This article talks about Surah Al-Masad. It starts with a brief introduction to the Surah, including its different names, its meanings, and whether it is Makki or Madani. It also talks about Asbab al-n-Nuzul, its Maksud, Surah Al-Masad translation and transliteration in English, and Surah Al-Masad Tafseer and its meaning in English. The article is enriched with lessons and benefits of Surah Al-Masad as well as stories from the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Here we will learn the following:
What is Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad is one of the most interesting Surahs in the Quran. It involves great stories from the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
It is a Makki Surah that gives an indication of the status of Islamic dawah at the very beginning and how polytheists responded to it.
The surah has several names; Surah Al-Masad transliteration, Surah Tabbat, Surah Abi-Lahab, Surah Al-lahab or Surah Lahab. ‘Al-Masad’ means a thick rope made of palm fiber. ‘Tabbat’ means perished or ruined, which is a referral to an enemy of the Prophet. ‘Abi-Lahab’ or ‘Lahab’ refers to the name of the Prophet’s enemy, who was -in fact- his own uncle.
Why Was Surah Al-Masad Revealed (Asbab al-n-Nuzul)?
Surah Al-Masad was revealed as a threat to Abi-Lahab and his wife. They used to harm the Prophet (PBUH) in several ways, such as disposing of rubbish and spines in his way, throwing him with stones, and ordering their sons to divorce the Prophet’s daughters. They used to throw bad words at the Prophet as the word ‘Tabbat,’ as we will further clarify later in Surah Al-Masad Tafseer.
Allah (SWT) responded to them in a great Surah that is recited till the day of judgment, threatening them with the worst of punishment in the hereafter for them harming the messenger of Allah (PBUH).
What is The Maksud of Surah Al-Masad?
The Maksud of Surah Al-Masad transliteration supports the Prophet (PBUH), deterring those who harm him and confirming the miracle of the Quran.
Supporting the Prophet by acknowledging Allah stands by him and responds to his enemies.
It is deterring those who cause him harm by threatening them with the worst punishment.
Last but not least, confirming the miracle of the Quran. Surah Al-Masad stated that Abi-Lahab would enter Hellfire. Abi-Lahab could falsely claim he believed in criticizing the Quran’s authenticity and truthfulness, but he didn’t. If the Quran was from other than Allah (The All-Knowing), the author wouldn’t dare to make such statements, as he wouldn’t be sure what would happen in the future.
Surah Al-Masad Translation and Transliteration in English (Verse by Verse)
Surah Al-Masad transliteration is among the smallest Surahs of the Quran present in Juz’ 30. It consists of five verses.
تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍۢ وَتَبَّ
Tabbat yadaa Abee Lahabinw-wa tabb
May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined, is he.
مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ
Maa aghnaa ‘anhu maaluhoo wa ma kasab
His wealth will not avail him or that which he gained.
سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًۭا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍۢ
Sa-yaslaa naaran zaata lahab
He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ حَمَّالَةَ ٱلْحَطَبِ
Wamra-atuhoo hammaa latal-hatab
And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood.
فِى جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌۭ مِّن مَّسَدٍۭ
Fee jeedihaa hablum mim-masad
Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber.
What is the Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad and its Meaning in English?
The Tafseer of Surah Masad is very interesting. It consists of some unique Arabic words that are only present in Benefits of Surah Al-Masad, such as ‘Masad’ and Tabbat.’ It also involves the name of one of the worst enemies of the Prophet (PBUH).
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad, verse by verse.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad Verse #1
‘Tabbat’ means perished or ruined. ‘Yadaa’ means the two hands. ‘Abi-Labab’ is the name of the Prophet’s (PBUH) uncle who harmed him. ‘Wa Tabb’ means perished or ruined he himself (Abi-Lahab).
This verse is a response to Abi-Lahab after he said to the Prophet, ‘Tabban Lak’ means perished you. That was when the Prophet (PBUH) stood on an elevation on the Safa Mountain in Makkah to call people to Islam after Allah has revealed, “And warn ˹all, starting with˺ your closest relatives” (Quran 26:214) (Sahih Al-Bukhari 4973)
Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad Verse #2
‘Maa aghnaa ‘anhu maaluhoo wa ma kasab’ means that his wealth and whatever he gained will not support him or protect him against his deserved punishment. This shows that no wealth, family, or children avail anyone if he didn’t believe.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad Verse #3
‘Sa-yaslaa naaran zaata lahab’ means Abu Lahab will be put in Hellfire with ‘Lahab,’ which means blazing flame. ‘Lahab’ is compatible with his name, ‘Abi-Lahab,’ which shows the magnificence of the Quran.
This verse is a threat to Abi-Lahab and those who follow his path. Those people who reject the Truth and harm others who call for it -for sure- deserve a great punishment from Allah.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad Verse #4
‘Wamra-atuhoo hammaa latal-hatab’ means his wife is the one who carries rocks and stones. The verse refers to ‘Om-Jameel’ the wife of Abi-Lahab, as she used to harm the Prophet (PBUH) much as her husband.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad Verse #5
‘Fee jeedihaa hablum mim-masad’ means that in fire, there will be a rope made with palm-fibre tied around her neck in the hereafter. That’s why the Surah has the name of ‘Surah Al-Masad’ as a referral to the punishment of ‘Om-Jameel.’
