Surah Al-Masad is considered one of the surahs that include a warning to the enemies of Islam of the consequences of their bad deeds and the uselessness of money and wealth in the face of truth
It also gives a practical lesson about the fulfillment of God’s punishment for those who are recalcitrant and anti-Islam in this world and the hereafter and teaches believers that despite the difficulties of battle, God will ultimately protect and support them. In this article, we explain to you the interpretation of Surat Al-Masad, the reasons for its revelation, and the virtue of reading it.
The history and reasons for the descent of Surah Al-Masad
Surah Al-Masad was revealed in response to the plot of Abu Lahab and his wife, who were fierce enemies of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and were subjected to abuse, insults and insults.
Al-Bukhaari narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that he said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to Batha and went up the mountain and called out, ‘O morning,’ and Quraish met him, and he said, ‘See, if I told you that the enemy is your companion or your Messiah, would you believe me?’ They said yes, he said: I am a harbinger for you in the hands of severe torment, and Abu Lahab said: Is this what brought us together? Screw you!! And I went down, ‘The hands of my Father shall repent, and repent.'”
Meanings of Surat Al-Masad
Surah Al-Masad talks about the fate of Abu Lahab and his wife in the hereafter, where they will be tortured in the fire of hell, in the first verse,
the surah declares that Abu Lahab has lost this world and the hereafter, where his hands repented and repented, that is, his money and prestige did not benefit him in this world, and they will not benefit him in the hereafter, and in the second verse, the surah confirms that Abu Lahab will enter the fire, where he will make a fire with flame.
In the third verse, the surah talks about the wife of Abu Lahab, where he mentions that she used to carry firewood and throw it in the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the surah says to her: And his wife is the bearer of firewood, that is, she will be in the hereafter carrying wood to the fire of hell. In the fourth verse,
the surah confirms that Abu Lahab’s wife will be dragged in a rope from Massad to the fire, and in the fifth and final verse, the surah confirms once again that Abu Lahab and his wife will be tortured in the fire of hell.
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Virtues of Surah Al-Masad
The virtue of Surah Al-Masad states the following:
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They protect from fire
It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he said: “Whoever recites Surah Tibet by the hands of Abu Lahab and repents, I hope that Allaah will not bring him and Abu Lahab together in one house.”
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It assures the Muslim that money does not work
In the first verse of the surah, the surah declares that Abu Lahab has lost this world and the hereafter, where his hands repent and repent, that is, his money and prestige did not benefit him in this world, and they will not benefit him in the hereafter.
Therefore, it is recommended to read Surah Al-Masad daily, especially in the morning and evening, in order to obtain its virtues and benefits, and the following are some hadiths contained in the virtue of Surat Al-Masad:
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Masad (Tabbat Yada Abi Lahab) and Surah At-Takathur, Allah will grant him the reward of the righteous, and for every verse he recites, he will be rewarded as if he has freed a slave.”
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “Surah Al-Masad (Tabbat Yada Abi Lahab) and Surah At-Takathur were revealed regarding Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil. The Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Al-Bat-ha and climbed the mountain, then he called out, ‘O people of Quraysh! What if I inform you that the enemy is about to attack you in the morning or evening, would you believe me?’ They replied, ‘Yes, we would believe you.’ He said, ‘Then I am warning you of a severe punishment.’ Abu Lahab said, ‘Is this why you gathered us? May you perish!’ Then the verse ‘Perish the hands of Abu Lahab’ was revealed.”
Read also about: Surah Al-Asr
Benefits of reading Surat Al-Masad
In addition to the virtues mentioned above, reading Surah Al-Masad has many benefits, including:
- Remind the Muslim of God’s power and greatness, and that God does not accept their deeds from the disbelievers.
- Strengthening the Muslim’s faith, and increasing his certainty in God’s promise and punishment.
- Cleansing the Muslim heart of hatred and hatred.
- Feeling comfortable and reassured when reading the surah, because it confirms that God gives victory to His faithful servants.
Tafsir of Surah Al-Masad
Surah Al-Masad is the 111th surah in the Holy Qur’an, and is considered Meccan. The surah bears the name “Al-Masad”, a title that refers to one of the fierce enemies of Islam in Mecca, Abu Lahab, and was considered one of the fiercest stubborn of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.
At the beginning of the spread of Islam, Surat Al-Masad consists of 5 short verses, and generally discusses God’s punishment for the enemies of truth and Islam. Here is the interpretation of the content of the surah verse by verse:
Read also about: Surah Al-Nasr
May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he.
His wealth will not avail him or that which he gained.
He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame
And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood.
Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber.
تَبَّتۡ يَدَآ أَبِي لَهَبٖ وَتَبَّ (1) مَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ (2) سَيَصۡلَىٰ نَارٗا ذَاتَ لَهَبٖ (3) وَٱمۡرَأَتُهُۥ حَمَّالَةَ ٱلۡحَطَبِ (4) فِي جِيدِهَا حَبۡلٞ مِّن مَّسَدِۭ (5)
Verse 1: “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab and perish he!”
This verse means “The hands of Abu Lahab will perish, and he will be doomed.” It signifies the painful end and destruction of Abu Lahab, who was counted among the enemies of Islam.
Verse 2: “His wealth and what he has earned will not avail him.”
This verse means “His wealth and what he has earned will not benefit him.” This verse indicates that the wealth and acquisitions of Abu Lahab will not be of any use to him in this world or the hereafter, and he will be exposed to the punishment of Allah.
Verse 3: “He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame.”
This verse means “He will enter a Fire of blazing flame.” This verse points to the punishment of hellfire that will afflict Abu Lahab in the hereafter, where he will be exposed to fire and torment.
Verse 4: “And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood.”
This verse means “And his wife, who carries firewood.” This verse reminds that Abu Lahab’s wife, Fatimah bint Abdul Aziz, will be carrying bundles of firewood on her back as a punishment for her support and assistance to her husband in opposing the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Verse 5: “Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber.”
This verse means “Around her neck is a rope of twisted fiber.” Here, the Quran indicates that Abu Lahab’s wife will be harnessed with a rope made of twisted fiber around her neck as another punishment for her actions.
Read also about: Tafsir of Surah Al-Fatiha
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