Exegesis of Al-Masad (Q. 111)

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful the Most Gracious... He, may Allah be merciful to him, was asked about the statement of Allah: {Perished be the hands of Abu Lahab and perished be he} (Q. 111:1). {Abu Lahab} is „Abdul-„Uzza bin „Abdul-Muttalib. {Perished} connotes: Disappointed and lost regarding that which was hoped for and supposed. The {hands} refer to the two hands known. It is a simile used to denote a being Disappointed and lost regarding what he seeks. And {perished be he} means: Abu Lahab, regarding that which he has from his affairs and his riches. {His money will not help him or that which he earns} represents: His money and earnings that will not suffice him when Allah maims And ruins him for his deviance and deeds. {He shall burn in a fire of flame}. The {flame} refers to a great combustion and ignited fire all the same. {...and his wife, the bearer of firewood} His wife will perish with him with a perishing of ruin and annihilation. The term {bearer of firewood} means: the bearer of slander and defamation; Because she used to lie on Allah‟s Messenger, peace be on him and his kin. She used to come to her husband with it and used to relate those lies to him. She also related it to other disbelievers, like what is this and that, In order to invalidate him by means of her lies and her false chats. She increased in her slander and lie-spreading about Allah‟s Messenger, Peace and blessings be on him and his progeny, just as that of liars and tale-bearers. {Around her collar is a rope of twisted cord (masad)} The term {her collar} means: her neck. The {collar} amongst women Refers to that which is at the farthest extremity of the neck‟s length. The term {rope of twisted cord} is: a strong, fresh rope or one of straps. A strap is made from the leather of a camel, and is the strongest cord, in fact. It is a simile used to denote one who carries lies or false testimony So that they are met by the people with feelings of evil and enmity. Some who have explained what we‟ve said regarding Abu Lahab‟s mate Say that her "bearing the firewood" refers to the thorns she would take. She used to throw them in the path of Allah‟s Messenger; And that {rope of twisted cord} is: palm fibre roped together.

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