Suratul Masad (Reading and Meaning) – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Suratul Masad is the 111th chapter of the Holy Quran, a short Makkan surah of 5 verses about Abu Lahab and his wife, who opposed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the two names of Suratul Masad and their meanings.
2. Read the surah and give its English translation.
3. Describe who Abu Lahab and his wife were and how they opposed the Prophet.
4. Narrate the event of Mount Safa that led to the revelation of the surah.
5. Explain the meaning of each verse.
6. State the lessons of the surah and how to apply them in daily life.

What are the basic facts about Suratul Masad?

Suratul Masad is the 111th surah of the Quran, revealed in Makkah, with 5 verses (ayat).

What are the names of the surah?

Suratul Masad has two common names:

• Al-Masad: means “The Palm Fibre”, from the rope mentioned in the last verse.
• Al-Lahab: means “The Flame”, from the name Abu Lahab, “Father of Flame”.

When was it revealed?

It was revealed in Makkah, early in the Prophet’s mission, after he began to call people to Islam openly.

• Time: early Makkan period, when Muslims were few and weak.
• Background: it came after Allah commanded the Prophet to warn his close relatives.
• Cause: the event of Mount Safa, explained below.

Where does it belong in the Quran?

• Verses: 5 short verses.
• Group: it is among the Mufassal, the shorter chapters near the end of the Quran.

What are the text and translation of Suratul Masad?

Suratul Masad begins with the Bismillah: “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.”

Who was Abu Lahab?

Abu Lahab was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and one of the strongest enemies of early Islam.

What was his family background?

• Real name: Abdul Uzza ibn Abdul Muttalib.
• Relationship: brother of the Prophet’s father, so the Prophet’s uncle.
• Position: a wealthy chief of the Quraysh tribe in Makkah.
• Nickname: “Abu Lahab” (Father of Flame), reportedly because of his bright, reddish face.

How did he oppose Islam?

• Insults: he abused and mocked the Prophet in public.
• Contradiction: he followed the Prophet in markets and gatherings to turn people against his message.
• Family pressure: he made his two sons divorce the Prophet’s daughters.
• Rejoicing: he reportedly celebrated when the Prophet’s son died.

Who was his wife?

His wife was Arwa bint Harb, known as Umm Jamil, and she supported his campaign against the Prophet.

• Family: sister of Abu Sufyan, who later became a Muslim.
• Harm: she is reported to have placed thorns in the Prophet’s path.
• Rumours: she spread gossip and insulting words about him.
• Title: “carrier of firewood”, explained under verse 4.

What is the story behind Suratul Masad?

The surah was revealed after Abu Lahab insulted the Prophet at Mount Safa.

What happened at Mount Safa?

1. Allah commanded the Prophet: “And warn your closest relatives” (Quran 26:214).
2. The Prophet climbed Mount Safa and called the clans of Quraysh.
3. When they gathered, he asked if they would believe him if he said an enemy army was behind the mountain.
4. They answered yes, because they had never known him to lie.
5. He then told them he was a warner sent to them before a severe punishment.
6. Abu Lahab said angrily: “May you perish! Did you gather us for this?”
7. Allah then revealed Suratul Masad.

How did Abu Lahab and his wife react?

• Anger: both became more hostile to the Prophet.
• Umm Jamil: reports say she came with a stone to hurt the Prophet.
• Protection: the same reports say she could not see him, though he was sitting with Abu Bakr.

What do the verses of Suratul Masad mean?

Each verse of Suratul Masad warns Abu Lahab or his wife of failure and punishment.

Verse 1: “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and may he perish!”

• Hands: stand for his power and effort.
• Tabbat: means to be ruined or to fail.
• Repetition: shows his failure was certain.

Verse 2: “His wealth and whatever he earned will not benefit him.”

• Wealth: Abu Lahab was rich and proud of his money.
• Whatever he earned: his gains, status and children, according to commentators.
• Meaning: nothing he owned could save him from Allah’s punishment.

Verse 3: “He will enter a Fire full of flames.”

• Message: Abu Lahab will be punished in the Fire.
• Wordplay: his name “Lahab” (flame) matches the “flaming fire”.

Verse 4: “And his wife as well, the carrier of firewood.”

• Message: she shares his punishment because she shared his wrong actions.
• Literal meaning: she carried thorns to place in the Prophet’s path.
• Figurative meaning: she carried gossip and slander between people, as Arabs describe a rumour-spreader.

Verse 5: “Around her neck is a rope of palm fibre.”

• In the Hereafter: a rough rope of twisted palm fibre replaces her proud necklace.
• Symbol: humiliation takes the place of pride.
• Another view: some commentators say she boasted of her costly necklace and of spending it against the Prophet.

What prophecies are in Suratul Masad?

The surah foretold that Abu Lahab and his wife would stay in disbelief and be punished, and this came true.

What did the surah foretell?

1. Disbelief: Abu Lahab would die without accepting Islam. He could have pretended to believe to prove the surah wrong, but he never did.
2. Punishment: he and his wife would enter the Fire.
3. Failure: this was said early, when Muslims were few and weak and Abu Lahab was powerful.

How was it fulfilled?

• Disbelief: Abu Lahab never accepted Islam.
• Death: reports say he died of a painful skin disease soon after the Battle of Badr.
• Burial: reports say people feared infection and buried him with little honour.
• Wealth: his riches did not save him, as verse 2 said.

What lessons does Suratul Masad teach?

Suratul Masad teaches that faith and good deeds matter more than family ties, wealth or power.

• Family ties do not guarantee guidance: Abu Lahab was the Prophet’s uncle but rejected Islam.
• Wealth cannot protect from punishment: money is useful only when used for good.
• Opposition to truth fails: Islam grew despite powerful enemies.
• Spouses influence each other: couples should encourage each other to do good.
• Allah’s justice is perfect: no one escapes it, however powerful.
• Gossip is harmful: Umm Jamil is condemned for spreading slander.
• Comfort for believers: Allah knows those who harm His servants and defends His religion.

How can we apply Suratul Masad in daily life?

We apply the surah by accepting good advice, speaking kindly and using our wealth and influence well.

• Accept advice: listen to those who invite us to goodness, and do not mock them.
• Avoid gossip: do not spread rumours or harmful words about others.
• Influence others well: lead family and friends to good, not evil.
• Use resources well: spend wealth and use position for good purposes.
• Stand for truth: stay firm even when powerful people oppose you.
• Remember accountability: our actions in this life decide our reward in the Hereafter.

Evaluation

1. What are the two names of Suratul Masad and what do they mean?
2. Who was Abu Lahab and how was he related to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)?
3. What event led to the revelation of this surah?
4. Give the two meanings of “carrier of firewood” in verse 4.
5. State three lessons we can learn from Suratul Masad.

Assignment

Write out the English translation of the five verses of Suratul Masad in your exercise book. Then choose one lesson from the surah and explain how you can apply it at home or in school.