What it is and when you say it
Al-Fil, "The Elephant", is surah 105. It recalls the army that came with elephants to destroy the Kaaba in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) was born, and how Allah stopped it with flocks of birds.
Five short verses, often learned together with the next surah, Quraysh.
Read the full guide: Which short surahs can I recite in prayer?
How to learn it by heart
- Read the whole text once with its meaning, so you know what you are saying.
- Learn one line at a time. Say it out loud until it flows, then add the next line.
- Hide the words little by little: first letters, then nothing. Tap a line when you need a look.
- Use it in your prayers right away. Repeating it five times a day is what makes it stay.
Common questions
Who were the people of the elephant?
The army of Abraha, a ruler from Yemen, who marched on Makkah with an elephant to tear down the Kaaba.
Why learn it with Quraysh?
The two surahs follow each other and their meaning connects: Allah protected Makkah, so its people could live and trade in safety.
Hear every word
Revertly teaches new Muslims to pray from zero, with a recitation for every line, so you learn how it sounds, not only how it looks. Cannot afford it? Ask for a free code.