Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And his wife, too, who carries wood (thorns of Sa‘dân which she used to put on the way of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, or use to slander him).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥwa-im'ra-atuhuAnd his wife
حَمَّالَةَḥammālata(the) carrier
ٱلْحَطَبِl-ḥaṭabi(of) firewood
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. 1. That is, in Hell she will bring wood to her husband's fire, so that the fire blazes even more. This will be by Allah's will. That is, just as she was a helper to her husband in his disbelief and stubbornness in the world, in the Hereafter she will also be his helper in punishment. (Ibn Kathir) Some say that she used to bring thorny bushes and spread them in the path of the Prophet ﷺ. And some say that this is a reference to her habit of tale-bearing. In Arabic, this is an idiom for tale-bearing. She used to go to the disbelievers of Quraysh and backbite about the Prophet ﷺ and incite them to enmity against him ﷺ. (Fath al-Bari)
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. And his wife, the carrier of firewood [4].
[4] Introduction to Abu Lahab's Wife:
Abu Lahab's wife's name was Arwa, and her kunyah was Umm Jamil. She was the sister of Abu Sufyan bin Harb bin Umayyah, who became the chief of Quraysh and the commander of the armies after Abu Jahl's death. In enmity towards the Messenger, this woman was in no way less than her husband. She used to bring thorny bushes from the wilderness and, in the darkness of night, would place them in front of your ﷺ house so that when you ﷺ went to the Ka'bah in the morning, thorns would prick your feet. She also intended to injure your children. She was quite foul-mouthed and a mischief-maker. When Surah Lahab was revealed, she took a handful of pebbles and set out for the Ka'bah, intending to respond to Surah Lahab in the form of satire against you ﷺ and to cool the fire of her revenge by throwing pebbles. Coincidentally, she could not see the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ: "Where is your companion? I have heard that he satirizes me." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ replied, "He has not satirized anyone." (Meaning, if there is any satire, it is from Allah, not from Him ﷺ.) Hearing this answer, she turned back.