Responses to Some Objections Regarding the Event of the Elephant

Objection 1:
How could a bird lift such a large stone?

Answer:
The Qur’an does not mention that the stones were large. According to Tafsir al-Kabir:

وكانَتْ تِلْكَ الأحْجارُ أصْغَرُها مِثْلُ العَدَسَةِ، وأكْبَرُها مِثْلُ الحِمِّصَةِ
"The stones that were hurled were smallest like lentils, and the largest like chickpeas."

The issue was not about “weight,” but about “impact.” Just as today a tiny virus can destroy an entire human being, does its weight exceed that of a small stone? No. Similarly, destruction was caused by the effect, not the mass.

Objection 2:
How could elephants travel 1,200 kilometers through the desert?

Answer:
The original historical records do not mention a distance of 1,200 km. This figure is either an exaggeration or a miscalculation. According to authentic history:

• Abraha came from Yemen.

• The trade routes of that time had numerous water sources such as wells and springs.

• The army traveled with large camels, mules, and supplies of water.

• Historical sources mention only three points related to the elephants: Ṣudafah, Maghmas, and Muḥṣar. The entire route was not deserted.

Even today, elephants can travel for hours in the intense heat. The real issue is not desert travel itself, but availability of supplies, and the army had them. Research confirms that elephants can indeed travel through deserts. Therefore, this objection is based on a false assumption.

Objection 3:
If Allah helped Abraha, why did He not help during the time of the Qarmatians?

Answer:
The event of Abraha was not a mere military campaign but a great sign of the Prophet ﷺ’s imminent advent, indicating to humanity that the final Prophet was about to appear. In contrast, the Qarmatian events were a test for the nation. If angels intervened in every act of oppression, the world would no longer remain a place of trial.

Hence, comparing the two events on the same scale is both logically and historically incorrect.