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.
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