Surah Al-Masad (The Palm Fiber)

About Surah Al-Masad

Al-Masad, “The Palm Fiber”, also known as Al-Lahab or by its opening word Tabbat, is about Abu Lahab, an uncle of the Prophet who became one of his fiercest opponents. It declares that his efforts are ruined, that his wealth and gains will not save him, and describes his wife carrying firewood with a rope of palm fibre around her neck.

Occasion of revelation

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim describe how, when the Prophet was commanded to warn his relatives, he climbed the hill of Safa and called the clans of Quraysh. He asked whether they would believe him if he told them an army was behind the hill, and they said they had never known him to lie. He then warned them of a severe punishment ahead. Abu Lahab cursed him and asked whether he had gathered them only for this, and the surah was revealed.

Verse by verse

• Ruin (111:1): Abu Lahab’s hands perish, and he perishes.
• Wealth is no help (111:2): neither his money nor what he earned will benefit him.
• The flame (111:3): he will enter a fire of blazing flame — a play on his nickname, “father of flame”.
• His wife (111:4–5): the carrier of firewood, with a rope of twisted fibre on her neck.

Understanding the surah

His wife is identified in the sources as Umm Jamil. Commentators explain “carrier of firewood” either literally, as her scattering thorns in the Prophet’s path, or figuratively, as spreading malicious gossip that fuelled hostility. Commentators also note that Abu Lahab lived for years after this surah, yet never accepted Islam, as it had indicated. The surah shows that close family ties to a prophet bring no benefit without faith.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Abu Lahab?

An uncle of the Prophet Muhammad who strongly opposed his message; Surah Al-Masad was revealed about him and his wife.

What are the other names of Surah Al-Masad?

Al-Lahab and Tabbat, from its opening word.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Masad?

5.

How many ayahs are in Surah Al-Masad?

Surah Al-Masad has 5 ayahs. It is surah number 111 in the Quran and is Meccan.

Can I read Surah Al-Masad in English or save it as a PDF?

Yes. This page shows the Arabic text of every ayah with the Saheeh International English meaning under it. Use “Print / Save as PDF” for a clean printable copy that you can save as a PDF file from your browser.

Is Surah Al-Masad the same as Surah Masad?

Yes. Masad, Lahab, Tabbat and Al-Masad are different English spellings of the same surah name, المسد.

Summaries describe the surah’s content and commonly cited reports for general readers; they are not a tafsir or a religious ruling.