Bukhari hadith "Actions are judged by intentions...", Although my fellows like n share such things because they find it unique and surprising and their intentions are merely 'Praising & Glorifying Allah' but be careful and be sure of what you spread because it is a sensitive matter while Islam talks about truth & facts. Do research before believing and spreading such things.

Non believers make fun of us when they find the fabricated photos or stories and they start to say like "Fake Miracle Exposed". How sad is that!
I have also seen a few pages where they post like "Miracles by Allah which proven Islam is the true religion of life".
We don't need the help of any fake miracles to prove the Power of Allah SWT or to prove our religion is correct while we are already blessed with the most beautiful gift on earth, the Holy Qur'an - the living Miracle! The Qur'an is a Book beyond the thoughts and mind of a mortal being. None has been able to bring one similar to it nor will be able to. It is a great heavenly miracle. (Allahu Akbar)

"We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (Quran) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?" [Holy Quran 41:53]

"Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator. Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, 'Be!' and it is! So Glorified is He in whose hand is the Kingdom of all things, and to Him you will be returned." [Holy Quran 36: 81-83]

My only wish is to present pure and beautiful message of the Quran and hadith of our Prophet PBUH, to always strive to present accurate and authenticated information, without distorting or corruption. Testing and questioning for sources, using our reason and logic is definitely a part of understanding true Islam and what it offers.
"And do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those will be questioned." [Holy Quran 17:36]

If in this post I sound offensive to anyone then I apologize but do think about it!
The Holy Prophet PBUH has said: "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi) 

Kurt Vonnegut, the author of 'Breakfast of Champions' has put in words “So, in the interests of survival, they trained themselves to be agreeing machines instead of thinking machines. All their minds had to do was to discover what other people were thinking, and then they thought that, too.”

In the end I would NOT say 'share if you love Allah' etc... But share if you please, share to aware others, share to spread the word!
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Meri Likhi Hui Baat Har Koi Samajh Nahi Pata, 
Kyunki Main Ehsas Likhta Hun aur Log Alfaz Parhtey Hain;
Na Samajh aye to Emaan ko bhi Judge Kar Letey hain!

SIGNIFICANCE OF ATTEDING FRIDAY PRAYER EARLY

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). 

The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.
And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah , and remember Allah often that you may succeed.
(Qur'an, 62: 9-10)

The bigger you want your reward to be, the more you gotta work for it. Eggs don’t weigh much, you know. And what do you think about those who reach the masjid after the Imaam comes out? Even angels leave their jobs at that time to listen to the khutbah!

By Inspiring Stories

ALLAH REPLYS WHEN WE RECITE SURAH FATIHA

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said:

"A prayer performed by someone who has not recited the Essence of the Qur'an (Surah Fatiha) during it is deficient (and he repeated the word three times), incomplete."

Someone asked Abu Hurayrah: [Even though] we are behind the imam? (listening to him reciting al-Fatihah)
He said: Recite it to yourself, for I have heard the Prophet ( صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) say:

"Allah (mighty and sublime be He), had said: 'I have divided prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.

When the servant says: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
"Praise be to ALLAH, Lord of the Worlds.",
Allah Ta'ala says:
'My servant has praised Me.'

And when he says: الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
"The Merciful, the Compassionate."
Allah Ta'ala says: 'My servant has adorned Me,'

and when he says: مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
"Master of the Day of Judgement."
Allah says: 'My servant has glorified Me' - and on one occasion He said: 'My servant has submitted to My power.'

And when he says: إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
"It is You we worship and it is You we ask for help."
He (Allah) says: 'This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.'

And when he says: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
"Guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favors, not of those against whom You are angry, nor of those who are astray."

He (Allah Ta'ala) says: 'This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.'"
[Muslim (also by Malik, at-Tirmidhi, Abu-Dawud, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)]

Listen the beautiful racitation of Surah Al-Fatiha by Saad Al-Quraishi from here.
By Inspiring Stories

HERACLIUS (THE ROMAN EMPEROR) ENQUIRED ABOUT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (PBUH)

Abdullah bin Abbas (ra) narrated: 
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had treaty with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them,
"Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group)."

