Abu Lahab: The Uncle of the Prophet
Abu Lahab, known by his full name Abdul Uzza bin Abdul Muttalib Al-Qurashi Al-Hashimi, was one of the uncles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He is infamously recognized as one of the staunchest opponents of Islam and a source of great suffering for the Prophet. In fact, Allah revealed Surah Al-Masad to condemn him and his wife, threatening them with a severe punishment. Abu Lahab’s demise was marked by a divine affliction, where he contracted a disease known as “al-Adasah,” resembling the plague, characterized by painful sores on the body, from which few survived. This illness was regarded by the Arabs as highly contagious, leading his children to keep their distance until his death. He remained unburied for three days, isolated from others. Eventually, out of fear of social reproach, his family dug a grave and pushed his body in with a stick, covering him with stones and dirt from a distance.
The Uncles of the Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had eleven uncles, including notable figures such as Hamza, known as Abu Umarah and referred to as “the Lion of Allah and His Messenger,” who was older than the Prophet by two to four years. Abbas, one of the younger uncles, was two or three years younger than the Prophet. Abdul Manaf is also noteworthy, as he was Abu Talib, who raised and protected the Prophet after the death of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib. Other uncles included Abu Lahab, Al-Zubair, Abdul Kaaba, Al-Muqawq and Dhu-l-Abs, recognized as some of the most handsome youth of Quraysh. Quthum, Al-Mughira (nicknamed Al-Hajal), and Al-Ghaidaq, also known as Musab or Nufail, who was notably the wealthiest among the Quraysh, rounded out the group. Additionally, some sources mention Al-‘Awam. Interestingly, the oldest uncle was Al-Harith, while only four of them witnessed the advent of Islam: Hamza and Abbas embraced the faith, while both Abu Talib and Abu Lahab remained unbelievers.
Abu Jahl
Abu Jahl, whose full name was Abu al-Hakam Amr bin Hisham bin Al-Mughirah Al-Makhzoom, earned the infamous title of “Father of Ignorance.” He was one of the most prominent leaders of the Quraysh and displayed intense animosity towards Islam and the Messenger. He was infamously known for proposing the assassination of the Prophet by enlisting a young man from each tribe to undertake the task. Moreover, he was responsible for the tragic death of the first martyr in Islam, Sumayyah, the mother of Ammar bin Yasir. His life came to an end during the Battle of Badr, where he was killed by Mu’adh bin Afra and Mu’adh bin Amr bin Al-Jamuh. Following his defeat, Abdullah bin Mas’ud approached him in his final moments, ensuring his death by decapitating him.