2. Hell
2.1. Definition of Hell
Hell is the abode which Allah has prepared for those who disbelieve in Him, reject His messengers and stubbornly refuse to obey Him, follow His religion and refrain from disobeying Him. He will subject them to punishment and disgrace in it.
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Do they not know that for whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger there will be the fire of hell, in which he will abide forever? That is the ultimate disgrace." (al-Tawbah 9:63)
2.2. The keepers of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "The disbelievers will be driven to hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them: Did there not come to you Messengers from among you, reciting the revelations of your Lord to you and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours?" (al-Zumar 39:71)
Ibn Kathir said, “The keepers of Hell, the angels of punishment, who are harsh in manner and very strong, will say to them, by way of rebuking, scolding and chastising: Did there not come to you Messengers from among you?”
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Those who are in the fire will say to the keepers of hell: Call upon your Lord to alleviate the punishment for us for one day. They will say: Did your Messengers not come to you with clear signs? They will say: Yes. They will say: Then call upon Him yourselves! The supplication of those who disbelieve is all in vain." (Ghafir 40:49-50)
"… almost bursting with rage. Every time a group is flung into it, its keepers will ask them: Did no warner come to you?" (al-Mulk 67:8) "O you who believe, guard yourselves and your families against a fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are appointed angels harsh and stern, who do not disobey Allah in whatever He commands them, and they do whatever they are commanded to do." (al-Tahrim 66:6)
Malik is the leader of the keepers of Hell and foremost among them
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "They will call out to the keeper of hell: O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us! He will say: Verily, you will remain in the same plight forever." (al-Zukhruf 43:77)
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, called the keeper of Hell Malik, a name that is derived from the word al-mulk, which refers to strength and power.
2.3. The description of Hell
2.3.1. The location of Hell
Some scholars are of the view that the location of Hell is in the seventh earth
Al-Safarini said, “Hell is in the seventh earth according to the correct view.” Ibn ‘Uthaymin said, “The location of Paradise and Hell: Paradise is in the highest ‘Illiyyin, because Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, the record of the righteous is in ‘Illiyun (the highest heavens)." (al-Mutaffifin 83:18)
And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, according to the famous hadith of al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) about the punishment in the grave, “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say, ‘Keep the record of My slave in ‘Illiyyin (the highest heavens) and return his soul to the earth.” And Hell is in the lowest of the lowest places, because Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, the record of the wicked is in Sijjin (the depths of Hell)." (al-Mutaffifin 83:7)
And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, in the hadith of al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned above: “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say: ‘Keep the record of My slave in Sijjin (the depths of Hell) in the lowest earth.” And he said, “Verily, the record of the wicked is in Sijjin (the depths of Hell)." (al-Mutaffifin 83:7)… In this verse, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, states that the record of the wicked is in Sijjin.”
Some of the scholars refrained from discussing the location of Hell
Waliullah al-Dihlawi said, “There is no text which clearly states where they (Paradise and Hell) are; rather they are wherever Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, wills that they should be, for we do not have full knowledge of Allah’s creation and the worlds that He has created.” Siddiq Hasan said, commenting on the words of al-Dihlawi: “This view is the most correct and prudent, in sha Allah.”
2.3.2. The vastness of Hell and how deep it is
i. The vastness of Hell
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Hell will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand reins, each rein being held by seventy thousand angels pulling it.” (Muslim)
ii. The bottom of Hell and how deep it is
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “A man may say a word and not think that there is anything wrong with it, but he will fall the depth of seventy years in Hell because of it.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad; Sahih)
It was narrated that ‘Utbah ibn Ghazwan said: We were told that if a stone is thrown from the edge of Hell, it will fall down through it for seventy years without reaching the bottom of it, but by Allah, it will be filled. (Muslim)
2.3.3. The levels of Hell
The punishments of Hell vary, some of them being more severe than others, and the people of Hell will vary according to their levels (as some will be lower than others).