Heraclius said, "Bring him close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet (pbuh). The first question he asked me about him was:

'What is his family status amongst you?'
I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.'

Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?'
I replied, 'No.'

He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?'
I replied, 'No.'

Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?'
I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.'

He said, 'Are his followers increasing or decreasing (day by day)?'
I replied, 'They are increasing.'

He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and refused the religion afterwards?'
I replied, 'No.'

Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?'
I replied, 'No. '

Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?'
I replied, 'No. We are at treaty with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that.

Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?'
I replied, 'Yes.'

Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?'
I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.'

Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?'
I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.'

Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples.

I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing; your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the positive, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement.

Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the positive, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom.

I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah.

I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Prophets have been followed by this very class of people.

Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects.

I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely.

I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Prophets never betray.

Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.'

Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows:

"In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah's Statement:)

'O people of the scripture (i.e Jews & Christians)! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64).

Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet pbuh) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)."

[Sahih Bukhari - Volume 1, Book 1, Number 6]

By Inspiring Stories

"THE BOY AND THE KING & PEOPLE OF THE TRENCH (ASHAB-UL-UKHDUD)”

Suhayb ibn Sinan, reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) told:

“There lived a king (Yusuf Dhu Nuwas ) before you (in Yemen and he lived about 70 years before the birth of Messenger of Allah PBUH) and he had a magician. 
As the magician grew old, he said to the king:
"I have become old and my time is nearly over, so send me a boy whom I can teach magic.''

So, he sent him a boy (Abdullah Ibn Tamir) and the magician taught him a magic. On his way (to the magician) the young man found a monk sitting there and listened to his talk and was impressed by it. It became his habit that on his way to the magician he met the monk set there so he was late in coming to the magician who beat him because of the delay.

The young boy made a complaint about it to the monk so the monk said,
“When you feel afraid of the magician, say, ‘My people kept me busy.’
And when you feel afraid of your family say to them: “The magician kept me busy.”

It once happened that there came a huge beast (of prey) and it blocked the way of the people. The young boy said,
“I shall find out today whether the magician or the monk is correct (in believe).”
He picked up a stone and said,
“O Allah, if the teaching of the monk are dearer to You than the teaching of the magician, bring death to this animal so that the people will be able to move about freely.”
He threw that stone towards it and killed it and the people began to move about (on the path freely).

The young man then came to that monk and informed him. The monk said,
“My son, today you are superior to me. Your affairs have reached a stage where I find that you will soon be put to the test, and in that case don't reveal my identity.”

The young man began to treat the blind and those suffering from leprosy and began to cure people of (all kinds) of illness. There was a courtier of the king who had become blind and he heard about the boy. He came and brought a number of gifts for the boy and said,
“If you cure me, all these things collected together here will be yours.”
He said, ”I myself do not cure anyone; it is Allah Who cures. If you affirm faith in Allah, I shall also supplicate Allah to cure you.”

He affirmed his faith in Allah and Allah cured him. He came to the king and sat by his side as he used to sit before. The king said to him, “Who restored your eyesight?” He said, “My Lord.” The king then asked, "I did?'' The courtier said, "No, my Lord and your Lord - Allah''

The king said, "Do you have another Lord beside me'' He said, "Yes, your Lord and my Lord is Allah.'' Whereupon the king took hold of him and tortured him until he revealed the identity of boy.

The young man was thus summoned and the king said to him, “O boy, it has been conveyed to me that you have become so talented in your magic that you cure the blind and those suffering from leprosy and you do such-and-such things.”
Thereupon he said, “I do not cure anyone; it is Allah Who cures.”

The king took hold of him and began to torture him. So he revealed the identity of the monk. The monk was thus summoned and it was said to him, “Turn back from your religion.” He, however, refused to do so.
King (ordered) a saw to be brought and it was placed in the middle of his head and it fell apart. Then the courtier of the king was brought and it was said to him, “Turn back from your religion but he refused to do so.” Then the same was done with him as well.”

