Surah Al Masad
سورة المسد
The Palm Fiber
- Classification: Meccan
- Position: Juzʼ 30
- No. of verses: 5
- No. of words: 29
- No. of letters: 81
Introduction
Surat al Masad (سورة المسد, meaning “The Palm Fiber”) is the 111th chapter (sura) of the Quran with 5 verses. Verse 1 mentions one of Muhammad’s adversaries named Abū Lahab.
This surah takes its name from verse 5 in which the phrase “ḥablun min masad” (meaning “a rope of palm fibre”) occurs that mentions the palm fibre rope that in hellfire shall be twisted around the neck of the wife of Muhammad’s uncle, who bitterly opposed Islam;
for she took great pride in wearing an ostentatious necklace she became known for and would slip by night to strew thorns and prickly plants in Muhammad’s path to injure his feet.
Surah Al Masad transliteration:
- Tab bat yadaa abee Lahabinw-wa tabb
- Maa aghna ‘anhu maaluhu wa ma kasab
- Sa yas laa naran zaata lahab
- Wam ra-atuhu hamma latal-hatab
- Fee jeediha hab lum mim-masad
Translation – Sahih International:
- 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.
Name of Surah Al Masad
The sura takes its name from the word “people” or “mankind” (an-nas) which recurs throughout the Surah. Together with Sura Al-Falaq it is also known as Al-Mu’awwidhatayn; dealing with roughly the same theme, they form a natural pair.
Related Ahadith for Surah Al Masad:
1- May you perish!
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
Abu Lahab said, “May you perish! Is it’ for this that you have gathered us?” So there was revealed:– ‘Parish the hands of Abu Lahab’.
2- Would you believe me?
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
When the Verse:-‘And warn your tribe of near-kindred, was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) ascended the Safa (mountain) and started calling, “O Bani Fihr! O Bani `Adi!” addressing various tribes of Quraish till they were assembled.
Those who could not come themselves, sent their messengers to see what was there. Abu Lahab and other people from Quraish came and the Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “Suppose I told you that there is an (enemy) cavalry in the valley intending to attack you, would you believe me?” They said, “Yes, for we have not found you telling anything other than the truth.”
He then said, “I am a warner to you in face of a terrific punishment.” Abu Lahab said (to the Prophet) “May your hands perish all this day. Is it for this purpose you have gathered us?” Then it was revealed: “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab (one of the Prophet’s uncles), and perish he! His wealth and his children will not profit him….” (111.1-5)
3- The wife of Abu Lahab … Narrated Jundub bin Sufyan:
Once Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) became sick and could not offer his night prayer (Tahajjud) for two or three nights. Then a lady (the wife of Abu Lahab) came and said, “O Muhammad! I think that your Satan has forsaken you, for I have not seen him with you for two or three nights!”
On that Allah revealed: ‘By the fore-noon, and by the night when it darkens, your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you, nor hated you.’ (93.1-3)
Simple Explanation of Surah Al Masad:
Surah Al-Masad (chapter 111 of the Qur’an) was revealed in Makkah. The main themes of this Surah are:
a) Punishments of the enemies of Islam in the next life
b) Punishments of those who assist the enemies of Islam
SUMMARIZED INTERPRETATION OF SURAH AL-MASAD:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
[In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.]
1) تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
[Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he!]
Abu Lahab was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was a staunch enemy of Islam and used to often cause harm to the Prophet. This Surah has been revealed regarding him and his wife, who also used to cause harm to the Prophet.
Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet and the great commentator of the Qur’an said:
“When the verse, “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.” [Al Qur’an 26:214] was revealed, the Prophet went out, and when he had ascended As-Safa mountain (in Makkah), he shouted, “Ya Sabâhâh! (an Arabic expression used when one appeals for help or draws the attention of others to some danger)”
The people said, ‘What is that?’ Then they gathered around him, whereupon he (the Prophet) said, “Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?” They said, ‘We have never heard you telling a lie.’
Then he (the Prophet) said, “I am a plain warner to you of a coming severe punishment.” Abu Lahab said, ‘May you perish! You gathered us only for this reason?’ Then Abu Lahab went away. So “Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he!” was revealed.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
2) مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
[His wealth and his children will not benefit him!]
Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, a companion of the Prophet and one of the earliest converts to Islam is reported to have said:
“When the Prophet called his people to (basic tenets of Islamic) faith, Abu Lahab said, ‘Even if what my nephew (i.e. the Prophet) says is true,
I will ransom myself (i.e., save myself) from the painful torment on the Day of Judgment with my wealth and my children.’ Thus Allah revealed, “His wealth and his children will not benefit him!” (Verse 2 of this Surah)” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
3) سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
[He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames!]
4) وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
[And his wife too, who carries wood.]
5) فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ
[In her neck is a twisted rope of Masad (palm fiber).]
The wife of Abu Lahab was supportive of her husband in his disbelief, rejection and obstinacy. Therefore, she will be helping to administer his punishment in the fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment.
Thus, Allah revealed: “And his wife too, who carries wood” meaning, she will carry the firewood (of Hell) and throw it upon her husband to increase that which he is in (of torment), and she will be ready and prepared to do so. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
Sa’id bin Jubair, a companion of the Prophet said:
“When Surah Al Masad was revealed, the wife of Abu Lahab came looking out for the Prophet while Abu Bakr was sitting beside him.
Abu Bakr said to the Prophet, ‘I wish if you get aside (or go away) as she is coming to us, she may harm you.’
The Prophet said, “There will be a screen set between me and her.” So, she did not see him.
She said to Abu Bakr, ‘Your companion is saying poetry against me.’
Abu Bakr said: ‘By Allah! He does not say poetry.’
She said: ‘Do you believe that?’ Then she left.
Abu Bakr said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! She did not see you.’
The Prophet said, “An angel was screening me from her.”” [Narrated by Abu Ya’la]
Surah Al Masad References and Links
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