Stories Related to Surah Al-Masad from Sunnah
Several stories in the sunnah describe the bad deeds of Abi-Lahab’s family.
After Benefits of Surah Al-Masad was revealed, Abi-Lahab’s wife went to throw a big stone at the Prophet (PBUH). However, she didn’t see him although he was in front of her!
When Abi-Lahab’s son (Otayba) divorced the Prophet’s daughter, he said, “I disbelieved in you and your religion,” and tore the Prophet’s cloth. The Prophet (PBUH) prayed that Allah would send one of his dogs for him. While Otayba was on a trade journey to Syria, a big lion came across him and ate him!
What Are The Lessons of Surah Al-Masad?
The lessons of Surah Al-Masad are various and many. It includes lessons for Muslims and non-muslims and shows the Quran couldn’t be from other than Allah.
“Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.” (Quran 4:82)
1. The Prophet (PBUH) Faced a lot of Great Difficulties in Dawah
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) tolerated a lot of difficulties in delivering Allah’s message and other messengers of Allah.
Anyone following the Prophet’s path (PBUH) to guide people to the Truth should bear in mind he would face difficulties or even get tortured by the enemies of Allah.
However, these people will greatly reward Allah for their patience for his sake, and they will have the advantage of joining Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Paradise.
2. Don’t Harm anyone who guides you to the Truth
That’s for both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Whenever someone advises you for the sake of Allah, accept it, no matter your position or your wealth. It is one of the worst deeds to reject good advice, moreover to harm the advisor!
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said Islam is the religion of good advice for the sake of Allah. He said firstly; that the advice should be for the Muslim Imams (Leaders) and then for the whole community. It shows that as you get higher in your position, you need more and more advice. (Sunan an-Nasa’i 4199)
3. Respond to Haters strongly and Smartly.
The Quran teaches us how to deal with several people and how to respond to haters. The Quran brings up a strong Muslim who feels the dignity of his religion and his belief in Allah (SWT).
In Surah Al-Masad, the Quran responded to Abi-Lahab with the same word he said to the Prophet (PBUH) which is ‘Tabbat.’ It also threatened him with punishment for rejecting people from the true religion of Allah and harming His messenger.
A Muslim should live with dignity, respond strongly and smartly, and never transgress.
4. Neither wealth Nor lineage avail anyone
Wealth, position, and family don’t support anyone before Allah or protect Him against His punishment if he disbelieves and rejects the Truth.
Abi-Lahab was a wealthy man with a high position in Makkah and a direct uncle to the Prophet (PBUH) as well. However, he was promised a great punishment from Allah due to his deeds.
Allah says in the Quran: “It is not your wealth or children that bring you closer to Us. But those who believe and do good” (Quran 34:37)
The Prophet (PBUH) confirmed this meaning and called upon his family members, including his beloved daughter, and told them their relation to him doesn’t avail them of Allah. (Sunan an-Nasa’i 3647)
This confirms that Islam is a final universal message for all human beings in equity. If Islam were a religion claimed by prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or by any other, it would have some specialties for his own family and relatives. However, it didn’t.
It would also mention the Prophet’s relatives in a more dignified context. However, the Quran insisted on people’s preferences based on belief and righteous deeds, not any other. (Quran 34:37)
5. The penalty is consistent with one’s deeds.
The reward/punishment of anyone will be consistent with his own deeds. The punishment of Abi-Lahab and his wife is a consequence of what they did.
The more one transgresses, harm, or kill others, The more severe his penalty is.
6. Surah Al-Masad confirms the Quran’s Miracle
As we previously clarified, Surah Al-Masad shows the Quran miracle and the Truth of Islam in several ways.
Firstly, The Quran clearly stated in Surah Al-Masad that Abi-Lahab would enter Hellfire, and Abi-Lahab didn’t believe till his death, although he could falsely do so.
Secondly, the Quran confirmed the equity among all people and the preference based on belief and righteousness with no preference for anyone, even if a close relative to the Prophet (PBUH).
Thirdly, The Quran describes the story of Abi-Lahab and his punishment in a few, simple, comprehensive verses that confirm the linguistic miracle of the Quran.
You can also find the tafseer of the following surahs helpful:
- Best Tafseer Surah Al-Falaq – Lessons, Benefits, and Maqsud
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- Learn All About Surah Al-Fil – 2022 Best Guide
- Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar, Asbab Al-Nuzul, Maksud, Lessons, and Benefits
- Top 10 Practical Lessons And Benefits of Surah Al-Fatihah
- Learn All You Need to Know About Tafseer Surah Al-Ikhlas
- Best Tafseer Surah Al-Naas – Maksud, Benefits, And Lessons
What Are The Benefits of Surah Al-Masad?
The benefit of Surah Al-Masad is that it is one of the surahs of the Quran. A single letter is worth a hasana (reward), and a hasana is ten times its value to many duplicates. There is no known authentic specific benefit of recitation of Surah Al-Masad. However, it is a great Surah lahab tafseer that is worth your recitation and understanding.
Conclusion | What is the General Meaning of Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad is one of the most interesting Surahs in the Quran; that is full of lessons and life applications. A Makki Surah lahab tafseer reveals the status of Islamic dawah at the very beginning.
The article also discussed the Tafseer of Surah Al-Masad in a simple yet comprehensive way that enables you to understand the Surah perfectly. Don’t hesitate to contact Virtues of Surah Lahab Benefits to learn Tafseer and Islamic studies online.
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