Encyclopedia of the Holy Quran

Abu Lahab ‘Abdul Uzza bin 'Abdul Muttalib
Suhel Farooq Khan

TAbu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib was one of the uncles of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. He is the only enemy of Islam, mentioned in the Holy Qur-an by name.

Allah (God) sent his Message to the world at different times, using different Rusul (Messengers) to carry His Message to different parts of the world.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S brought the last Message of Allah (God) and no other Rasul (Messenger) would come after him.

Initially, close relatives and friends of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S responded positively to Allah (God)’s Message.

After a while, during the early days of Islam, Allah (God) revealed the following Ayat (Verses) to His last Messenger, Muhammad S.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S climbed the hill of Safa near the Ka’bah, and called his people. His relatives and tribesmen gathered near him. He asked his relatives," If I tell you that an army is marching towards you with intentions to attack us from the other side of this mountain, will you believe me?"

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S said, "I am warning you all, of a severe punishment that is coming, if you will not follow the path of Allah (God)."

Abu Lahab got very upset at it, he thought that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S had wasted their time. He cursed the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S and went away.

Surah (Chapter) al-Masad (The Palm Rope) was revealed shortly after this incident. This Surah (Chapter) is also known as Surah (Chapter) al-Lahab (Qur-an 111).

Surah al-Lahab is a Makkan Surah. A Surah revealed in Makkah before that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S had migrated to Madinah, is called a Makkan Surah.

He was one of the sons of 'Abdul Muttalib. His mother Lubna bint Hajir was from Khuza'ah tribe.

People from the Khuza'ah tribe were the caretakers of the Ka'bah for several centuries, before the Quraysh took over the responsibility through their ancestor Qusayy bin ‘Abd Manaf.

The real name of Abu Lahab was 'Abdul 'Uzza bin ‘Abdul Muttalib. Abu means father and Lahab means fire. Abu Lahab means father of fire.

He got this nickname Abu Lahab because of his a very fair complexion and red face.

He and his wife Arwa bint Harb were among the worst enemies of Islam and the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S.

Before the advent of Islam, two daughters of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S were married to two sons of Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib.

Ruqayyah R bint Muhammad S was married to 'Utbah bin Abu Lahab and Umm Kulthum R bint Muhammad S was married to 'Utaybah bin Abu Lahab.

Both daughters of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S stayed with their parents after their Nikah (Marriage), because they were under age. They were married at an early age, following the Arab tribal traditions.

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib was furious after the revelation of Surah (Chapter) al-Masad (The Palm Rope). He immediately asked his sons to divorce the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, to avenge his insult.

In the early days of Islam, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S used to go to the people of different Arab tribes who used to stay in various bazaars setup at the time of the annual pilgrimage to the Ka'bah.

There he used to invite people to the path of Allah (God) after introducing himself as His last Rasul (Messenger).

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib used to follow the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S everywhere. He would meet the same people, soon after the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S had invited them to the path of Allah (God). Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib used to tell them that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S is a liar and had lost his mental balance, since he had deserted the religion of their forefathers.

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib tried to convince those people that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was inviting them to trouble.

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib was very cruel to his nephew, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib used to chase and hit him with stones in those markets. Once he hit the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S so hard that his feet began to bleed profusely and his slippers were filled with his own blood causing great pain and difficulty in walking.

This behavior of Abu Lahab bin ‘Abdul Muttalib was very unusual in that society because uncles used to be very kind to their nephews. This kind of cruel behavior of Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib with his orphaned nephew did not follow the norms of that society. Arabs were known for taking care of their relatives.

When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was boycotted from Makkah, the entire clan of Banu (Family of) Hashim supported him and suffered under the harsh Arabian sun by living in the open for three years.

Most of the members of Banu (Family of) Hashim had not accepted Islam at that time.

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib was the only member of Banu (Family of) Hashim who supported the boycott and did not join his clan.

Arwa bint Harb the wife of Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib was also an enemy of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. She was one of the sisters of Abu Sufyan bin Harb R, another enemy of Islam and the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, before converting to it.

Arwa bint Harb, the wife of Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib, used to bring bushes with thorns. She used to scatter them in front of the door of his neighbor, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to hurt him and his children.

When atrocities of Quraysh increased, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S and Muslims had to migrate to Yathrib (Madinah).

Abu Lahab bin 'Abdul Muttalib died of small pox in the year 2H (Hijrah) (623 AD). No one dared to touch his body and he was buried after caving in the roof and walls of the room over his body.