Note: This is post #7 in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.
Most of us know Surah Lahab. It’s one of the first one Muslim children learn these days. We’re going to breeze through the tafseer, then dive into one of the miracles, and finish up with some Arabic analysis.
Allah says:
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
مَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
سَيَصْلَى نَاراً ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ
Translation:
May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he.
His wealth will not avail him or that which he gained.
He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame
And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood.
Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber. [Surah Lahab, verses 1-5]
Reason of Revelation
This verse was one of the first revealed in Mecca. You can find the full details in Tafsir ibn Kathir. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was told to proclaim the message; so he went up on a mountain.
In those days, when the Arabs attacked, they attacked right at Fajr time, when the most people were sleeping. If anyone saw this, they would get up on a mountain and say “waaaaaaaaaaaah subaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaah,” like “woe to you from an evil that’s coming in the morning.”
So the Prophet got up on the mountain, and he called each of the tribes, one by one, by name. And when they had all gathered–check this out–he said “If I told you all that the enemy was going to attack you in the morning, or in the evening, would you all believe me?” and they said “we’ve never experienced a lie from you.”
So he (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, I am a warner (sent) to you all before the coming of a severe torment.”
And this was it! The chance for everyone to become Muslim, Mecca becomes conquered, Islam gets an established base and spreads out of Arabia …
… and Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet, said: “Have you gathered us for this? Tabba lak (may you perish).”
And Allah revealed Surah Lahab.
Points to Consider
- Syed. Abu Lahab was “syed,” (in the broad sense), that is, from the family and clan of the Prophet (not that he was a direct descendant of the Prophet). And he is doomed to Hellfire! So what does that mean for all the syeds out there? Are you still so sure you’ll be saved just for being a relative of the Messenger of Allah? Wake up! You need to pray and fast and pay zakah and make Hajj, just like anyone else.
- Tabbat is a curse. It appears twice in the first ayah–at the beginning, as if it’s a curse, and at the end, as if it’s a statement of reality–that he is cursed.
- Carrier of Firewood. There are two opinions on what this means: One is that the wife of Abu Lahab used to enflame people. “Oh did you hear what so-and-so said about you?” “Oh do you know what that other person did?” To make them hate each other; like she carries the wood to fan the fire. The other opinion is that she used to carry thorns and put them in what pathways the Messenger of Allah used to walk, so he’d be harmed.
- A Necklace of Fire. Hellfire is enough of a punishment–but on top, she’ll be given a necklace of fire. Why? Because she had a beautiful necklace, and she pawned it at a fundraiser so she could use the wealth to harm the Messenger of Allah. So glad tidings O you people who donated for the sake of Allah! Insha’Allah for sure you will get something good, if Allah rewarded giving something bad with something in Hellfire.
The Miracle in Surah Lahab
If you notice, Allah dooms Abu Lahab to Hellfire in this surah. Now, the mufassireen point out an interesting point–at any time, Abu Lahab could have accepted Islam–even as a fake-out. And he could have said “Hey guys, I’m Muslim now, how come the Qur’an is claiming I’m in Hellfire?” And that would’ve caused great fitnah.
But he never did.
And Allah knew that he wouldn’t.
And so, we see even in this small, oft-repeated surah, one of the miracles of the Qur’an.
Some Arabic Analysis
- Tabba/Tabbat (تَبَّتْ) is a curse. It means “may you lose everything and perish.”
- Abi Lahab? Just like we discussed in the second post about rabbuka and rabbika, whether you say “Abu Lahab” or “Abi Lahab” or “Aba Lahab,” it’s the same name. Just different grammatical tense.
- Triple Possessive Case: Yahd is mudaaf; abi is mudaf ilayh (hence it’s majroor), and also mudaaf to lahab (which is mudaf ilayh and majroor). If you didn’t understand that, don’t worry.
- Kasaba (كَسَبَ) means “what he accumulated.” Ibn Abbas (radiallahu ‘anhu) says that he accumulated is wealth, and children, and honour, and status; but none of those will help him in the Hereafter.