Al-Raghib al-Asfahani noted that different words are used in Arabic to refer to the levels of Paradise and the levels of Hell, to indicate that they are ascending or descending respectively. The Arabic phrases are darajat al-Jannah (the levels of Paradise, one above another) and darakat al-nar (the levels of Hell, one beneath another).
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Is the one who seeks the good pleasure of Allah like the one who incurs the wrath of Allah, and whose abode is hell, a hapless journey’s end? They vary greatly in rank in the sight of Allah, and Allah sees well all that they do." (Al ‘Imran 3:162-163)
There are several hadiths which state that the punishments of the people of Hell will vary in severity. These hadiths include the following:
It was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said regarding the people of Hell, “There are some whom the Fire will seize up to the ankles, and some whom it will seize up to the knees, and some whom it will seize up to the waist, and some whom it will seize up to the neck.” (Muslim)
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “The least severely punished of the people of Hell will be Abu Talib, who will be wearing sandals because of which his brain will boil.” (Muslim)
It was narrated from al-Nu‘man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “The least severely punished of the people of Hell will be a man who has sandals and straps of fire, because of which his brain will boil as a cooking pot boils. He will think that no one else is being punished as severely as he, but he will be the least severely punished of them.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
The hypocrites will be in the lowest level of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire." (al-Nisa’ 4:145)
Ibn Rajab said: “You should understand that the variation in punishment of the people of Hell will be in accordance with the variation in the deeds because of which they entered Hell, as Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "For all there will be ranks according to their deeds." (al-An‘am 6:132) And He says, "A fitting recompense." (al-Naba’ 78:26)
Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: In accordance with their deeds, so the punishment of one who went to extremes in his disbelief, spreading corruption in the land and calling others to disbelief, will not be like the punishment of one who was not like that. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "For those who disbelieve and bar others from the path of Allah, We will add punishment to their punishment because they used to spread mischief." (al-Nahl 16:88) "And on the day when the Hour begins it will be said: Admit the people of Pharaoh to the severest punishment."
(Ghafir 40:46)
Similarly, the punishments in Hell of the sinners among the monotheists will vary according to their deeds. The punishment of those who committed major sins will not be like those who committed minor sins, and the punishment may be reduced for some of them by virtue of good deeds that they have to their credit, or for whatever reason Allah wills. Hence some of them will die in Hell.”
2.3.4. The kindling of the fire of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And when the blazing fire is kindled." (al-Takwir 81:12)
Al-Jawhari said, “The word translated here as kindled refers to setting something ablaze.”
It was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Last night two people came to me – and he described a dream at length, and said –: we came to a man with a repulsive appearance, the most repulsive appearance you ever saw in any man. Beside him there was a fire, which he was stoking and going around it. I said to them: ‘Who is this?’ They said to me: ‘Move on, move on.’” At the end of the hadith, the two angels said to him: “As for the man with the repulsive appearance, beside whom there was a fire which he was stoking and going around it, he is Malik, the keeper of Hall.”
2.3.5. Gates of Hell
Hell has seven gates. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And verily, hell is the promised destiny for them all. It has seven gates, each gate having its allotted share of them." (al-Hijr 15:43-44)
Ibn Kathir said, “Here Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates, each gate having its allotted share of them that is, it is decreed for every gate that a certain portion of the followers of Iblis will inevitably enter it – may Allah protect us from it. Each person will enter a gate according to his deeds, and he will settle in a low level of Hell commensurate with his deeds.”
