Surah Al-Masad
المسد
The Palm Fibre — 5 verses, revealed in Makkah. Read it in Arabic with transliteration and meaning, then learn its background, virtues and tajweed.
Surah Al-Masad is surah number 111 of the Quran, meaning “The Palm Fibre”. It has 5 verses and was revealed in Makkah. Al-Masad is about Abu Lahab, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, who fought against Islam — showing that family ties and wealth cannot save someone who opposes the truth.
Surah Al-Masad with transliteration & meaning
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
- 1
تَبَّتْ یَدَاۤ اَبِیْ لَهَبٍ وَّتَبَّ ؕ ۱
Tabbat yada abi lahabiw-wa tabb.
May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and he has perished.
- 2
مَاۤ اَغْنٰی عَنْهُ مَالُهٗ وَمَا كَسَبَ ؕ ۲
Ma aghna 'anhu maluhu wa ma kasab.
His wealth and what he earned did not help him.
- 3
سَیَصْلٰی نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ ۚۖ ۳
Sayasla naran dhata lahab.
He will burn in a blazing fire,
- 4
وَّامْرَاَتُهٗ ؕ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ ۚ ۴
Wamra'atuhu hammalatal-hatab.
and his wife too — the carrier of firewood —
- 5
فِیْ جِیْدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّنْ مَّسَدٍ ۵
Fi jidiha hablum-mim-masad.
around her neck a rope of palm fibre.
Background: when and why it was revealed
Revealed in Makkah. Al-Masad is about Abu Lahab, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, who fought against Islam — showing that family ties and wealth cannot save someone who opposes the truth.
When Allah told the Prophet ﷺ to warn his relatives, he climbed Mount Safa and called the tribes of Quraysh together. His uncle Abu Lahab said, “May you perish! Is this why you gathered us?” — and this surah was revealed (Sahih al-Bukhari 4971).
Virtues
- The occasion of its revelation is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari 4971)
Tajweed tip
- Bounce the letter when you stop on “tabb” (ب), “lahab” (ب) and “masad” (د) — that echo is called qalqalah.
When to recite it
- In Salah
What we learn from Surah Al-Masad
Truth over family pride
Being related to the Prophet ﷺ didn't save Abu Lahab.
Wealth can't save us
Money doesn't protect anyone from Allah.
Support good
Help people who call to good, don't harm them.
Frequently asked questions
How many verses are in Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad has 5 verses.
What does Surah Al-Masad mean?
Surah Al-Masad means “The Palm Fibre”. Al-Masad is about Abu Lahab, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, who fought against Islam — showing that family ties and wealth cannot save someone who opposes the truth.
Was Surah Al-Masad revealed in Makkah or Madinah?
It was revealed in Makkah.
When should I recite Surah Al-Masad?
In Salah.
References & sources
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