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Abu Lahab

Historical figure

Birth date unknown · d. c. 624 CE · Makkah

Overview

Uncle of Muhammad ﷺ who opposed his teaching; named in Surah al-Masad.

Category: Historical figure
Period: Birth date unknown · d. c. 624 CE

A relative who opposed him

Abu Lahab was a son of Abd al-Muttalib and an uncle of Muhammad ﷺ. Being a close relative did not mean he supported Islam; he opposed the message taught by his nephew.

Sources:

Abu Lahab · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam

Why his name is remembered

Surah al-Masad, also known as Surah Tabbat, names Abu Lahab and speaks about him and his wife. His wife is known as Umm Jamil. She is a different person from the paternal aunt Arwa bint Abd al-Muttalib.

Sources:

Sources

We wrote this short biography using the sources below. We explain uncertain dates and differing accounts.

Abu Lahab · TDV Encyclopaedia of IslamUncle of Muhammad ﷺ who opposed his teaching; named in Surah al-Masad.
Surah Al-Masad · 111:1-5Surah al-Masad: Abu Lahab and his wife