When the disbelievers reach Hell, its gates will be opened
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "The disbelievers will be driven to hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them: Did there not come to you Messengers from among you, reciting the revelations of your Lord to you and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours? They will say: Yes indeed, but the decree of punishment has become inevitable for the disbelievers." (al-Zumar 39:71)
It will be said to them (interpretation of the meaning), "Enter the gates of hell, to abide therein forever. Wretched indeed is the abode of the arrogant!" (al-Zumar 39:72)
The gates of Hell are closed during the month of Ramadan
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are fettered." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
2.3.6. Fuel of Hell
The fuel of Hell includes stones, the disbelievers and the false gods who were worshipped besides Allah. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "O you who believe, guard yourselves and your families against a fire whose fuel is men and stones." (al-Tahrim 66:6) "Then beware of the fire whose fuel is men and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers." (al-Baqarah 2:24)
The people who will be fuel for the Fire are the disbelievers and polytheists. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, you O disbelievers and that which you worship besides Allah are fuel for hell; to it you will surely come. If these idols had really been gods, they would not have come to it. But they will all abide therein forever." (al-Anbiya’ 21:98-99)
2.3.7. The intensity of its heat, the thickness of its smoke, the huge size of its sparks, and its intense cold
i. The intensity of its heat
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And they said: Do not go forth in the heat. Say: The fire of hell is far hotter. If only they could understand." (al-Tawbah 9:81)
It was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “This fire of yours – that which is lit by the son of Adam – is one seventieth part of the fire of Hell.” They said: By Allah, if it was like this it would be sufficient, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “But it is sixty-nine degrees more, each one of which is like it in heat.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
ii. The thickness of its smoke and the huge size of its sparks
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And those on the left – how wretched will be those on the left! They will be in the midst of scorching wind and scalding water, in the shade of black smoke, neither cool nor wholesome." (al-Waqi‘ah 56:41-44) "Proceed to a shadow of smoke ascending in three columns, that offers no shade or protection from the flames. Verily, it hell throws out sparks as big as castles, as if they were a herd of tawny camels." (al-Mursalat 77:30-33)
iii. Its intense cold
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “The Fire said: ‘Lord, parts of me have consumed other parts; give me permission to breathe out.’ So He gave it permission to breathe out twice, once in the winter and once in the summer. What you experience of cold or intense cold is the breath of Hell, and what you experience of heat or intense heat is the breath of Hell.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Ibn al-Athir said, “Zamharir (translated above as intense cold) refers to bitter cold. This is what Allah has prepared as a punishment for the disbelievers in the hereafter.”
2.3.8. The Fire speaks, hears and sees
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding the Fire (interpretation of the meaning), "When it sees them from afar, they will hear its raging and roaring." (al-Furqan 25:12)
Al-Sa‘di said, “When it sees them from afar that is, before they reach it and it reaches them, they will hear its raging against them and roaring which will fill them with dread and shatter their hearts. One of them will almost die in fear of it and panic, for its wrath against them stems from the wrath of its Creator, and its flames will increase because of the increase in their disbelief and evil.”
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The Fire complained to its Lord and said: O Lord, parts of me have consumed other parts…”
Ibn Rajab said, “Regarding the words ‘The Fire complained to its Lord,’ the commentators are of the view that Allah gave it the ability to speak in a real sense, just as He will give hands, feet and skin the ability to speak on the Day of Resurrection, and He caused the mountains and other inanimate objects to utter words of tasbih and greet the Messenger of Allah with salaam, and other things that were caused to speak in this world.”
