When you read Surah Al-Lahab, it feels like the words are burning with truth. This short chapter of the Quran, revealed in the sacred city of Makkah, is more than a historical account. It is a mirror showing us what happens when pride and hatred stand in the way of guidance.
It was revealed about Abu Lahab, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a man whose heart was hardened by arrogance. Despite his closeness to the Prophet in family ties, he became one of the fiercest opponents of Islam. His rejection was not because he did not understand — it was because he could not bear to let go of his pride.
The Arabic Text of Surah Al-Lahab
اللَّهَبِ سُورَةُ
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ
Transliteration of Surah Al-Lahab
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
Tabbat yadā Abī Lahabin wa tabb
Mā aghnā ‘anhu māluhu wa mā kasab
Sayaṣlā nāran dhāta lahab
Wamra’atuhu ḥammālatal-ḥaṭab
Fī jīdihā ḥablum min masad
Meaning of Surah Al-Lahab in English
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!
His wealth and whatever he earned will not benefit him.
He will burn in a fire of blazing flame.
And his wife — the carrier of firewood —
Around her neck is a rope of twisted fiber.
The Story Behind the Revelation of Surah Al-Lahab
Abu Lahab’s opposition was relentless. When the Prophet ﷺ called his people to worship only Allah, Abu Lahab mocked him openly, even in front of strangers. His wife, Umm Jamil, spread harm and insult in her own way — carrying gossip and hostility as if it were firewood.
This surah came down like a clear, unshakable verdict. In just a few lines, Allah revealed the outcome of their arrogance, a prophecy that stood firm until their deaths. Neither wealth, nor social standing, nor family ties could save them.
Also Read : https://taqweemacademy.com/surah-al-bayyinah-transliteration/
Lessons We Carry Today
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Wealth Cannot Buy the Mercy of Allah – No matter how much we own, without faith, our possessions are powerless.
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Pride Destroys the Heart – The greatest barrier to truth is the ego that refuses to bow.
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Every Action Has a Weight – Supporting wrongdoing makes one a partner in it.
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Truth Will Always Outshine Falsehood – Even the loudest opposition cannot silence what Allah has decreed.
Why This Surah Speaks to Us Now
In our time, arrogance can wear many faces. It can be the quiet dismissal of religion, the loud mockery of faith, or the subtle belief that wealth makes us untouchable. Surah Al-Lahab reminds us that power without humility is fragile, and that turning away from truth is the surest path to ruin.
Quick Question Answers
What is Surah Al-Lahab about?
The downfall of Abu Lahab and his wife due to their opposition to Islam.
What is Surah Al-Lahab in English?
Surah Al-Lahab, also called Surah Al-Masad, is the 111th chapter of the Quran. In English, it speaks about the downfall of Abu Lahab and his wife for their opposition to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It teaches that wealth and status cannot save a person from Allah’s punishment if they reject the truth.
Is it called Surah Al-Masad or Surah Al-Lahab?
Both names refer to the same surah. “Surah Al-Lahab” means “The Flame,” highlighting the fiery punishment described in its verses, while “Surah Al-Masad” means “The Palm Fiber,” referring to the rope around the neck of Abu Lahab’s wife.
What is the translation of Surah Al-Lahab in Urdu?
Surah Al-Lahab’s Urdu translation explains that Abu Lahab’s hands are ruined, and neither his wealth nor gains will benefit him. He will enter a blazing fire, and his wife, who carried thorns to harm the Prophet ﷺ, will have a rope of palm fiber around her neck.
What are the benefits of Surah Al-Lahab?
While the surah primarily warns against pride and hostility toward truth, reciting it can strengthen faith, remind believers to avoid arrogance, and teach children about the consequences of rejecting Allah’s message. It also deepens one’s connection to the Quran’s historical and moral lessons.
How to recite Surah Al-Masad correctly?
To recite Surah Al-Masad, begin with Bismillah (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Read each verse slowly, following tajweed rules for proper pronunciation. Practice with a qualified Quran teacher to ensure accuracy in letters, elongations, and pauses.
What is the meaning of Surah Al-Lahab?
The surah warns that arrogance, pride, and hostility towards truth lead to ruin. It tells the story of Abu Lahab, a wealthy man who opposed Islam, showing that neither wealth nor family ties can protect someone from Allah’s judgment.
What is Surah Nasr and how is it connected to Surah Al-Lahab?
Surah Nasr speaks about the victory of Islam and people entering the faith in large numbers, while Surah Al-Lahab records the fate of one of Islam’s most stubborn opponents. Together, they highlight that truth will always triumph, and arrogance will always fail.
Also Read : https://taqweemacademy.com/surah-al-fatiha-benefits-guide/
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