Surah Al-Masad explained for children, in pictures
Wealth did not help the one who hurt the Prophet ﷺ
Meaning from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, simplified for children. Reviewed by Sherif Alkady, 21 October 2026.
The lessons
1 · Verses 1–3The ruin of Abu Lahab
Abu Lahab was the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him); he hurt him and turned people away from him. Allah declared that he is ruined, that his wealth and children will not help him, and that he will enter a blazing fire.
2 · Verses 4–5The carrier of firewood
His wife hurt the Prophet too, peace be upon him: she carried thorns and laid them in his path. Her recompense will be with him in the fire, with a rope of rough fibre around her neck.
Surah Al-Masad at a glance
Surah Al-Masad is a Makki surah with 5 verses; it is number 111 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 603.
- Order in the mushaf
- 111
- Number of verses
- 5 verses
- Makki or Madani
- Makki (revealed in Makkah)
- Juz
- 30 (Juz Amma)
- Starts on page
- 603
- What its name means
- Al-Masad is palm fibre twisted into a rope: the surah speaks of Abu Lahab and his wife; it is also called Surah Tabbat.
Classification, verse count and page numbers follow the Madinah Mushaf (Hafs from Asim, Kufi count).
Why Surah Al-Masad was revealed
The story as it comes in the sound hadith, in simple words for children.
When the Prophet ﷺ was commanded to warn his people, he climbed Mount Safa and called the clans of Quraysh until they gathered, and said: if I told you that horsemen were coming from behind this mountain to attack you, would you believe me? They said: yes, we have never known you to lie. He said: then I am a warner to you before a severe punishment. His uncle Abu Lahab said: may you perish! Is this what you gathered us for? So Allah sent down «Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he».
Source: Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas.
Word meanings in Surah Al-Masad for kids
Meanings from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, in simple words.
- تَبَّتْ
- perish (Verse 1)
- يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍۢ
- the hands of Abu Lahab (Verse 1)
- أَغْنَىٰ
- did not help him (Verse 2)
- كَسَبَ
- his children (what he earned) (Verse 2)
- ذَاتَ لَهَبٍۢ
- of blazing flame (Verse 3)
- حَمَّالَةَ ٱلْحَطَبِ
- the carrier of thorny wood (Verse 4)
- جِيدِهَا
- her neck (Verse 5)
- مَّسَدٍۭ
- palm fibre (Verse 5)
Check your understanding of Surah Al-Masad: questions for kids
Read the question, think, then tap the answer you choose.
1. Who was Abu Lahab?
2. What did Abu Lahab do to the Prophet ﷺ?
3. Did Abu Lahab's money and children help him?
4. What did Abu Lahab's wife put in the Prophet's path ﷺ?
Questions parents ask
What is a simple explanation of Surah Al-Masad for children?
Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him), hurt him and turned people away from him, and his wife carried thorns and laid them in his path. Allah declared that he is ruined, that his wealth and children will not help him, and that their recompense is the Fire.
Who was Abu Lahab?
The uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who hurt him and turned people away from him.
What is the lesson of Surah Al-Masad?
That wealth and children did not help the one who hurt the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Why is Surah Al-Masad called by this name?
Al-Masad is palm fibre twisted into a rope: the surah speaks of Abu Lahab and his wife; it is also called Surah Tabbat.
What are the main facts about Surah Al-Masad?
Surah Al-Masad is a Makki surah with 5 verses; it is number 111 in the mushaf, in juz 30 (Juz Amma), and starts on page 603. Its big idea: Wealth did not help the one who hurt the Prophet ﷺ.
Surahs close to Surah Al-Masad
Surahs with a close idea, to carry the journey on.
