سُوْرَةُ الْفِيْلِ

Surah Al-Fil (105) — Ayah 3

The Elephant · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 601

وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ﴿3﴾
And He sent against them birds, in flocks,
وَأَرْسَلَ wa-arsala And He sent
عَلَيْهِمْ ʿalayhim against them
طَيْرًا ṭayran birds
أَبَابِيلَ abābīla (in) flocks

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 3) {وَ اَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ …: ’’ اَبَابِيْلَ ‘‘} Generally, a particular type of bird is called "Ababeel," but this is not correct. {’’ اَبَابِيْلَ ‘‘} refers to those horses or birds that come in groups and flocks. This word is always used in the plural; some have mentioned its singular as {’’ إِبَّالَةٌ ‘‘}.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

3. 1. Ababeel is not the name of a bird, rather its meaning is "in flocks upon flocks."

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).