According to the traditional translations; In Tebbet Surah, it is mentioned about Ebu Leheb who puts spikes on Prophet Muhammed’s way together with his wife; and when the Prophet made a meeting to warn his relatives, Ebu Leheb said vulgar words and left the meeting; so this Surah was sent.
This is a misunderstanding that we face a lot in such Quran interpretations. There are even people who become disbelievers because of them. Why was a Surah sent for Ebu Leheb when there are so many people who insult the Prophet of Allah? And why would Allah send a verse about how the hands of a human being dry? The answers of these questions are in Quran.
Let us review the relevant verse;
“Tebbet Yeda ebilehebin ve Tebb”
“Let the power of Ebu Leheb or people who are like him dry/be damned”
The real interpretation of the verse is as written above. Many interpreters say that this verse was sent for the Prophet’s uncle Abduluzza (Ebu Leheb) but verses are universal and they are for the whole humanity, not some specific people.
The word ‘’yeda’’ in the verse does not mean ‘’hand’’ but it means ‘’power’’. The word ‘’yeda’’ in Quran is used in the meanings of power, order, authority etc. For instance; ‘’Yedullah’’ does not mean the ‘’hand’’ of Allah but it means the ‘’power’’ of Allah.
Let the power of Ebu Leheb or people who are like him dry/be damned (Tebbet 1) who are the people like Ebu Leheb?
People like Ebu Leheb; means crushing the weak people in a system based on power, concealing the truth, living for social status and self-ego, exalting persons, taking shelter in people, asking for help from people. The ‘’Creator’’ wants such systems to dry and/or be damned.
If we interpret the verse in today’s conditions; let the orders that are not based on Quran dry/be damned.
[Note; the verse is a sort of protest, the image used here is that the ‘’Creator’’ talks like human being.]
The term ‘’Yeda Ebu Leheb’’ should be understood as ‘’the order of Ebu Leheb’’. Only then we can understand the real meaning of the verse. So we will have to explain what that order is.
When the Prophet of Allah explained the oneness of Allah and how wrong the icons are, Ebu Leheb and people like him became his enemy because they were worried about their order based on robbery. People like Ebu Leheb are mostly supported by people close to them. Allah tells in the verse what will happen to those people who follow the way of Ebu Leheb just like the woman who serves him.
So the order of Islam which is ‘’Belief in one God and the Justice system’’ is contrary to ‘’Worshipping the icons and the cruelty order’’. So Tebbet Surah is mentions about one of the main struggles of Islam. It was valid that day and is valid today… Whoever capitalizes religion on his benefits, wealth and order is like Ebu Leheb. So let us reads the meaning of Tebbet Surah once more:
“Let the power of Ebu Leheb or people who are like him dry/be damned”
The prophets are the greatest leaders and bravest revolutionists who changed the course of history so that people can live a virtuous, honourable and moral life.
The divine message they brought is universal. The fact that the verses in Quran contain general messages, principles and provisions that suit the creation of the human beings, direct people to think and use terms such as ‘’Human Beings!’’ prove that it is universal.
