The Year of the Elephant

Abraha, the Abyssinian ruler of Yemen, marches on Makkah with an army and elephants to destroy the Ka’bah. At the valley of Muhassar the elephant kneels and will not advance, and birds pelt the army with stones. Quraish, who had fled to the hills, return safely.

As the book dates it: Muharram, 50 or 55 days before the Prophet’s birth; late February or early March 571 A.D.

Who was there

• AAbrahaThe Abyssinian ruler of Yemen who marched on the Ka’bah with elephants.
• A‘Abdul-MuttalibThe Prophet’s grandfather, who re-dug the well of Zamzam, named the baby Muhammad, and cared for the orphaned boy until his own death.