This nickname...

This nickname, perhaps, was chosen for him, because, 'lahab', in Arabic, means 'a flame of fire'. He and his wife, Umm-i-Jamil; a sister of Abu Sufyan, being specifically mentioned as the cursed ones among the enemies of Islam, hurt the holy Prophet (S) very much. A person by the name of 'Tariq Muharibi' says that once Abu Lahab was found going behind the holy Prophet (S) passing through the market place called 'Zul-Mujaz'; (it is close to' Arafat, a short distance from Mecca).

He was following behind him (S) shouting to the people not to listen to the holy Prophet (S) saying that he was a mad man and pelting his feet with stones, causing the holy Prophet (S) to walk with bleeding wounds. There are many stories of this kind narrated about the ceaseless, hideous treatment and futile statements of Abu Lahab against (S) which can be counted as reasons for why the verses, under discussion, criticize and curse him and his wife so clearly and severely.

He was the only person who did not sign the supporting agreement of Bani Hashim from the holy Prophet (S) although, he took part in the agreements of the enemies of Islam, and persisted to remain his (S) enemy. Regarding these facts, the reason for the exceptional case of this Surah can be made clear. "His wealth avails him not, neither what he has earned". It is understood from this statement that Abu Lahab was a rich, proud man who boasted about his wealth and used it against Islam.

"Soon will he roast in a flaming fire". His punishment, as well as his name, Abu Lahab, flourished with great, blazing flames. Not only the wealth of Abu Lahab, but, also, no wealth or social position of infidels and wrong doers avails them in rescuing them from the fire of Hell, as Surah Shu'ara, No. 29 verses 88-89 say: “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail," "But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart".

It is certain that the fire mentioned in the verse; "Soon will he roast in a flaming fire" is the fire of Hell, but some believe that it can involve the fire of this world, too. It is narrated that after the defeat of the Meccans at Badr, Abu lahab, who had not participated in the battle, asked Abu Sufyan, when he returned from the battlefield, about its details.

Abu Sufyan described to him the event of how the Quraish were defeated and then, he added: "By Allah, we saw, in the course of battle, some riders between the earth and heaven who had come to help Muhammad".