Surah Lahab
The word Lahab means “Flame”. This is the 111th Surah of the Qur’an and contains 5 verses. It is Makki Surah. The meaning of Surah Lahab is that this Surah was a message to the relatives of the Prophet (P.B.U.H). Who disobeyed the message of Allah and misbehaved with the Prophet (P.B.U.M).
Revelation time
This Surah was revealed in 616-618 AD. When Abu Lahab, one of the children of Abdul Muttalib, exceeded all limits of his aggression. Then the Prophet (P.B.U.H) called their relatives and informed them about the fear of God. In response to Abby Lahab’s laughter, this Surah was revealed. And he declares that Abu Lahab and his wife will both burn in the fire of hell.
Surah Name | Al-Masad ٱلمَسَد |
Other Names | At-Tabbat, Lahab |
Makki/Madni | Makki |
Quran Surah | 111 |
No. of Verses | 5 |
No. of Words | 29 |
No. of Letters | 81 |
Position | Juzʼ 30 |
When Revealed? | 616-618 AD |
Translation of Surah Al-Masad
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ
1. Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab (an uncle of the Prophet), and perish he!
2. His wealth and his children (etc.) will not benefit him!
3. He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames!
4. And his wife too, who carries wood (thorns of Sadan which she used to put on the way of the Prophet (
) , or use to slander him).
Explanations of surah lahab
Ayah 1:
تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab and perish him!”
The first part is a plea against him and the second information about him. Abu Lahab’s real name was ‘Abd al-Uzza. He was called Abu Lahab because of his glowing, red skin. Lahab means flame of fire and Abu Lahab the one with the flaming, fiery face. There are more reasons to mention Abu Lahab by his nickname (kunyat) than the right one. First, he was better known for his kunyat; secondly, the Qur’an did not approve that he should be mentioned under his polytheistic name “Abd al-Uzza”, which means the slave of Uzza (Uzza was the name of a false god in the days of Jahiliyah); thirdly his kunyat fits well with the fate he faced as described in this surah.
The destruction of the hands as mentioned in the Surah does not mean the physical breaking of the hands. Instead, it means that a person will completely fail in his plans for which he has spent his utmost. Abu Lahab planned and acted tirelessly to prevent the Messenger from spreading the message of Islam. In spite of his efforts, within a short time the great chieftains of the Quraysh who sided with Abu Lahab in his hostility to Islam were killed in the Battle of Badr.
Ayaat 2 – 3: Wealth and children save no one
In ayah no 2 allah Says:
مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
Ibn Abbas radhiAllahu ‘anhu and others said:
“and his children (Kasab) will not benefit him!” Kasab means his children. A similar statement was reported from ‘A’ishah, Mujahid, ‘Ata’, Al-Hasan and Ibn Sirin. It was mentioned on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud radhiAllahu ‘anhu that when the Messenger of Allah salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam called his people to faith, Abu Lahab said:”Even if what my nephew says is true, I will redeem myself (i.e. save myself ) from the painful torment on the Day of Judgment with my wealth and my children.” Thus Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala revealed,
مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
Some commentators have taken “kasab” to mean earnings, i.e. the benefits accruing to him from his wealth were his kasab (earnings), and other commentators have taken it to imply children, for the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said that the son of man is also his kasab (earnings). (Abu Da’ud, Ibn Abi Hatim).
Both of these meanings fully correspond to the fate that befell Abu Lahab. For when he was afflicted with a malignant boil, his wealth did him no good, and his children also left him alone to die a miserable, miserable death.They didn’t even give him an honorable burial. Thus, within a few years, people witnessed the literal fulfillment of the prophecy that was made in this Surah about Abu Lahab.
Then in ayah Three Allah says:
سَيَصْلَى نَاراً ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
“He will be burned in a fire of blazing flames!”
that is, it has flames, evil, and heavy burning.
Ayah 4: The fate of Umm Jameel, the wife of Abu Lahab
وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
“And his wife, the firewood carrier.
His wife was one of the leading women of the Quraysh and was well known
Surah Lahab Benefits
Another name of Surah Lahab is Surah Massad. This Surah was revealed to the enemies of Islam. But it will help Muslims in terms of guidance and advice.
Here are some amazing benefits of Surah al Lahab to keep your mind on the right track.
1. Protection from enemies
If you have a worse enemy and he finds ways to hurt you. The benefits of reciting Surah Lahab 41 times with 11 times Darood is that Allah will protect you from all evil.
2. Solve health problems
If you have a problem with your back, recite this Surah and your pain will be relieved.
3. Safety for the night
A reciter of this Surah will be safe throughout the night if he recites this Surah daily before sleeping.
4. Stopping Transfer/Relocation
If you do not want to relocate or move to another place, then recite this Surah 17 times after Maghrib prayer. And do duo, your transfer will be canceled for any reason.
5. Safe from damage from enemies
If your enemy is in front of you and wants to hurt you. Then recite this surah 7 times. After that, he won’t be able to harm you.
6. To hold back the rain
If you want to stop the rain before the event or if there is a possibility of rain then recite this surah. inshallah the rain will stop.
7. Advice to do good deeds
This Surah is a warning to Muslims that if your deeds are bad, you will not be safe from punishment. So do good deeds.
8. Control aggressive behavior
This Surah will help you control your anger and aggressive behavior. This is the great enemy of human beings.
9. Risk of Hell
This surah gives a message to the reciter that your luxury in this world may bring you the danger of hell. So live a simple life.
10. End love
If you recite this Surah 71 times after Maghrib prayer, it will be enough to end the abandoned love.
11. It reminds of the power of Allah
This surah always reminds the reciter that Allah has all powers. He can do anything. But no one can do without His permission.
Effects of Surah Lahab
This Surah was a message for the enemies of Islam, but it also affects the life of every Muslim like this.
1) Don’t lie
This surah gives us a lesson that does not lie in any situation. And stop telling false stories, otherwise the punishment on the day of judgment is justifiable.
2) Never make enemies
This Surah also warns the reciter not to make enemies of Allah’s intimates. And if you did, it will end up being worse.
3) Follow the Prophet (P.B.U.H) massages.
The reciter of this Surah always follows the message of his Prophet (P.B.U.H). So this Surah tells us not to take the Prophet’s warning lightly.
Bottom Line
Consequently, this Surah is a stern warning to those who disobeyed the message of Allah. So don’t take these warnings lightly. Although the benefits of Surah Lahab are many, we can only benefit from them by following the message practically. So recite this surah, live a simple life and also ask Allah for forgiveness for the good of this world and the hereafter.