This is a ‘meccan’ sūrah. Abu Lahab, literally \"the father of flame\", was the nickname of Abul Uzza, an uncle of the Holy Prophet (saw), and a bitter and fiery opponent of Islam and the Holy Prophet (saw). At the “daawat dhil ashira” in which he flared up and shouted at the Holy Prophet (saw), saying: \"Perdition to you\". He made it his business to torment the Holy Prophet (saw); and his wife, Umm Jumail, sister of Abu Sufiyan, took pleasure in carrying thorny bushes and strewing them in the sand where she knew that the Holy Prophet (saw) was sure to walk barefooted, because of which she is referred to as the bearer of the wood. Abu Lahab used to persuade the people to throw stones at the Holy Prophet (saw), whenever he passed the streets of Makkah, by telling them that he was a mad man. The two hands he used to throw stones at the Holy Prophet (saw) are cursed. The two hands of Abu Lahab may also refer to the evil deeds he had sent forth which condemns him to suffer severest punishment till eternity. Neither his wealth nor his supporters will be able to save him from the blazing fire. A week after the battle of Badr, Abu Lahab perished, consumed with grief and his own fiery passions. The angel of death strangled his wife with the rope she used to wear around her neck. On the day of judgement the fire of punishment like a rope of iron strongly twisted will be put on her neck. It is narrated that recitation of this sūrah is good for relieving back pains and reciting it before sleeping keeps one safe in the night. Show Less >>