سُوْرَةُ المَسَدِ
Surah Al-Masad (111) — Ayah 4
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ حَمَّالَةَ ٱلْحَطَبِ ﴿4﴾
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
وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ
wa-im'ra-atuhu
And his wife
حَمَّالَةَ
ḥammālata
(the) carrier
ٱلْحَطَبِ
l-ḥaṭabi
(of) firewood
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.
[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.
