One of the miracles of the Noor of the Holy Prophet (S) is the miracle of Ashaabe Feel which had occurred during the time of Abdul Muttalib (a.s.). Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) is reported to have said that when the king of Abyssinia, Abraha bin Sabbaah planned to demolish the Holy Kaaba and reached Mecca, he first plundered the wealth of Meccans which included the camels of Abdul Muttalib also. Abdul Muttalib went to that king’s assembly and saw him after obtaining permission. Abraha was then sitting in a silken pavilion.
His Eminence saluted him. He replied to his Salam and was wonderstruck with his radiance, beauty, grandeur and majesty. He asked: “Did your forefathers also have this Noor?” He said: “Yes.” Abraha said: “Then you people are higher than all others due to this greatness and nobility. You ought to be chief of your community.
Then he seated him on his throne.” The king had white elephant both of whose teeth were decorated with various jewels. The king considered himself higher than other kings because of that elephant. He ordered that elephant to be brought forward. So the animal was brought in the court fully decorated. When that animal approached Abdul Muttalib it prostrated before him though it had never before done so for his master, the king.
Then that animal, by the Might of Allah and as a miracle of the Noor of the Holy Prophet (S) spoke up in fine Arabic language saluting Abdul Muttalib and said: “O the light of the best of creation and O possessor of the holy Sanctuary and Zamzam well and the best grandfather of the best prophet: Peace be on you and on the Noor which is lying in your loins. O Abdul Muttalib! All honor is for you. You can never be downed and disgraced.”
Seeing this extraordinary miracle, Abraha became fearful. He thought it was magic, so he sent back that elephant and asked Abdul Muttalib: “Why have you come here? I have heard much praise of your generosity, beauty, greatness and awe and have now personally observed your greatness and awe. I am prepared to meet your need. So let me know what you want.” He had imagined that he would ask him to refrain from destroying the Kaaba.
His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib said: “Your soldiers have taken away my camels, I request you to return them.” Abraha became angry and said: “Your honor has now decreased in my sight. I came here to destroy the honor of your Kaaba and also to destroy your community who are proud of the ownership of the Kaaba which has made you distinct. This house is where people from the whole world arrive for performing Hajj. You do not say anything about it and merely demand your camels from me?”
His Eminence replied: “I am not the owner of the House. I am the owner of my camels and have come ask you about them. The Owner of the House of Kaaba is mightier than all mighties. He Himself will protect and save His House as it is His prerogative more than all others.” Upon this Abraha returned the camels to Abdul Muttalib (a.s.) who then returned to Mecca with his animals.
Then Abraha turned his attention to the destruction of the Sanctuary of Allah and advanced with a big army and huge elephants. When he approached Kaaba his elephant stopped and sat down. When freed, it returned and when forced to go forward it lay down on the ground. His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib asked his men: “Call my sons.”
They brought Abbas. He said: “Not him. You bring my son.” At last they brought Abdullah, father of Muhammad (S). Then he told Abdullah: “Go up to mount Abu Qubais and look all around and let me know what you see.” Abdullah climbed the mountain and saw birds called Abaabeel advancing like a dark cloud with a speed of a flooded river. Then they (birds) sat on that mountain.
Then they flew therefrom, circled the Holy Kaaba seven times, did Sayy between the hillocks of Safa and Marwah seven times. Seeing all this, His Eminence, Abdullah rushed back to Abdul Muttalib and described what he had seen. His Eminence, said: “My son! Just see what else the birds do.” Abdullah said: “Then they went to the Abyssinian army.” Then Abdul Muttalib asked Meccans: “Go to Abraha’s army and take your share of the booty.”
When the Meccans reached there they saw all the soldiers lying dead like rotten wood. They also observed that every one of the birds was holding a stone in its beak and claw hitting to death every one of the army men. After finishing all of them, the birds flew back. Prior to that no one had ever seen such birds nor did anyone after that.
After all the invaders had died, Abdul Muttalib came to the Holy Kaaba, held its curtains and recited some couplets in praise of Allah for this great grace and bliss. Then he returned to his men and again recited some poetry criticizing the giving up of Kaaba by the Quraish and the description of his loneliness and his patience over it and his reliance on Only One Allah.
Reference:Hayat Al-Qulub Vol. 2