Revealed in Makkah when Abu Lahab, the Prophet's uncle, publicly cursed him, Surah Al-Masad (The Palm Fiber) serves as a stern divine response. It predicts the complete ruin and entry into Hellfire of Abu Lahab and his wife, Um Jamil, who actively participated in persecuting the Prophet by scattering thorns in his path, depicting her carrying firewood with a rope of palm-fiber around her neck.
Transliteration
Tabbat yada abee lahabin watabba
Translation
Condemned are the hands of Abee Lahab, and he is condemned
Revealed when the Prophet ﷺ stood atop Mount Safa summoning the clans to monotheism, and his uncle Abu Lahab shouted: 'May you perish for the rest of the day! Did you gather us for this?' God revealed: 'May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and he has perished!' A stunning prophecy: Abu Lahab and his wife lived over a decade after this verse and never even faked conversion to disprove the Quran.
Transliteration
Ma aghna AAanhu maluhu wama kasaba
Translation
His wealth did not avail him, nor did what he acquired
Notes that Abu Lahab's vast business fortunes, social status, and children could not protect him from divine disgrace or save him from a humiliating death.
Transliteration
Sayasla naran thata lahabin
Translation
He will burn in a Flaming Fire
A play on his title 'Abu Lahab' (Father of Flame): he was named for his bright, ruddy complexion, but his ultimate destiny will be to burn in a raging Fire of fierce flames.
Transliteration
Waimraatuhu hammalata alhatabi
Translation
And his wife—the firewood carrier
Condemns Abu Lahab's wealthy wife, Umm Jamil, who spitefully carried thorny desert brambles and scattered them along the dark pathways where the Prophet ﷺ walked to pierce his feet.
Transliteration
Fee jeediha hablun min masadin
Translation
Around her neck is a rope of thorns
Describes her ultimate poetic retribution in the afterlife: around her neck will be a coarse, burning rope of twisted palm fibers ('Masad'), replacing the lavish jeweled necklace she once swore to sell to fund persecution against Muslims.