Tafseer Surah Lahab

Translation

1. Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he.
2. His wealth and earnings will not benefit him.
3. He will be plunged into a fire of blazing flames.
4. And his wife, the carrier of firewood,
5. Will have around her neck a rope of palm fibre.

Background

This is one place in the Quran where Allah Taála condemns a person by name. Abu Lahab was actually the title of the man. His real name was Abdul Uzza. He was one of the sons of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. He was, thus, an uncle to the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. He was, however, an archenemy of Islam and Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Circumstance of revelation

In the early days of Islam the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was commanded to invite his close family to Islam. The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam climbed upon Mount Safa and called the people to him. When they had come he asked them :
"O gathering of Qureish! If I tell you that there is an army behind this mountain about to attack you, will you believe me? They replied in one voice : "Yes." The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam then said to them : "I warn you of a terrible torment. Save yourselves from the Fire." Abu Lahab who was present stood up and declared : "May you be destroyed. Did you call us for this?" Allah Taála then revealed this Surah as an answer to this statement of his.

Verse 1

In the first verse Allah Taála curses Abu Lahab. It is as if Allah Taála is informing us that Abu Lahab will be destroyed in the future. This came to be as Allah Taála had described. After the battle of Badr he became ill with a dreadful disease. His family discarded him in fear of it affecting them. He died in this miserable plight. For three days his body lay deserted and nobody would touch him. Finally, a number of slaves picked up his body with sticks, threw it into a hole and filled the hole with rocks.
The verse refers to destruction of hands and as we do majority of our work with our hands, this is symbolic of complete destruction of the body.

Verse 2

Neither his wealth nor his children can save him from destruction. This was in reality a refutation of an earlier claim made by Abu Lahab.
Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu anhu says : "When Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam warned his people from punishment Abu Lahab said : 'If what my nephew says is true I will save myself from punishment by my wealth and children."'

Verse 3

In the first two verses we are told of his worldly failure and punishment. In this verse we are told of his punishment in the hereafter.

Verse 4

In this verse Allah Taála informs us of the wife of Abu Lahab. She was the sister of Abu Sufyaan.

Hamma latal hatab literally means one who carries firewood. This phrase has been explained in three different ways by the mufassireen (commentators) :
1. It refers to a tale carrier in the Arabic language because tale carrying lights fires of hatred. The wife of Abu Lahab used to speak of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.
2. She used to carry thorny branches from the forest and place them in the path of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam to give him difficulty and pain.
3. She will kindle the fire of Jahanam for her husband by throwing firewood into it in order to increase his pain just as she had assisted him in this world by increasing the pain of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Verse 5

Masad refers to a strong rope made of palm leaves or a wire.

Lessons

1. Enemies of Islam and people who accuse the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam unjustly will be punished by Allah in this world and the Hereafter. Orientalist scholars as well as modern day critics who label the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam as a terrorist will surely meet their fate. Their days of pleasure are short lived.

2. A married couple should be partners in good and virtue rather than sin and evil.


	Tafseer - Surah Lahab





Translation 1. Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he. 2. His wealth and earnings will not benefit him. 3. He will be plunged into a fire of blazing flames. 4. And his wife, the carrier of firewood, 5. Will have around her neck a rope of palm fibre. Background This is one place in the Quran where Allah Taála condemns a person by name. Abu Lahab was actually the title of the man. His real name was Abdul Uzza. He was one of the sons of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. He was, thus, an uncle to the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. He was, however, an archenemy of Islam and Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Circumstance of revelation In the early days of Islam the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was commanded to invite his close family to Islam. The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam climbed upon Mount Safa and called the people to him. When they had come he asked them : "O gathering of Qureish! If I tell you that there is an army behind this mountain about to attack you, will you believe me? They replied in one voice : "Yes." The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam then said to them : "I warn you of a terrible torment. Save yourselves from the Fire." Abu Lahab who was present stood up and declared : "May you be destroyed. Did you call us for this?" Allah Taála then revealed this Surah as an answer to this statement of his. Verse 1 In the first verse Allah Taála curses Abu Lahab. It is as if Allah Taála is informing us that Abu Lahab will be destroyed in the future. This came to be as Allah Taála had described. After the battle of Badr he became ill with a dreadful disease. His family discarded him in fear of it affecting them. He died in this miserable plight. For three days his body lay deserted and nobody would touch him. Finally, a number of slaves picked up his body with sticks, threw it into a hole and filled the hole with rocks. The verse refers to destruction of hands and as we do majority of our work with our hands, this is symbolic of complete destruction of the body. Verse 2 Neither his wealth nor his children can save him from destruction. This was in reality a refutation of an earlier claim made by Abu Lahab. Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu anhu says : "When Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam warned his people from punishment Abu Lahab said : 'If what my nephew says is true I will save myself from punishment by my wealth and children."' Verse 3 In the first two verses we are told of his worldly failure and punishment. In this verse we are told of his punishment in the hereafter. Verse 4 In this verse Allah Taála informs us of the wife of Abu Lahab. She was the sister of Abu Sufyaan. Hamma latal hatab literally means one who carries firewood. This phrase has been explained in three different ways by the mufassireen (commentators) : 1. It refers to a tale carrier in the Arabic language because tale carrying lights fires of hatred. The wife of Abu Lahab used to speak of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. 2. She used to carry thorny branches from the forest and place them in the path of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam to give him difficulty and pain. 3. She will kindle the fire of Jahanam for her husband by throwing firewood into it in order to increase his pain just as she had assisted him in this world by increasing the pain of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Verse 5 Masad refers to a strong rope made of palm leaves or a wire. Lessons 1. Enemies of Islam and people who accuse the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam unjustly will be punished by Allah in this world and the Hereafter. Orientalist scholars as well as modern day critics who label the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam as a terrorist will surely meet their fate. Their days of pleasure are short lived. 2. A married couple should be partners in good and virtue rather than sin and evil.
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