Al-Masad (ٱلْمَسَد)

Surah Al-Masad (الْمَسَد) is the 111^th surah of the Quran. It is a short surah, comprising five verses. It is the only Surah of the Quran, where one of the arch enemies of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is mentioned by name, i.e., Abu Lahab, who also happened to be his uncle. The wife of Abu Lahab is also mentioned in this Surah, without naming her. Both of them are known for their persistent, aggressive attitude towards the Prophet, which included mental, as well as physical, torment. This Surah describes the fate of both of them, in the backdrop of their extreme persecutive behavior, towards the Prophet. The name of the Surah is taken from the last word of the last verse of this Surah. Al-Masad is an Arabic expression that can be translated to "Palm Fiber". It also translates to "Twisted Strands."

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Abu Lahab was one of the uncles of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Unlike other uncles of the Prophet, Abu Lahab was deadly against him. In the then prevailing tribal Arabian culture, which was marked by bloodshed, plunder, and chaos, it was a norm and practice that everyone used to support and stand firm with their fellow tribesmen, especially the close blood relatives, to protect each other against the enemies. Hence, it was expected that Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, would come up to support his nephew, instead of becoming one of his extreme enemies.

The enmity of Abu Lahab started when the Prophet publicly disclosed his Prophethood and invited Meccans to worship only One God, instead of self-made Idols. It is also mentioned in Hadith 4770 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. Per some traditions, one day, Abu Lahab asked the Prophet how he would benefit if he accepted the new religion. The Prophet told him that he would get what other believers get. At this, he got angry, saying, May this religion perish, where I and others get the same status. This was the start of the aggression of Abu Lahab, not only against his nephew, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, but also against Islam. The immediate reaction came from him when he ordered his two sons to divorce their wives, who were the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

Abu Lahab’s home was adjacent to that of the Prophet. He and his wife started teasing the Prophet. They used to spread thorns in front of the Prophet's house. They would throw filth on him when he was praying. They often put dirt in his food. The height of his hatred with the Prophet was that on the sad incident of the death of the Prophet's sons, one after the other, he joyfully announced that the Prophet had become "abtar” (childless).

This was the level of hatred and enmity of Abu Lahab with the Prophet, which resulted in the revelation of Surah Al-Masad. The purpose of its revelation was to condemn his enmity and foretell his and his wife's fate. 

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Masad was revealed during the Prophet Muhammad's صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ stay in Mecca. The historical background and the content of the Surah also support that it is a Makki Surah.

Place in the Quran

It is the 111^th Surah of the Quran and appears in Juzz (para) 30. It appears before Surah Al-Ikhlas and after Surah An-Nasr. Per the order of revelation, it is the 6^th Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it also falls at number 111. Within the 30^th Juzz, it comes at number 34.  

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-Masad has 5 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Masad consists of 1 Ruku (section).

Significance of Surah Al-Masad

Surah Al-Masad is one of the shortest Surahs of the Quran. It is a powerful surah, which emphasizes the fate of those who vigorously oppose the message of Islam, the message of truthfulness and righteousness. It serves as a warning to the enemies of Islam. Simultaneously, it is a sort of consolation to believers, promising Divine justice. Hence, it holds great importance in the Islamic teachings:

• It specifically and strongly condemns the enmity of Abu Lahab and his wife. Despite being an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, he was one of the enemies of Islam. His wife was equally hostile toward Islam and the Prophet.
• The Surah foretells the fate of both Abu Lahab and his wife. Abu Lahab died many years after the revelation of this Surah, but exactly as described in this Surah. It establishes that the Quran is a Divine Book.
• Surah Al-Masad serves as a message for us that arrogance, hostility, and stubbornness would always have consequences, as Abu Lahab and his wife had to face.
• It also proves that wealth and power cannot save anyone from a wrongful attitude, especially against the truth and righteousness.
• And finally, this surah reaffirms the prevalence of divine justice, irrespective of the status, wealth, and strength of the culprits.

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Masad

Surah Al-Masad describes some of the basic principles of Islamic theology. It condemns the hostility towards the message of Islam and the Prophet. The persecutive attitude of Abu Lahab and his wife is strongly condemned, which forms the basic theme of this surah. Simultaneously, the principle of divine punishment for the oppressors is also established, irrespective of their social status and wealth. Abu Lahab was one of the strong and powerful leaders of the disbelievers, but his fate is explicitly forecasted in this Surah, as he was the main opponent of Islam and the Prophet. The prediction of his miserable end proved true, even after many years of revelation of this Surah.

Another message of this Surah is the inevitability of Divine Justice. The severity of punishment and certainty of Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ justice is specifically mentioned in this surah, especially for those who consistently oppose the truth. The fate of those supporting the persecution, like that of Abu Lahab’s wife, is also described in it, establishing that the supporters of aggressors against truth and righteousness are also liable for punishment. It also establishes that no one is beyond accountability, even the close relatives of the Prophet, when it comes to Divine Justice. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Masad

Surah Al-Masad is a short but intense Surah of the Quran. It holds numerous virtues and benefits, both in a spiritual context and lessons, as well as in the form of Divine Warnings. However, there is no specific and authentic Hadith describing its recitation for a particular benefit; its significance can be ascertained in the powerful, clear message conveyed through its verses. Hence, reciting it might be virtuous, as is the case with other surahs of the Quran. Based on the traditions and recommendations of the scholars, some of the virtues and benefits of reciting this Surah can be summarized as follows:

1. It is a strong and meaningful reminder about divine justice. It also reminds us of the truthfulness of the Quran, being the divine book. Hence, reciting this surah, anytime during the day or night, is a rich source of strengthening Iman (faith).
2. This Surah is a strong warning for those who do not accept the Message of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ; rather, oppose it with arrogance. Hence, reciting it so often is a source of remaining committed against the oppression, while taking heed of Divine Warnings.
3. Reciting this Surah provides spiritual protection against those who are trying to harm us.
4. The Surah also describes the futility of wealth and social status. So, its recitation might be helpful for detaching ourselves from the worldly status, power, and wealth, while strictly relying only on Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
5. Recitation of this Surah also benefits us by making us understand how the Quran addresses historical and universal truths. In a way, it also strengthens our firm belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
6. As the surah describes the struggle and patience of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, it inculcates a sense of love and affection for him in the soul, while teaching us to display patience when facing hard times in practical life.
7. This Surah is a powerful source to strengthen our belief that truth will always prevail over falsehood.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Masad by Renowned Qaris

Listening to the recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al-Masad, is very important. Reciting the Quranic verses with correct pronunciation (tajweed) is also highly important, as any slight deviation in reading may change the meanings. It becomes even more difficult for non-Arabic speakers to correctly pronounce some of the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is a sensitive matter. Hence, listening to its recitation by a renowned and authentic Qari may help us in understanding the correct way of reading the Quran.

On the other hand, sometimes, one may just like to listen to the Quran, instead of reading. At MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by different renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the Mobile Application of the MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Masad.

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Surah Al-Masad PDF

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