What Awaits Those Opposing Religion
The Holy Quran points to some of these groups and individuals and their fate.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had many enemies as a messenger of God. The Quran refers to some of them but only names one. He was a person who was very serious in his hostility against the Prophet (PBUH) and, along with his wife, used very opportunity to confront the Prophet (PBUH).
Surah Al-Masad was revealed about this person and his wife and the outcome of enmity with Islam:
“In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. May the hands of Abu Lahab perish! His wealth will not suffice him, neither what he has gained; he shall roast at a Flaming Fire, and his wife, laden with firewood shall have a rope of palmfiber around her neck!”
The person referred to as Abu Lahab in this Surah is Abdul Uzza bin Abdal Muttalib, an uncle of the Prophet (PBUH). He and his wife, Umm Jamil, harassed and disturbed the Holy Prophet (PBUH) a lot and made a lot of attempts in opposition to Islam. He considered the words and miracles of the Prophet (PBUH) to be sorcery and magic and tried to prevent the spread of the religion.
According to Surah Al-Masad, Abu Lahab was wealthy. When Muhammad (PBUH) was 8, Abdal Muttalib fell ill. He gathered his sons to ask one of them to take care of the child. Abu Lahab volunteered, but Abdal Muttalib did not accept.
When Muhammad (PBUH) announced that he had been instructed by God to spread the message of Islam openly, Abu Lahab started his enmity with him. He and his wife would follow the Prophet (PBUH), throwing stones at him and throwing thorns and garbage in his path.
They would also talk to anyone who accepted the Prophet’s PBUH) call, trying to dissuade him.
Abu Lahab died of an illness that causes wounds on the body. People would not go to him fearing that they would also get ill. After his body started to rot, people took it outside of Mecca and threw stones at it until it was covered with stones.
In Surah Al-Masad, his wife, Umm Jamil is referred to as one laden with firewood (of hell), which Quran interpreters say implies her gossiping and telltale acts that would cause the fire of hell to spread for her.
