Abu Lahab (Abd al-Uzza ibn Abd al-Muttalib)

Paternal uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — a son of Abd al-Muttalib — and the only named enemy of Islam cursed by name in the Quran (Surah al-Masad, 111). His real name was Abd al-Uzza; “Abu Lahab” (“father of flame”) referred to his handsome, glowing face — a nickname the Quran turned against him (111:3).

Role in the persecution (EP 012–013, 019)

• The first to publicly oppose and mock the Prophet ﷺ: at the proclamation on Mount Safa he threw dust and cried “May you perish!” — occasioning the revelation of Surah al-Masad.
• Repeatedly sabotaged the private family da’wah and warned pilgrims away.
• During the Boycott he was the one Hashimi who defected, publicly disowning his own clan (though he once shielded Abu Salama out of tribal love — a reminder that such worldly kinship-love does not avail against the Fire).

After Abu Talib’s death (EP 019)

As seniormost pagan Hashimi he briefly extended the Prophet ﷺ his protection, then withdrew it when Abu Jahal and Utbah goaded him over the fate of Abd al-Muttalib. This loss of protection is what pushed the Prophet ﷺ toward Ta’if.

Contrast among the four uncles

Of Abd al-Muttalib’s four sons who lived to hear the mission, Hamzah and al-Abbas (both “lion” names) accepted Islam; Abu Lahab and Abu Talib (both idol-names — Abd al-Uzza and Abd Manaf) did not. Abu Lahab died shortly after Badr (of the adasa plague).

Cross-references

Muhammad ﷺ · Abd al-Muttalib · Abu Talib · Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib (ra) · Abu Jahal (Amr ibn Hisham) · The Declaration of Prophethood (Public Da'wah) · The Boycott of Banu Hashim

Sources

• S004 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 012–013 (Safa, al-Masad), EP 018–019 (boycott, withdrawal of protection).