Abu Lahab ibn Abdul-Muttalib "Uncle of the Prophet"
Abu Lahab and His Lineage
Abu Lahab, whose real name was Abdul Uzza ibn Abdul Muttalib, was one of the uncles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He belonged to the disbelieving tribe of Quraysh and had numerous instances where he opposed Islam and harbored enmity towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was nicknamed Abu Utbah and called Abu Lahab due to the redness of his cheeks and the whiteness of his face. His nickname aligned with his fate, as his name became synonymous with flames, reflecting his deeds and ultimate consequences.
Abu Lahab's Opposition to the Prophet and Islam
Abu Lahab's animosity towards the Prophet and Islam was evident when the Prophet was commanded by Allah to warn his closest relatives. Abu Lahab stood on a mountain in Mecca, inviting his people to believe in Allah alone.
Instead of supporting his nephew (the Prophet) or at least remaining silent, he started mocking the noble Prophet, saying, "May you perish! Is this what you gathered us for today?" His wife also belonged to those who harmed the Prophet, but Allah, in defense of His honorable messenger, revealed Surah Al-Masad (Surah 111) as a response.
Abu Lahab's Hostility and Actions Against the Prophet
Abu Lahab became infamous for actively hurting the Prophet and deterring people from his call. Whenever the Prophet called people to believe in Allah, Abu Lahab would divert them from faith, causing people to turn away from the Prophet's message. He relentlessly pursued the Prophet, urging people not to believe in him, calling him a magician.
He left no stone unturned in opposing the Prophet and his companions. His hostility towards Islam was evident in various instances, including leading a group intending to assassinate the Prophet. It became evident when he ordered his sons, Utbah and Utaybah, to divorce the Prophet's daughters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, after the Prophethood began to distract the Prophet from his mission by engaging him in personal matters.
Abu Lahab's Family
Abu Lahab's wife was Umm Jamil bint Harb, and their children were Utbah, Muattab, and Utaybah. Utaybah was eaten by a lion and died as a disbeliever, while Utbah and Muattab accepted Islam later, participating with the Prophet in the Battle of Hunayn. They remained steadfast and stayed in Mecca, leaving descendants after them.
The Quranic Mention of Abu Lahab's Wife and Fate
In the Quran, Allah described Abu Lahab's wife as the carrier of firewood because she used to carry thorns and wood, placing them in the path of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Some interpretations suggest this could signify her mockery of the Prophet's poverty despite her own affluence or her spreading of gossip and fueling of discord among people.
The Quran speaks of the fate of Abu Lahab and his wife until the Day of Judgment. Allah cursed Abu Lahab and highlighted that neither his wealth nor his children would avail him. Their fate was the blazing fire, with a rope of palm fiber around the wife's neck, dragging her towards the fire.
Abu Lahab's Death
Abu Lahab died in Mecca after the Battle of Badr due to a malignant disease, which the Arabs considered ominous. Allah subjected him to mental and physical anguish as his sons kept their distance, fearing contagion. After his death, for three days, nobody came near him. They dug a pit for his burial, pushed him in with sticks, and then threw stones at him from a distance until he was concealed by them.