Then the young boy was brought and it was said to him, “Turn back from your religion.” He refused to do so and he was handed over to a group of his courtier. He said to them, “Take him to such and such mountain; make him climb that mountain and when you reach its top (ask him to give up his faith) but if he refuses to do so, throw him down the mountain.”

So they took him and made him climb the mountain. The boy prayed,
“O Allah, save me from them (in any way) You will.” The mountain began to quake and they all fell down, the boy came walking back to the king. The king said to him, “What has happened to your companions?” He said, “Allah has saved me from them.”

He again handed him to some of his courtiers and said, “Take him and carry him away in a small boat and when you reach the middle of the ocean ask him to give up his religion, but if he does not give up his religion throw him (into the water).' So they took him and the boy prayed,
“O Allah, save me from them and what they want to do.” It was not long before the boat overturned and they were drowned but he came walking back to the king.

The king said to him, '”What has happened to your companions?” He said, “Allah has saved me from them.” He also said to the king, “You cannot kill me until I tell you how to do.”

He asked, “What is that?” The boy said, “You should gather people on a plain and hang me by the trunk (of a tree). Then take an arrow from the quiver and say, “In the name of Allah, the Lord of the worlds;” then shoot an arrow. If you do that, you would be able to kill me.'

So he did this and placing an arrow in the bow, he shot it, saying, (bismillahi Rabbi) “In the name of Allah, the Lord of the young boy;” The arrow hit the boy in the temple, and the boy placed his hand over the arrow wound and died.

The people proclaimed, “We affirm our faith in the Lord of this young man”

The courtiers came to the king and it was said to him, “Do you see what has happened that which you feared has taken place. That their faith is in the Lord”

So he ordered that ditches to be dug at the entrances to the roads and it was done, and fires were kindled in them. Then the king said,
"Whoever abandons his religion, let him go, and whoever does not, throw him into the fire.''

(The people courted death but did not refused their faith from Allah) untill a woman came with her baby whom she was breast feeding, she felt hesitant about jumping into the fire, the baby spoke to her, "Be patient mother! For verily, you are following the truth!''
[Muslim and Imam Ahmad recorded it]

According to some reports, about more than twelve thousand people were burned into ashes. After that the fire flared up so high that it spread out wildly through the city and burned all those who were watching the fun of burning the Muslims. Only Yusuf Dhu Nuwas (the king) managed to run away, and threw himself into the sea in order to save himself from the rage of the fire, but he got drowned and died. [Tafsir Mazhari]

It was about Dhu Nowas and his army that Allah revealed to His Messenger (PBUH) In Surah no. 85 Al-Buruj, the reference is made to this incident.

THE HOLY QURAN:
“Cursed were the People of the Trench, the (people of the) fire that was rich with fuel, when they were sitting by it, and were watching what they were doing with the believers. And they had blamed them for nothing but that they believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the Worthy of All Praise, the One to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is witness over every thing. Surely, those who persecuted the believing men and the believing women, then did not repent, for them there is the torment of Jahannam (Hell), and for them there is the torment of burning.” [85: 4-10]

In a narration of Muhammad Ibn Ishaq, it is reported that the place where the boy Abdulluh Ibn Tamir was buried had to be dug up for some important reason during the time of Sayyidna Umar (RA). It was found that the body of 'Abdulluh Ibn Tamir was unharmed, and he was sitting up. His hand was placed on his hip joint, where the arrow struck him. Someone people moved his hand out from that place, and his wound started bleeding. When the hand was placed back in its position, the bleeding stopped.

There was a ring in his finger which had the inscription: (Allahu Rabbi) "Allah is my Lord." The governor of Yemen informed Sayyidna Umar (RA) about this, and he wrote back in reply: "cover the body back as it was with his finger-ring." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

By Inspiring Stories
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ENEMIES OF ANGEL JIBRA’EL (A.S) (GABRIEL)

The Jews were used to give ever-new excuses for denying the Holy Prophet (pbuh). When they came to know that it was Archangel Jibra'el (Gabriel) who brought the Glorious Quran to the Holy Prophet (pbuh), then they said that Jibra’el was their enemy, as it was through him that exact commandments or terrible punishments had always descended on them, and for this reason they would not accept a Book which had been revealed through his action. They also added that they could have accepted the Holy Quran, if the Archangel Mika'il (Michael) had brought it down, for he is connected with rain and with divine mercy.

