Lineage of Abu Lahab
Abu Lahab, whose full name is Abdul Uzza bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim Al-Qurashi, was a prominent chief of the Quraysh tribe and one of the most ardent opponents of Islam and its followers. He was also an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad and was known by the nicknames Abu Utbah and Abu Mu’tab. While both of his sons, Utbah and Mu’tab, accepted Islam, his third son, Utaibah, remained a disbeliever until his death. His mother was Lubnah, the daughter of Hajar bin Abdul Manaf bin Dhatar bin Habshiah bin Salul, hailing from the Khazraj tribe. Allah, the Almighty, foretold in the Holy Quran that he would die as a non-believer, stating: “He will burn in a fire of blazing flame.” This prophecy was fulfilled, as he passed away in disbelief. He is mentioned in the Quran by the name Abu Lahab, a title reflecting the fiery nature of his face.
Wife of Abu Lahab
Abu Lahab married Umm Jamil, the daughter of Harb bin Umayyah bin Abdul Shams. She is referred to in the Quran as “the one who carries firewood,” and her real name is Arwa. She was known as “the one-eyed” not because of a physical defect but rather due to her remarkable beauty. She was the sister of Abu Sufyan, and shared her brother’s animosity towards Islam and the Muslims. When she heard the words of Allah: “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!” she took a pile of stones and set out to confront the Prophet Muhammad, who was at the mosque near the Kaaba with Abu Bakr. Upon her arrival, Allah blinded her from seeing the Prophet. Asking Abu Bakr, she inquired, “Where is your companion? I heard he is speaking ill of me, and by God, if I find him, I will strike him with what I have in my hands.”
Children of Abu Lahab
Abu Lahab had three sons: Utbah, Mu’tab, and Utaibah, all of whom were referred to by him with affectionate titles. He also had a daughter named Durrat bint Abu Lahab. Utbah and Mu’tab embraced Islam on the day of the conquest of Mecca, showing great courage alongside the Prophet Muhammad during the Battle of Hunayn. They were also present during the Battle of Ta’if. Utbah was married to Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet, while Utaibah married Umm Kulthum. Following the revelation of the chapter “Al-Masad,” their parents commanded them to divorce the daughters of the Prophet, which they did. Subsequently, Uthman married Ruqayyah, and after her passing, he married her sister, Umm Kulthum.
After Utaibah divorced Umm Kulthum, he approached the Prophet and proclaimed, “I have disbelieved in your religion and divorced your daughter. You do not love me, and I do not love you.” He then ventured close to the Prophet, tearing his garment. The Prophet invoked a curse upon him, asking Allah to unleash a dog upon him. While he was on a trading expedition to the Levant, a lion approached and distinguished him, ultimately killing him. Abu Lahab famously remarked, “I knew he would not escape from Muhammad’s curse.”
Abu Lahab’s Hostility Towards the Prophet
Abu Lahab’s wife would carry thorns and wood, placing them in the path of the Prophet Muhammad to obstruct his way. This prompted Allah to reveal: “And his wife, the carrier of firewood, will have a rope of palm fiber around her neck.” Additionally, Abu Lahab actively resisted the Prophet in public gatherings, attempting to deter him from his divine mission.
The verses of Surah Al-Masad were revealed when the Prophet Muhammad was commanded to convey the message of revelation. When Allah said: “And warn your close relatives,” the Prophet ascended Mount Safa and called out to the various clans, gathering them together. When they assembled, he asked them, “If I were to tell you that there are cavalry rushing down from this mountain, would you believe me?” They replied, “We have never experienced any lies from you.” He then declared, “I am a warner to you of a tremendous punishment.” Abu Lahab then retorted, “May you perish! Is this why you gathered us?” And he walked away, leading to the revelation of Surah Al-Masad.
Death of Abu Lahab
Abu Lahab passed away seven days after the Battle of Badr. Some accounts suggest he died the day after the battle, having been affected by the shame and defeat experienced by the polytheists during the engagement, while others claim he died nine days thereafter.