Whoever Intends Evil Against the Kaaba: No one has ever intended harm toward the Kaaba except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, became angry on its behalf. Once, King Tubba’ resolved to kill the fighting men of the people of the Kaaba, take their offspring as captives, and destroy the Kaaba. His eyes began to swell until they fell onto his cheeks. He inquired about the cause, and they said: "We believe that what has afflicted you is due to your intention against this House, for the city is Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى sanctuary, the House is Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى House, and the residents of Mecca are the descendants of Ibrahim, the friend of Allah سبحانه وتعالى." Tubba’ said: "You have spoken the truth. What can deliver me from what I am facing?" They said: "Change your intention and resolve to do good." So, he changed his intention to something better. His eyes returned to their proper place and were restored. He then summoned those who had advised him to destroy the Kaaba and killed them. Afterward, he went to the Kaaba, covered it with leather, and provided food for thirty days, sacrificing one hundred camels daily. Large trays of food were carried to the wild animals on the mountain peaks, and fodder was scattered for the beasts. He then departed from Mecca to Medina and settled there a group of Yemenites from Ghassan, who became the Ansar (supporters). It has been narrated: "Tubba’ sacrificed six thousand cattle at Sha'b Ibn 'Amir, a place that was referred to as the 'Kitchens of Tubba’' until it was later inhabited by Ibn 'Amir and became known as 'Sha'b Ibn 'Amir.' Tubba’ was neither a believer nor an outright disbeliever, but he sought the Abrahamic faith. None ruled over both the East and the West except Tubba’ and Khosrow. Later, the Kaaba was targeted by the companions of the elephant and their king, Abū Yaksūm (Abraha ibn Al-Sabah Al-Himyari), who intended to demolish it. Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent against them flocks of birds (Ababil) pelting them with stones of baked clay, rendering them like eaten straw. What happened to Tubba’ and the companions of the elephant did not befall Al-Hajjaj because his intention was not to destroy the Kaaba itself but to confront Ibn Al-Zubayr, who opposed the rightful authority. When Ibn Al-Zubayr sought refuge in the Kaaba, Allah سبحانه وتعالى willed to show the people that He did not grant him safety, and so He delayed the punishment for its destruction upon Al-Hajjaj."
Commentary #19