Surah Al-Masad (Tabbat): transliteration and meaning

Al-Masad (Tabbat)

Quran 111:1-5

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Before the surah you say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. It is not one of its verses.

  1. 1

    تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ

    Tabbat yada Abee Lahabin wa tabb

    Ruined are the hands of Abu Lahab, and ruined is he

  2. 2

    مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ

    Ma aghna 'anhu maluhu wa ma kasab

    His wealth and all he gained were of no use to him

  3. 3

    سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ

    Sayasla naran dhata lahab

    He will burn in a blazing fire

  4. 4

    وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ

    Wamra'atuhu hammalatal-hatab

    and his wife too, the carrier of firewood

  5. 5

    فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِنْ مَسَدٍ

    Fee jeediha hablum mim masad

    with a rope of twisted palm fibre around her neck

Meaning: The meaning in plain words, line by line. It is not a word-for-word translation.

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What it is and when you say it

Al-Masad, "Palm fibre", is surah 111. It is also called Tabbat after its first word, or Al-Lahab. It is about Abu Lahab, the Prophet's uncle, and his wife, who fought the message with all their wealth and words.

It has five short verses with a strong rhythm, which makes it quick to learn.

Read the full guide: Which short surahs can I recite in prayer?

How to learn it by heart

  1. Read the whole text once with its meaning, so you know what you are saying.
  2. Learn one line at a time. Say it out loud until it flows, then add the next line.
  3. Hide the words little by little: first letters, then nothing. Tap a line when you need a look.
  4. Use it in your prayers right away. Repeating it five times a day is what makes it stay.

Common questions

Who was Abu Lahab?

An uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who opposed him openly in Makkah. His real name was Abd al-Uzza. "Abu Lahab" means "father of flame".

Can I recite it in prayer?

Yes, like any surah, after Al-Fatiha.

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