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Surah: Al-Masad (1)
Surah Al-Masad — Abu Lahab's Curse Against the Prophet
تَبَّتۡ يَدَآ أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
— المسد الآية 1
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Agreed Upon):
When "And warn your nearest kinsmen" (26:214) was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ climbed Mount Safa and called the Qurayshi clans by name until they gathered, then warned them of a severe punishment ahead. Abu Lahab — the Prophet's uncle — said angrily: "Ruination to you all day! Is this why you gathered us?" So was revealed: "May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and perish he."
Significance:
When "And warn your nearest kinsmen" (26:214) was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ climbed Mount Safa and called the Qurayshi clans by name until they gathered, then warned them of a severe punishment ahead. Abu Lahab — the Prophet's uncle — said angrily: "Ruination to you all day! Is this why you gathered us?" So was revealed: "May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and perish he."
Significance:
- The word "tabbat" (perish) used against the Prophet was turned back on Abu Lahab himself — the Quran used his own word against him
- The surah predicted he would die as a disbeliever — and he did, weeks after Badr, with no repentance
- His wife is described as "the carrier of firewood" — for spreading harmful gossip and discord
- This surah is among the greatest proofs of prophethood — it foretold the unseen and it came true
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (4971), Sahih Muslim (208) — Ibn Abbas — Agreed Upon
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How does Surah Al-Masad serve as evidence of prophethood?
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