It is well-known that Abraham (AS) laid down the foundation of the Holy Mosque in Mecca, what is dedicated to the One God. Later, this Sanctuary was gradually filled up with idols. As the Sanctuary was on the route of caravans, it became a site for pilgrimage where many pagan idolaters performed their rituals and followed their superstitions, but the Kaaba remained forever.

To be the guard of the Kaaba and the House was the most honorable task. At the time of the birth of Muhammad (peace be upon him), this post was run by his grandfather, Abdel Muttalib. At the same time, the Christian Abyssinians settled in Yemen and erected a huge cathedral called Iqlis. Abyssinians envied the great number of people who attended in the rituals in Mecca and did their best to attract the pilgrims to their own cathedral, but they didn't succeed. Then they made the final decision: to demolish the Kaaba. Under Abraha's leadership, an army with elephants marched against Mecca.

According to Muhammad bin Ishaq, from al- Mughammas Abrahah sent forward his vanguard and they brought him the plunder of the people of Tihamah and Quraish, which included two hundred camels of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Holy Messenger of Allah (upon whom be His peace). Then, he sent an envoy of his to Makkah with the message that he had not come to fight the people of Makkah but only to destroy the House (i. e. the Ka'bah). If they offered no resistance, there would be no cause for bloodshed. Abrahah also instructed his envoy that if the people of Makkah wanted to negotiate, he should return with their leading chief to him. The leading chief of Makkah at that time was Abdul Muttalib. The envoy went to him and delivered Abrahah's message. Abdul Muttalib replied:" We have no power to fight Abrahah. This is Allah's House. If He wills He will save His House." The envoy asked him to go with him to Abrahah. He agreed and accompanied him to the king. Now Abdul Muttalib was such a dignified and handsome man that when, Abrahah saw him he was much impressed; he got off his throne and sat beside him on the carpet. Then he asked him what he wanted. Abdul Muttalib replied that he wanted the king to return his camels which he had taken. Abrahah said: "I was much impressed when I saw you but your reply has brought you down in my eyes: you only demand your camels but you say nothing about this House which is your sanctuary and the sanctuary of your forefathers." He replied: "I am the owner of my camels and am requesting you to return them. As for the House, it has its own Owner: He will defend it." When Abrahah said that He would not be able to defend it against him, Abdul Muttalib said that that rested between Him and him. With this Abdul Muttalib left Abrahah and he restored to him his camels. This is the year (570 AD) was called the year of the Elephant. That is why the year of Mohammed's birth was recorded as the year of the Elephant. Of course, this story also contains many other historical events that I cannot describe here. The bottom line: Allah destroyed Abraha's army and the Kaaba remained devoted to the glory of the One God.

Let's see what I wanted to get out of this story:

We humans, in many cases, make strategies, plans for things that are not our business to deal with. Abdel Muttalib was the owner of two hundred camels, so he went into negotiation to get them back. He did not heroize, he did not sacrifice himself for a cause what is not in his care. Many times, we humans move beyond the limits of our authority. The case of Abdel Muttalib sounds ridiculous today. However, maybe his example could solve many international conflicts, destruction of churches, synagogues, mosques or border issues. He was not excited, dealt with his own case and Allah solved His own case. Many times, the proliferation of pride, self-awareness, and identity spoils everything, though a simple wave of hand would be the right direction. Lesson: Do your own business. Do not intervene in the case of others nor in the case of God! Why? Don't you sink the documents you don't want to touch into the bottom of your drawer? And finally, things resolve themselves. Then why is there bloodshed?