- Sayaslaa (سَيَصْلَى) is future-tense; it means he (Abu Lahab) will be thrown into.
- Naaran thaata lahab: This construct is difficult to explain, so forgive me if it’s not the easiest thing to understand. If I said “I saw a man dhuw lihyatin,” it means I saw a man who has a beard; or literally, “the owner of a beard.” If I said “I saw a man dhaa lihyatin,” i.e. an adjective construct, it means “I saw a bearded man.” Here, Allah says: naaran thaala lahab, meaning “the fire possessing flame,” or “the flaming fire.” It’s a description of the qualities of that fire. Tafseer ibn Katheer mentions a fire of blazing flames, painful and severe.
Wallahu ta’ala ‘alam, that’s Surah Lahab in a nutshell. If there are any questions, comments, or corrections, please post them in the comments.
Also, I cannot think of any action items related to this surah; so it’s up to you! Whatever you think of, post it in the comments! Insha’Allah you will get a copy of the ajar of anyone else who performs that action.
Action Items Contributed
Try and do at least one of the following:
- Donate something small for the sake of Allah. Buying gifts for family members is sadaqah too; so why not buy something nice–a watch, a necklace, etc. for your family member. Insha’Allah you’ll get one, too, in Jannah! (Even more motivation to buy what you’d love for yourself!)
References:
- Touched by an Angel: Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma. By Muhammad Alshareef. 2009.
AsSalamAlykum
JAzakallah Khair for the post
Action Item:
“O you people who donated for the sake of Allah! Insha’Allah for sure you will get something good, if Allah rewarded giving something bad with something in Hellfire.”
Simply donate something (Even if its small) for the sake of Allah. Perhaps how about brother buy their wife, mother or sister some good necklace for the sake of Allah (remember spending on family is sadaqah too) or sisters donate or buy someone needy a necklace.
If you still are not sure where to donate, click on the my name in the comment :)
Wa’alikum as-salaam wa rahmatullah,
@Abdullah jazakumullahu khayran for the masha’Allah AWESOME suggestion. I’ve added it to the post.
Jazaakum Allahu khayran.
What sticks out to me is how Allah ta’ala describes the neck of his wife…jeedihaa, j jeed is a neck that is slender, long and very beautiful. This beautiful neck that wore gold and jewelry will have: Hablun min masad. SubhanAllah.
@Amatullah, subhanallah that is a very deep point…sadaqallah. Jazakumullahu khayran for sharing.
[...] Tafsir of Surah al-Masad by Ilm Fruits [...]
Asalamalaikum,
I would like to add that after the Surah was revealed Abu lahab’s wife stormed out of the house with a sword accusing Mohammad SAWasalam that people shouldnt believe him and that his command is to not follow her dad[ which was a leader of a non muslim tribe] and she was a strong supporter of lahab in his wrong actions and Allah and its amazing how in the surah Allah taala states that she will also be a support in his punishment like she was a support in his actions. She will be the one fueling the fire with wood.
I would like to point out that Abu Lahab was not syed. He did not come from the family of the Prophet S (Bibi Fatima is the one who had children and through her come all the syeds). Abu Lahab was from the Quraish, the Hashmi clan and was the blood uncle of the Prophet S.
Nevertheless a syed is held accountable for his deeds like everyone else (if not more). But to call someone from the family of the Prophet S who is not is ignorance. This is Allah’s address to the family of the Prophet S in the Holy Quran: “And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. ” [33:33].
His example would be similar to the example of Hazrat Nuh A and his son:”And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!” He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!” “[11:45-46]
Please revise and update the post. It is part of our faith to love the family of the Prophet S, in every salat we make dua for them when recite durood. One who disrespects them is disrespecting Rasulullah S. Rasulullah S left us two things: his sunnah and his family.
@Shaheed, you can take it up with some shuyookh insha’Allah. My shuyookh have mentioned to me what I have quoted above; it is not from my own understanding.
