Abu Lahab and his relationships with prophet Muhammad

Abstract

Abu Lahab (d. 2/624), one of the notables of Mecca, was one of the Prophet's four uncles who reached the Islamic period. Abu Lahab who had generally good relations with the Prophet before the Islamic period developed bad attitudes towards his nephew when his prophethood was proclaimed and maintained these until his death. He, known for loyalty to his ancestor's religion, did not believe in his nephew's prophecy and was one of the chief an-tagonist and enemy of the Prophet in Mecca. In addition to the fact that Abu Lahab had an identity devoted to his ancestor, by force of emphasis of social justice, the Prophet's new re-ligion defending equality among people and ordering to the faith of afterlife caused to have a strong opposition to his nephew. In the development of Abu Lahab's opposing attitude his wife Umm Jamil (d. ?/?) plays a crucial role. In this article, Abu Lahab and the reasons which prompted to oppose to the Prophet and his religion were examined in detail. In addition, his life and relations with the Prophet before and after nubuwwa were detailed.