Commentary on Sūrat al-Masad

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“May the hands of Abū Lahab perish, and may he perish! * Neither his wealth nor his gains will benefit him. * He will burn in a flaming Fire, * as will his wife, the carrier of firewood, * around whose neck will be a rope of palm fiber.”

The basmala was discussed previously.

This Quran contains abundant evidence clearly demonstrating that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—is indeed a true messenger. He was not seeking kingship, prestige, or leadership over his people. The Prophet’s uncles fell into three categories in their stance toward him and toward his Lord, Glorified and Exalted:

One group believed in him, strove alongside him, and submitted to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

Another group supported and assisted him while remaining in disbelief.

A third obstinately resisted and opposed him, and remained in disbelief.

The first category included al-Abbās ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib. The latter was superior to the former, for he was one of the finest martyrs in the sight of Allah, Glorified and Exalted. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—described him as the Lion of Allah and the Lion of His Messenger (1). May Allah be pleased with him; he was martyred at Uhud in the second year after the Hijrah (2).