Surah Masad is the 111th chapter of the Quran. It is a short Makki Surah with 5 verses. This Surah talks about the punishment of Abu Lahab, one of the enemies of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His name is mentioned in the Surah, which makes it unique. It also mentions his wife, who used to harm the Prophet in many ways. Surah Masad is a strong warning for those who oppose the truth and hurt the Prophet or his message.
The translation of Surah Masad tells us that Abu Lahab’s wealth and efforts will not help him. He and his wife will face a painful punishment in the Hereafter.
Surah Al-Masad (Surah 111) – Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ حَمَّالَةَ ٱلْحَطَبِ
فِى جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌۭ مِّن مَّسَدٍۢ
Transliteration (English Romanized)
Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
Tabbat yadā abī lahabin wa tabb
Mā aghnā ‘anhu māluhu wa mā kasab
Sayaṣlā nāran dhāta lahab
Wamra’atuhu ḥammālata al-ḥaṭab
Fī jīdihā ḥablum min masad
Translation (Sahih International)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
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.
What is the Main Lesson of Surah Masad?
Surah Al-Masad (The Palm Fiber) is the 111th chapter of the Holy Quran. The word Al-Masad refers to a twisted rope made from palm fiber, which is directly linked to the punishment described for the wife of Abu Lahab. The Surah condemns both Abu Lahab and his wife, not just for personal hostility, but for their aggressive opposition to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
1. تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!”
The word “tabbat” comes from the Arabic root تَبَّ, which means to be ruined or destroyed with no good left. This verse is a divine curse and announcement of destruction. The phrase “yadā Abī Lahab” (hands of Abu Lahab) symbolizes power, strength, and effort. So, the verse means: “May all his efforts, power, and plans fail.”
Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ, was one of his harshest enemies. Despite being from his own clan (Banu Hashim), he publicly humiliated and rejected the message of Islam.
Hadith Reference:
When the Prophet ﷺ stood on Mount Safa to call his people to Islam, Abu Lahab said:
“Tabban laka! Alī hādhā jama‘tanā?” (May you be ruined! Is this why you gathered us?)
Then Allah revealed this verse as a direct response — eternally recorded in the Quran.
Note: Mishkah Academy teaches about Surah Masad in detail and how to recite it with proper meanings in “Online quran recitation classes”
2. مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
“His wealth will not benefit him, nor what he earned.”
The word “aghna” means to benefit or save, and “kasab” refers to earnings, including children and status. Abu Lahab was a wealthy man with high social status. But this verse makes it clear: no wealth, no sons, and no worldly achievements can save a person from Allah’s punishment.
Ibn Kathir notes that Abu Lahab used to say, “If what my nephew says is true, I can buy myself out with my wealth.” This verse answers him clearly — it will not help him at all.
3. سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
“He will burn in a flame of blazing fire.”
The word “ṣalā” means to be thrown into or enter into burning. “Lahab” literally means flame—interestingly, the same word as his name Abu Lahab, which was actually a nickname meaning “father of flame” because of his fiery face.
The Quran uses this word as a divine irony — the man of “flame” will burn in a real flame in the Hereafter. This shows how Allah uses powerful literary style for eternal punishment against the enemies of truth.
4. وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ حَمَّالَةَ ٱلْحَطَبِ
“And his wife, the carrier of firewood.”
This verse refers to Umm Jameel (Arwa bint Harb), the wife of Abu Lahab and sister of Abu Sufyan. She was equally abusive towards the Prophet ﷺ. She spread thorns on his path, mocked him, and used her status to harm Islam.
The phrase “ḥammālata al-ḥaṭab” literally means “the carrier of firewood”. Scholars explain this in two ways:
- Literal: She used to bring thorny wood and place it in the Prophet’s path.
- Metaphorical: She used to carry tales and spread slander, igniting fitnah (trouble) among people — like someone carrying wood to feed a fire.
According to Ibn Abbas (RA), she used to support her husband in hurting the Prophet. This verse shows that she too is punished personally and publicly in the Quran — a rare case in the Quran for a woman.
5. فِى جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌۭ مِّن مَّسَدٍۢ
“Around her neck is a rope of twisted palm-fiber.”
The word “jīd” means neck, and “masad” refers to twisted palm fiber rope, known for its roughness and painful texture. The scholars explain that this is part of her punishment in Hell, where a rope will be tied around her neck like an animal being dragged.
This verse also mocks her arrogance. Umm Jameel used to wear a necklace of precious stones, boasting of her wealth. The Quran declares that her final necklace will be a rope of fire, made from rough fiber.
What was Surah Al-Masad Revealed in Response to?
Surah Al-Masad was revealed as a direct response to the hostile actions of Abū Lahab, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His real name was ‘Abd al-‘Uzzā ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib, but he was known as Abū Lahab due to his reddish complexion.
When the Prophet ﷺ openly invited his tribe to Islam on Mount Safa, Abū Lahab angrily shouted, “May you perish! Is this why you gathered us?” This public insult prompted Allah to reveal this Surah, cursing him and his wife for their stubborn rejection and active opposition to the message of Islam. It is one of the rare Surahs that mentions a specific enemy by name and warns of their punishment in Hell.
What was the Reason for the Revelation of Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad, also known as Surah Lahab, was revealed in Makkah during the early years of the Prophet’s mission. Its main reason was to condemn Abū Lahab and his wife for their aggressive stance against Islam.
When the Prophet ﷺ gathered his close relatives to call them towards Allah, Abū Lahab reacted with insults and rejection. He continued to oppose the Prophet with mockery, slander, and even financial pressure.
His wife, Umm Jameel, supported him by spreading lies and placing thorns in the Prophet’s path. This Surah directly curses them both and announces their fate in the Hereafter, making it clear that wealth, power, and family ties cannot protect one from Allah’s judgment.
What was Cursed in Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad opens with a powerful curse: “Tabbat yadā Abī Lahab”, meaning “May the hands of Abū Lahab perish.” Here, “hands” represent his efforts, power, and schemes. The phrase implies that all his actions and plans will end in ruin. The second part, “wa tabb,” confirms the curse — he is already ruined. It’s both a supplication and a verdict. This shows Allah’s complete disapproval of his behavior.
His wife is also condemned as “ḥammālata al-ḥaṭab” (the carrier of firewood), symbolizing her role in spreading harm. The final verse mentions a rope of twisted fiber around her neck, which reflects a punishment matching her evil character. Both were cursed eternally in the Quran for their actions.
Final Words
Surah Al-Masad stands as a clear warning against pride, hatred, and open hostility toward the truth. It reminds us that no amount of wealth or power can save someone from Allah’s punishment if they fight against His message. The Surah also shows how personal actions and words carry weight in the Hereafter.
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