Islam Guidance

Introduction

In the Name of Allah,the Beneficent,the Merciful
Sura Lahab
(The Flame)
No. 111 (5 Verses)
Contents of the Sura:
This Meccan Sura, which was revealed at the beginning of the open invitation to the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), contains the name of one of the enemies of Islam and the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), at that time, Abu Lahab, for whom a strong warning is given. The content of the Sura shows that he harbored a special enmity toward the Apostle and both he and his wife committed whatever vice they could against him.
The Qur'an clearly says that they both will enter Hell from which they cannot escape. This prophecy actually happened and finally they died without having faith in Islam. This is an explicit prediction of the Holy Qur'an.
It is cited in a tradition, that the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "He who recites it (Sura Lahab), I hope that Allah will not gather him and Abu Lahab in the same abode". (i.e., he will be in Paradise while Abu Lahab will be in Hell). (1)
The Virtue in Studying this Sura:
It is obvious that this virtue is of the person who, with reciting it, goes another way diverse from Abu Lahab's, not of the one who recites it with the tongue, but, acts like Abu Lahab.
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Occasion of the Revelation of the Sura:
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas that when the verse: "And admonish thy nearest kinsmen," (Sura Shuara, No. 26, verse 214), was revealed, the holy Prophet was commanded by Allah to gather his close relatives and announce, openly, the invitation of Islam for the first time, and that he was the apostle of Allah. Then, he climbed to the top of Mount Safa and called: /ya sabaha/, (This phrase was used to inform all people to prepare to defend themselves when an enemy was about to attack.)
When the people heard the call of Mohammad, they went to him. He pointed out the different Arab tribes by name and, addressing the assembly, asked: "If I tell you that there is a huge enemy army camping at the foot of this mountain, on the other side, will you believe me?"
The whole assembly unanimously said: "Certainly we will believe, for thou hast never told a lie". "Then", said the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.): "I have come from Allah as a warner to preach the Unity of the Lord". Hearing this, Abu Lahab exclaimed: "Perdition to thee! Was it for this that thou assembled us?" It was at that moment that this Sura was revealed, saying: "May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, may he (himself) perish".
The danger and enmity of Abu Lahab and his wife was not limited only to that action. They were the worst people of that time and the most habitual enemies of early Islam. That is why the Qur'an clearly and scornfully reproaches them. Some other details will be pointed out later, Allah willing.
 
(1) Majma'-al-Bayan, vol. 10, p. 558.

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