After being commanded by Allah to invite to Islam openly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) ascended Mt Safaa and summoned all of the tribes of the Quraish by name. When they had all assembled, he asked them, “If I were to inform you that there is an army on the other side of this mountain that wishes to attack you, would you believe me?” In one voice, they all responded, “We will definitely believe you since we have never known you to be anything but honest and truthful!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “I am warning you of a severe punishment (that will befall you if you do not accept my message from Allah Ta‘ala).” Abu Lahab retorted, “Woe unto you! May you perish! Is it only for this purpose that you assembled us here?”

It was in this regard that Surah ‘Tabbat Yadaa Abi Lahab’ (may the hands of Abu Lahab perish) was revealed.

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/172)