2.3.9. Will anyone see Hell with his own eyes before the Day of Resurrection?
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw Hell during his lifetime. It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “I saw Paradise, and I reached out to take a bunch of grapes from it. If I had taken it, you would have eaten from it for as long as this world remained. And I saw Hell, and I have never seen anything as terrifying as what I have seen today. I saw that most of its people are women.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
2.4. People of Hell
2.4.1. Callers to Hell
The followers of false and misguided religions and ideas are the callers to Hell. They include:
Pharaoh
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding Pharaoh (interpretation of the meaning), "He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the fire." (Hud 11:98)
The Shaytan
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Would they do that even if Shaytan is calling them to the punishment of the raging fire?" (Luqman 31:21) "He only calls his followers so that they may become inhabitants of the raging fire." (Fatir 35:6)
2.4.2. The gravest evil deeds of those who will abide forever in Hell
The Holy Qur’an mentions the evil deeds for which those who commit them will deserve to abide forever in Hell. They include the following:
i. Disbelief (kufr) and associating others with Allah (shirk): Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "It will be proclaimed to those who disbelieved: Allah’s loathing of you is greater than your loathing for your own selves, for you were called to faith but you disbelieved. They will say: Our Lord, twice You have caused us to be lifeless and twice You have brought us to life. Now we acknowledge our sins; is there any way out of the fire? It will be said to them: This is because when Allah alone was invoked, you disbelieved, but when partners were ascribed to Him, you believed. Judgement belongs only to Allah, the Most High, the Most Great." (Ghafir 40:10-12) "Then they will be thrown headlong into hell, both they the false gods and those who went astray, and the followers of Iblis, all together. And they will say, when they are quarrelling therein: By Allah, we were clearly misguided when we deemed you equal to the Lord of the worlds." (al-Shu‘ara’ 26:94-98) "If you wonder at the disbelievers’ rejection of your message, then you should surely wonder at their saying: What! When we have become dust, will we then be created anew? These are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord. They are the ones on whose necks will be placed iron collars; they will be inhabitants of the fire and will abide therein forever." (al-Ra‘d 13:5)
ii. Disbelief in the Day of Judgement: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says, telling us of the people of Paradise when they will question the people of Hell (interpretation of the meaning), "When they see them, they will ask them: What brought you to hell? They will say: We were not among those who prayed, and we did not feed the poor, and we indulged in vain discourse along with those who indulged therein, and we denied the Day of Judgement, until that which was certain namely, death came to us." (al-Muddaththir 74:42-47)
iii. Obeying the leaders of misguidance and disbelief in their misguidance and disbelief: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and has prepared for them a raging fire. They will abide therein forever, and they will not find any protector or helper. On the day when their faces are turned over in the fire, they will say: Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger! They will say: Our Lord, we obeyed our leaders and elders, and they led us astray from the right path." (al-Ahzab 33:64-67)
iv. Major hypocrisy: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Allah has promised the hypocrites, men and women, and the disbelievers the fire of hell, to abide therein forever. It is sufficient for them; Allah has cursed them and theirs will be an everlasting punishment." (al-Tawbah 9:68) "The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the fire." (al-Nisa’ 4:145)
v. Being too arrogant to follow the truth: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "But as for those who reject Our revelations and turn away from them with arrogance, they will be inhabitants of the fire; they will abide therein forever." (al-A‘raf 7:36) "Is there not in hell an abode for the arrogant?" (al-Zumar 39:60)
2.4.3. People of Hell who are specifically mentioned in the Qur’an or Sunnah
Pharaoh: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding him (interpretation of the meaning), "He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the fire." (Hud 11:98)
The wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Allah sets forth, as an example to those who disbelieve, the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut, who were married to two of Our righteous slaves, but they were disloyal to them. Their husbands could not avail them anything against the punishment of Allah, and they were told: Enter the fire along with those who enter it." (al-Tahrim 66:10)
Abu Lahab and his wife: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and may he perish! Neither his wealth nor his gains will avail him. He will burn in a blazing fire and so will his wife, the carrier of firewood. On her neck will be a rope of palm fibres." (al-Masad 111:1-5)
‘Amr ibn ‘Amir al-Khuza‘i: It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “I saw ‘Amr ibn ‘Amir al-Khuza‘i dragging his intestines in Hell. He was the first one to introduce the institution of the sa’ibah camels that were dedicated to the false gods.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Al-Turbashti said, “Dragging his intestines in Hell – Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And be given scalding water to drink that will tear their intestines." (Muhammad 47:15)
Perhaps the reason why the punishment of dragging his intestines in Hell is highlighted here, in addition to all the other punishments to which he will be subjected, is because he brought forth from inside him an innovation which caused a great deal of trouble for his people. And Allah knows best.”
