The war against Islam as a faith, its Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and its advocates, has been relentless from the time that the Prophet was assigned his noble mission of calling people to the path of guidance.

He encountered hostility and enmity, even at the hands of his close relatives and fellow community members; male and female.

Similarly, anyone who advocates for Islam, be s/he a born Muslim or a new Muslim who found the path of truth and became a scholar or da`iyah for this pure monotheistic faith, surely encounters numerous obstacles and hardships.

They face tremendous pressure and defamatory campaigns by individuals, pressure groups, or even governments.

However, a short Surah from the Qur’an teaches us that the war is not waged against those callers to Islam or even the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Rather, it is against the One who assigned them to call upon people to follow this path of guidance; Allah the Almighty. This Surah is called, Al-Masad.

Below is a brief introduction to the Surah and its main objective.

Arabic text and translation of the meaning of Surah Al-Masad (Quran 111)

Listen to recitation of Surah ِAl-Masad by Sheikh Ihsan Muhammad Khadra

The Reason for its Revelation

This Surah was revealed in Makkah.

It was narrated by Ibn `Abbas:

“When the verse, “And warn your tribe of near kindred} (Ash-Shu`ara’ 26:214) was revealed, Allah’s Messenger went out, ascended As-Safa mountain and shouted, ‘O Sabahah!’

The people said, ‘Who is that?’

Then they gathered around him, whereupon he said,

‘Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?’

They replied, ‘We have never heard you telling a lie.’

So, he said,

‘I am a warner to you of a coming severe punishment.’

Abu Lahab said, ‘May you perish! You gathered us only for this reason?’ Then Abu Lahab went away.

So the Surah starting with “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab!” (111:1) was revealed.” (Al-Bukhari)