Question 2
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Examine the significance of the year of year of Elephant (570 C.E.)
The question has a lot in common with the historical facts depicting the essence of the year of Elephant (570 C.E.) and majority of the candidates who attempted it performed better as a result of clear points inherent in the factual occurrences of the historical event.
The question requested the candidates to examine the following points:
- The event of the Elephant refers to an attempt to pull down the Kacbah in 570 C.E.
- It occurred when Abdul-Muṭṭalib was the head of Quraysh.
- Abraha al-Ashram was then the Abyssinia viceroy of Yemen.
- This is because of the political and economic significance of the pilgrimage as well as the religious leadership of Makkah.
- So he built an elaborate cathedral in Sanāc the capital of Yemen.
- The motive was to attract pilgrims to it instead of the kacbah.
- An Arab was said to have profaned this cathederal.
- He decided to march on Makkah to pull down the Kacbah in retaliation.
- Elephants and other war implements were obtained to execute the plan.
- Allah, the Owner of the House protected it.
- He sent flocks of birds with baked stones to destroy the attackers.
- The rest fled back to Abyssinia disappointed.
- Sūratul Fīl (Q.107) refers to the event.
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was born in that year.