A Picture of Fate of Islam’s Enemies in Surah Al-Masad
Those making such sacrilegious moves will certainly be severely punished by God. And this is what the Holy Quran has emphasized, including in Surah Al-Masad.
Al-Masad is the 111th Surah of the Quran that has 5 verses and is in the 30th Juz.
It is Makki and the 6th chapter revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
It is called al-Masad, because the word al-Masad (twisted strands or palm fiber) comes in the last verse.
The Surah was revealed at the time when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had begun his open invitation to Islam. All of the chapter is about a person named Abu Lahab and his wife.
It talks about what they did, the fact that they will perish, and the punishment awaiting them in hell.
This is the only chapter of the Quran in which one of Islam’s enemies is named.
The content of the Surah shows that Abu Lahab and his wife demonstrated major enmity against Islam and harassed the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in different ways.
The couple were among special enemies of the Prophet (PBUH) and spent a lot of money to prevent the spread of Islam. That is why the Surah curses them. Some interpreters believe that the curse is not just for the two but it explains the fate of enemies of Islam in general and Abu Lahab and his wife are cited as examples.
The Surah calls Umm Jamil, Abu Lahab’s wife, as bearer of firewood. There are different views among interpreters about this. One view is that she collected thorns from the desert and laid them on the path of the Prophet (PBUH).
Another description for Abu Lahab’s wife is that she “shall have a rope of palm fiber around her neck!” (Verse 5)
Some interpreters says this is about her life in this world. While other women had a necklace made of gold, the wife of Abu Lahab had one made with palm fiber, which is somehow a contemptuous view of her.
Some others say it pictures how she will enter hell and that is an example of the fate of men and women who are openly hostile to Islam.