2.5. Large number of the people of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "But most of humankind will not believe, no matter how eagerly you desire it." (Yusuf 12:103) "I will surely fill hell with you and those who follow you, all together." (Sad 38:85)
It was narrated from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah will say: ‘O Adam.’ He will say: ‘Here I am at Your service, all goodness is in Your hand.’ (Allah) will say: ‘Bring forth the portion of Hell.’ He will say: ‘What is the portion of Hell?’ He will say: ‘Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand.’ That is when every child will turn grey and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see the people as if they are drunk, although they will not be drunk, but the punishment of Allah will be severe indeed (cf. al-Hajj 22:2).” They said,
"O Messenger of Allah, which of us will be that one? He said: “Be of good cheer, for from among you it will be one man and from among Ya’juj and Ma’juj there will be a thousand.” Then he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I hope that you will be one-quarter of the people of Paradise.” We said takbir. Then he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I hope that you will be one third of the people of Paradise,” and we said takbir. Then he said: “I hope that you will be one half of the people of Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) Most of those who will enter Hell will be women: It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said in the khutbah on the occasion of the solar eclipse,
“And I was shown Hell, and I have never seen anything as terrifying as what I have seen today. I saw that most of its people are women.” They said: Why is that, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Because of their ungratefulness.” It was said: Are they ungrateful to Allah? He said: “They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for kind treatment. If you treat one of them kindly for a lifetime, then she sees something from you, she says, ‘I have never seen anything good from you!’” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) Al-Muzhiri said, “ ‘They curse a great deal’ – the root meaning of the word la‘n (translated here as curse) is to be cast away from goodness, and the word is used to refer to insulting and saying vile words to someone. What is meant is that they habitually insult people a great deal and hurt them with their words. The phrase ‘They are ungrateful to their husbands’ refers to their denying blessings and not giving thanks for them.
The word ‘ashir (translated here as husband) refers to the one with whom you mix and spend time; what is meant here is the husband; women deny the rights of their husbands and do not fulfil them, and they do not show gratitude for their favours and kind treatment. The one who does not give thanks to people has not given thanks to Allah, and the one who does not give thanks to Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, is deserving of punishment.”
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said,
“O women, give in charity and pray a great deal for forgiveness, for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of Hell.” A wise woman among them said: Why is it, O Messenger of Allah, that we are the majority of the people of Hell? He said: “You curse a great deal and are ungrateful (takfurna) to your husbands.” (Muslim)
2.6. The large size of the people of HellIt was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said,
“The distance between the shoulders of the disbeliever in Hell will be the distance of three nights travel for a swift rider.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said,
“The molar of the disbeliever will be like Uhud.” (Muslim) Al-Nawawi said: “All of this is so that it will cause greater pain, and all of this is something that Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, is able to do. We must believe in it, because the truthful one, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), told us of it.”
2.7. The food, drink and clothing of the people of Hell
2.7.1. The food of the people of Hell
Dry thorns: Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And will have no food except dry thorns that will neither nourish nor satisfy hunger." (al-Ghashiyah 88:6-7)
Al-Zaqqum
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the wicked. Like dregs of oil, it will boil in their bellies, like the boiling of scalding water." (al-Dukhan 44:43-46) "Is that the better dwelling place, or the tree of Zaqqum? Verily, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers. It is a tree that grows from the depths of hell; its fruits are like the heads of devils.
They will surely eat thereof, filling their bellies. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture of filthy, scalding water to drink, then to hell will they return." (al-Saffat 37:62-68) "Then you, O misguided deniers, will surely eat from the tree of Zaqqum, filling your bellies with it, and drinking scalding water on top of it, drinking like thirsty camels.
This will be their welcome on the Day of Judgement." (al-Waqi‘ah 56:51-56)
Pus (discharge of wounds)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "So today he has no relative or friend here, and no food except pus, which no one will eat except the sinners." (al-Haqqah 69:35-37)
2.7.2. The drinks of the people of Hell
Scalding water
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And be given scalding water to drink that will tear their intestines." (Muhammad 47:15)
Pus (purulent discharge)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "This is the punishment, so let them taste it: scalding water and pus." (Sad 38:57)
Al-Sam‘ani said, “As for the meaning of scalding water, we have explained it; it is exceedingly hot water. As for pus, it is the purulent discharge that comes out of their skins.”
