![]() Written by S. Mahdi Shojaee English text by Yuko Saito and Lisa Mullarkey ![]() In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. ![]() ![]() In the king's command were huge elephants, countless battle horses, and soldiers all armed with helmets, shields, lances, spears and swords. The earth shook under the heavy steps of the terrifying army and the sky darkened with the rising dust. Nothing could stop their advance. Cities, villages, and houses in their way were burned and plundered. The slightest uprising by villagers' was defeated by the orders of the commander, King Abraha. The king's hatred of Kaaba was so great that he would never be satisfied until it was totally destroyed. ![]() ![]() So, to attract people to his country, he built an elaborate, ornate, immense temple in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. But the temple did not stand long. No sooner was it completed than it caught fire and collapsed, reducing the king's ambitions into mere ashes. It infuriated the king so much that he was determined not to rest until Kaaba was completely destroyed. ![]() ![]() Abdolmotaleb was well known as a great and honorable man, loved and respected by all. King Abraha was jealous of his fame as much as of the Holy Shrine. He wanted to see if he could humiliate this man by using his advantageous position. ![]() (絵本のデザインは、このページと同じではありません) |