The surah is about Prophet Muhammad’s uncle, Abd al-ʿUzzā ibn ʿAbd al-Muttalib (more popularly nicknamed Abu Lahab). He was one of the Meccan Quraysh leaders who vehemently opposed Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Islam.
In Sahih Bukhari 4971 it mentions how Abu Lahab would criticize and try to make the Prophet seem foolish. One day, the Prophet (ﷺ) climbed up a hill and gathered the Quraysh around and said, “Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?” They said, “We have never heard you telling a lie.” Then he said, “I am a plain warner to you of a coming severe punishment.” Abu Lahab said, “May you perish! Is that why you have gathered us all here?” So there was revealed: ‘Perish the hands of Abu Lahab’ and this Surah was revealed.
In Sahih Bukhari 4971 it mentions how Abu Lahab would criticize and try to make the Prophet seem foolish. One day, the Prophet (ﷺ) climbed up a hill and gathered the Quraysh around and said, “Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?” They said, “We have never heard you telling a lie.” Then he said, “I am a plain warner to you of a coming severe punishment.” Abu Lahab said, “May you perish! Is that why you have gathered us all here?” So there was revealed: ‘Perish the hands of Abu Lahab’ and this Surah was revealed.