Water like boiling dregs of oil
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "For the wrongdoers We have prepared a fire which will encompass them like the walls of a pavilion. If they cry for help, they will be given water like boiling dregs of oil that will scald their faces. What a dreadful drink, and what a miserable resting place." (al-Kahf 18:29)
Putrid water
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Ahead of him is hell, and he will be given putrid water to drink.
He will sip it unwillingly, hardly able to swallow it." (Ibrahim 14:16-17)
It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah has made a covenant that whoever drinks intoxicants, He will give him to drink of the mud of al-khabal.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, what is the mud of al-khabal? He said: “The sweat of the people of Hell, or the juice of the people of Hell.” (Muslim)
2.7.3. The clothing of the people of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "As for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads." (al-Hajj 22:19) "And you will see the evildoers that day bound together in shackles,
their garments of pitch and fire enveloping their faces." (Ibrahim 14:49-50)
2.8. The severity of the punishment of the people of Hell, and the different punishments they will undergo
2.8.1. The severity of the punishment that the people of Hell will suffer
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “The most affluent of the people in this world, of those who will go to Hell, will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and dipped once in the Fire. Then it will be said: ‘O son of Adam, did you ever see anything good? Did you ever have any pleasure?’ He will say: ‘No, by Allah, O Lord.’” (Muslim)
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to the least severely punished person in Hell: ‘If you had the world and everything in it, would you ransom yourself with it?’ He will say: ‘Yes.’ He will say: ‘I asked you for something less than that when you were in the loins of Adam: (I asked you) not to associate anything with Me – I think he said – and I would not cause you to enter Hell, but you insisted on shirk (associating others with Allah).’” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
2.8.2. Types of punishments that the people of Hell will undergo
i. Burning of their skins
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "As for those who reject Our revelations, We will cast them into fire; as often as their skins are burnt through, We will replace them with fresh skins, so that they may continue to taste the punishment. Verily, Allah is Almighty, Most Wise." (al-Nisa’ 4:56)
ii. Melting of their insides and skins
The insides and skins of the disbelievers will be melted. "As for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads, which will cause their insides and their skins to melt." (al-Hajj 22:19-20)
iii. Burning of their faces
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "The fire will burn their faces, and they will grin therein, with shrivelled lips." (al-Mu’minun 23:104)
Al-Sa‘di said, “The Fire will burn their faces and overwhelm them on all sides, until it touches all parts of their bodies and the flames will burn their faces. And they will grin therein that is, they will grimace, and their lips will shrink from the intensity and gravity of the situation with which they are faced.”
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "On the day when their faces are turned over in the fire, they will say: Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!" (al-Ahzab 33:66)
iv. Being dragged
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, the evildoers are in error and will be in the raging fire.
On the day when they will be dragged in the fire on their faces it will be said to them: Taste the agony of hell!" (al-Qamar 54:47-48) "But they will come to know the consequences of their deeds when, with iron collars and chains around their necks, they are dragged into the scalding water, then they will be burned in the fire." (Ghafir 40:70-72)
v. The Fire will surround the disbelievers
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "They will have a bed of hellfire and over them will be coverings of fire. Thus We requite the wrongdoers." (al-A‘raf 7:41) "On the day when the punishment will overwhelm them from above them and from beneath their feet, and it will be said: Taste the punishment for what you used to do!" (al-‘Ankabut 29:55) "Say: This is the truth from your Lord. So let him who will, believe; and let him who will, disbelieve. For the wrongdoers We have prepared a fire which will encompass them like the walls of a pavilion. If they cry for help, they will be given water like boiling dregs of oil that will scald their faces. What a dreadful drink, and what a miserable resting place!" (al-Kahf 18:29)
vi. The Fire will reach right into the hearts
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "By no means! He will surely be flung into the crushing fire,
and how could you know what the crushing fire is? It is Allah’s own kindled fire, which will reach right into the hearts." (al-Humazah 104:4-7)
vii. A man dragging his intestines in Hell
