About Surah Lahab
This surah is known as Al-Lahab, after Abu Lahab, who is named in the first verse, and as Al-Masad (“Palm Fibre”), from its final verse. quran.com lists it as Al-Masad. It is a Makki surah, revealed in Makkah before the Prophet’s migration to Madinah. In the revelation-order list used by quran.com, it is number 6 of 114. In the order of the Mushaf it comes after Surah An-Nasr and before Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Main Themes of Surah Lahab
The surah is unique in condemning an opponent of Islam by name, and the notes explain the reason.
- It is the only place in the Quran where an opponent of Islam is condemned by name.
- Abu Lahab was the Prophet’s own uncle, yet he opposed him fiercely, against the strong Arab custom of standing by one’s kin.
- His wealth and what he had gained would not save him.
- The notes explain that this public condemnation showed there is no favouritism in faith: ties of blood do not outweigh belief or disbelief.
Learn Surah Lahab with Tajweed
Smart Quran Academy offers one-to-one online classes in which qualified teachers listen to your recitation and correct it gently. Learn Surah Lahab with the rules of Tajweed, memorize it in our memorization classes, and request a free trial lesson when you are ready. Teachers work on the articulation points of the letters, the rules of noon and meem sakinah, and the correct length of each madd.