If you mean “Syed” in the very limited sense of “blood descendent of Rasulullah” (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), then no, Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl are not “syed.”
But if you mean “syed” in the meaning you pointed out–of the same family, lineage, tribe, and qabeelah–being Hashimi and Qurayshi–then they are, indeed, “syed.”
Regardless, the lesson is the same; and it is something for us to ponder.
And Allah knows best. There is no disrespect intended at Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) or his family, companions, or followers.
Someone please help me to understand one confusion. If a woman (when he is married) recites this particular sura because her husband is a known wrong doer, does it mean that she is including herself in that suffering, too? Since, the last two ayahs of the sura indicates about the calamity the wife would suffer as well, is it ok for the wife to read it for the sake of calming her husbands misdeeds?
@Ms. Salam I’m not sure why anyone would do that (or what the implications are).
It’s clear from the seerah that the wife of Abu Lahab, Umm Jameelah, was implicated due to her own violent actions against Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), and not just because she married him.
It’s clear from other examples that the piety of one spouse does not reflect directly on the other spouse — everyone has to work for themselves.
Personally I would not read it to bring someone back from misdeeds. Other methods of da’wah are likely more effective, such as persuasion, reminding of the hereafter, etc.
Essalamo Aleikum,
Hammalato el-hatab (carrier of fire-wood), in another tafseer, apart from the ones you mentioned, could also refer to Abu Lahab’s wife’s job in Hell, where she would keep bringing fire-wood to put around her husband to burn further, while herself is on fire. Only one day of the week the punishment is decreased (Still enough to boil his brain), that is on Mondays. This is because he threw a banquet and released his slave on the day of Mohammed’s (PBUH) birth, as celebration. So Allah the Merciful, will still reward this Kafir for this deed. Subhana Allah. Wallaho Aalam.
Essalamo Aleikum.
Wa’alikum as-salaam wa rahmatullah,
Can you provide more details on the “punishment being lightened on Mondays” with some authentic sources? I have never heard of this before; and Allah says: “fa thuwquw, fa lan naziydahum illa athaaba” (Surah An-Naba’, verse 30): So taste the punishment, and We will never increase you except in punishment.”
Assalamo Aleikum,
The punishment is less on Mondays is for Abu Lahab, the uncle of Prophet Mohammed (Salla Allaho Aleihi was Sallem). This is said in a hadeeth, and the reason is that he celebrated the birth of Mohammed (SAAWS), when he was born on a Monday. He threw a feast and released his servant. For this act, the hadeeth says every Monday he will have “sandals” to ease the heat on his feet (however, still hot enough to boil his brain). I will try and find the actual hadeeth. This is the Mercy of Allah, truly as he said in his glorious revelation:”As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily, We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.” 18:30.
Wa Allaho Aalem.
Asif
i just want to thank you. I’m trying to learn quraan inshaAllaah, and reading your really simple and basic tasfeer makes it easier to understand.
wow, may Allaah grant you Jannatul Firdaus inshaAllaah for ur efforts and time, really, mashaAllaah
wa salaamu alaykum wa rahmathulahi wa barakathuh
@abagail francis, ameen to your du’as. May Allah accept our efforts so far.
masallah thtz awesome …also wrt urz opinion
What surah in the quran is this surah in?
And also what Juz?
Basically, where is this surah placed in the Quran?
I’ve learned so much with this website. Jazakhallah.
Thank you!
@Saba R. this is from Surah Lahab, aka Surah Masad; surah #111 from the last Juz of the Qur’an (juz ‘Amma).
You can view the full surah here: http://quran.com/111
Jazakallah for all the efforts u are doing may allah reward u for it.
assalamu alikum warahmathullah.
dear sir,
in the quran says about the hnd of Abu lahab as ”thabbt yadah abee lahab” which means perish the hands (two) of Aboo Lahab. but in the history, all of his body perished before his death and the bad smell came out from his body.
my question is :- why Allah says about his hands, except his body?
what is the relevance for saying the hands in the hands.