سُوْرَةُ الْفِيْلِ

Surah Al-Fil (105) — Ayah 4

The Elephant · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 601

تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ ﴿4﴾
Striking them with stones of Sijjîl (baked clay).
تَرْمِيهِم tarmīhim Striking them
بِحِجَارَةٍۢ biḥijāratin with stones
مِّن min of
سِجِّيلٍۢ sijjīlin baked clay

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.

In the exegesis of (Ayah 4) {تَرْمِيْهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّنْ سِجِّيْلٍ: ’’ سِجِّيْلٍ ‘‘}, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: [ هِيَ سَنْكِ وَكِلْ ] [ بخاري، التفسیر، باب سورۃ : { ألم تر }، قبل ح : ۴۹۶۴ ] "By this is meant stone and clay." That is, baked clay which is called khanghar. Around volcanoes that spew lava, such burnt, hard pebbles are commonly found.

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.

4. 1. سجیل: Pebbles made from clay baked in fire. These small stones or pebbles did more deadly work than cannonballs and bullets.

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.

4. Striking them with stones of baked clay [4][5],

[4] ﴿سجيل﴾ is derived from the Persian word "sang-e-gil" (meaning a clay stone). That is, those pointed pebbles in which there is also a mixture of clay, and pebbles are being formed from clay.
[5] ﴿تَرْمِيْهِمْ﴾ ﴿رمي﴾ means to throw stones, pebbles, etc., from a distance aiming at something. Allah Almighty did not say that the birds were dropping pebbles on them, but rather said that they were throwing them aiming at them. It should be noted that the word ﴿رمي﴾ is also used for archery. Thus, those birds or Allah's army were actually attacking them in an organized manner.