Abu Lahab

Abu Lahab was a paternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ who, far from supporting him like Abu Talib, was one of his most virulent opponents. The Quran dedicates a short surah to him announcing his ruin, as well as that of his wife.

When the Prophet ﷺ climbed the hill of as-Safa to openly call his clan to Islam, Abu Lahab was the first to publicly insult him, breaking the Arab codes of family respect.

He constantly opposed the preaching, and his wife Umm Jamil spread thorns on the Prophet's ﷺ path to hurt him. In response to this hostility, God revealed Surah al-Masad, condemning Abu Lahab and his wife.

One remarkable point, often noted: this surah announced his ruin during his lifetime. Had he, even for calculation, feigned embracing Islam to refute the Quran, he would have contradicted the revelation. He never did — confirming the truthfulness of the announcement.

The story of Abu Lahab shows that neither the bond of blood, nor wealth, nor rank saves those who knowingly oppose the truth. 'His wealth and his deeds will be of no avail to him.'

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ ۝ مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ

Que soit perdu Abou Lahab ! Et il est bel et bien perdu. Ses richesses et ses œuvres ne lui seront d’aucune utilité.

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