To deny it on account of one’s hostility to Jibra'el (A.S) is sheer stupidity. Now, as for the attitude of the Jews towards Jibra’el (A.S), the Holy Quran declares that to be hostile to the angels or to the prophets is equal to being hostile to Allah Himself. In other words, those who deny or oppose the angels and the prophets will have their due punishment in the other world. Thus for this reason the following verses from Surah Al Baqarah was revealed:

“Say (O Muhammad), whoever be an enemy to Jibra'el (Gabriel) -- it is he who has brought it down upon your heart by the permission of Allah, confirming what has been before it, and a guidance and good tidings to the believers.
Whoever be an enemy to Allah, His angels, and His Messengers, and to Jibra'el and Mika'il, then surely Allah is enemy to the disbelievers.”
(Quran 02: 97-98)

(Tafsir Ma’ariful Quran, vol 1)
By Inspiring Stories------------------------------------------------------

ARMY OF ELEPHANTS

The following incident is mentioned in Surah Al-Feel of the Holy Quran and it happened during the period of the birth-year of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). 

Abraha Al-Ashram was the governor of Yemen on behalf of the king of Ethiopia. He thought to build a house (like the Kabah at Makkah) in Sana (the capital of Yemen) and call the Arabs to perform the pilgrimage there in Sana instead of the Kabah in Makkah, with the intention of diverting the trade and benefits from Makkah to Yemen. He presented his idea to the king of Ethiopia who agreed to it.

So the house (church) was built and he named it Al-Qullais; there was no church of its like at that time. Then a man from the Quraish tribe of Makkah came there and was infuriated by it, so he relieved his nature (stools and urine) in it, soiled its walls and went away.

When Abrahah Al-Ashram saw that, he could not control his anger and raised an army to attack Makkah and demolish the Kabah. He had in that army thirteen elephants and amongst them was an elephant called ‘Mahmud’ which was the biggest of them.

Abraha's elephant is supposed to have refused to cross the boundary of Mecca and sat down. The accounts state that if the elephant was turned towards Syria or Yemen it would walk without hesitation, but when it was turned towards the Kabah it would kneel on its knees as if it would adore the city that its master was targeted on destroying.

Abdul Muttalib ordered the men of Makkah to leave the city and go to the top of the mountains along with their wives and children in case some harm should come to them from the invading oppressors.

On the way to Makkah, the army of Abraha destroyed everything in their way and stole hundreds of camels. Amongst them were some camels that belonged to Abdul Muttalib who was the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Abdul Muttalib knew that Abraha was coming to destroy the Kabah. He ran towards the Kabah and prayed to Allah.
"O Allah! Save Your house and do not let them destroy it!"
Then he went to Abraha. And Abraha asked him: "Why do you wish to see me?"
Abdul Muttalib said he wanted his camels back.

Abraha was shocked and said: "I have come to destroy the Kabah. You are the chief of Makkah and the guardian of the Kabah and all you are worried about is your camels!?" Abdul Muttalib replied : "The camels belong to me, and so I ask for their return. The Kabah belongs to Allah and He will look after it Himself"

When Abraha heard this he returned the camels and marched forward to destroy the Kabah. Allah sent a flock of birds who flew over the army pelting them with small stones of baked clay which killed the elephants and the soldiers.

All except Abraha were destroyed and he rushed back toYemen to tell the King what had happened. He was followed by one of the birds. Abraha looked up and showed him. "What sort of amazing birds were these!" asked the furious King. The bird threw a stone and Abraha died on the spot in front of the King.

The Holy Quran, Surah Feel 105 (The Elephant):
[105:1] Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the Owners of the Elephant?
[105:2] Did He not put their plan into ruin?
[105:3] And sent flocks of birds upon them
[105:4] Which hit them with Sijjeel (stones of baked clay),
[105:5] So He made them like the leftover devour leaves of farms.

By Inspiring Stories