It was narrated from Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown into the Fire; his intestines will spill forth and he will go around them as a donkey goes around the millstone. The people of Hell will gather around him and will say: ‘O So and so, what is the matter with you? Did you not enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil?’ He will say: ‘Yes, but I used to enjoin good and not do it, and I used to forbid evil and do it.’” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains, iron collars and a raging fire." (al-Insan 76:4) "And We will place iron collars on the necks of those who disbelieved. Should they be requited for anything other than what they used to do?" (Saba’ 34:33) "When, with iron collars and chains around their necks, they are dragged." (Ghafir 40:71) "Take him and place an iron collar on his neck, then admit him to the blazing fire, then bind him in a chain the length of which is seventy cubits." (al-Haqqah 69:30-32) "They will be lashed with rods of iron. Every time they want to escape from it, in their anguish, they will be driven back into it and it will be said to them: Taste the punishment of the scorching fire!" (al-Hajj 22:21-22)
ix. Their objects of worship and their devils will be put with them in the Fire
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, you O disbelievers and that which you worship besides Allah are fuel for hell; to it you will surely come. If these idols had really been gods, they would not have come to it. But they will all abide therein forever." (al-Anbiya’ 21:98-99)
The disbelievers will be put with their devils in order to make their punishment even worse
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Whoever turns away from the reminder of the Most Gracious the Qur’an, We will assign to him a devil to be his constant companion.
Verily, they the devils bar them from the right path, but they think that they are rightly guided. Then when such a one comes to Us, he will say to his devil companion: Would that there was between me and you the distance between east and west. What a wretched companion! It will be said to them: As you have done wrong, it will not benefit you today that you are to share the punishment." (al-Zukhruf 43:36-39)
x. Their regret, remorse and supplication
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Verily, if every soul that did wrong possessed all that is on earth, it would offer it in ransom. They will conceal their remorse, when they see the punishment. Judgement will be passed between them with justice, and they will not be wronged." (Yunus 10:54) "As for the one who is given his record of deeds from behind his back, he will call out wishing for death, and he will enter the raging fire." (al-Inshiqaq 84:10-12)
They will scream loudly, at the tops of their voices, and will beg their Lord to bring them out of the Fire.
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "There they will cry out loud: Our Lord, bring us out; we will do righteous deeds, different from what we used to do. Allah will say to them: Did We not make your lives long enough for anyone who might reflect and pay heed to do so? And, moreover, the warner did come to you. So taste the punishment. For the wrongdoers there will be no helpers." (Fatir 35:37)
They will admit their misguidance and disbelief, and their lack of understanding. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "And they will say: If only we had listened or understood, we would not be among the inhabitants of the raging fire." (al-Mulk 67:10)
But their request will be forcefully rejected. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "They will say: Our Lord, our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we were people who went astray.
Our Lord, deliver us from this. Then if we return to evil, we will indeed be wrongdoers. Allah will say: Away with you! Be humiliated therein and do not speak to Me." (al-Mu’minun 23:106-108)
The decree will be fulfilled, and they will find themselves in a situation in which no supplication will be to any avail and they will lose all hope.
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "If only you could see when the evildoers hang their heads before their Lord and say: Our Lord, We have seen and we have heard. Send us back to the world; we will do righteous deeds, for now we believe with certainty. If We had so willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but My decree will be fulfilled: I will certainly fill hell with jinn and men, all together. So taste the consequences of your forgetting the meeting of this day of yours. We, too, will forget you, so taste the eternal punishment for what you used to do." (al-Sajdah 32:12-14)
The people of Hell will call out to the keepers of Hell, asking them to intercede for them so that Allah may reduce their suffering somewhat. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Those who are in the fire will say to the keepers of hell: Call upon your Lord to alleviate the punishment for us for one day. They will say: Did your Messengers not come to you with clear signs? They will say: Yes. They will say: Then call upon Him yourselves! The supplication of those who disbelieve is all in vain." (Ghafir 40:49-50)
They will ask for intercession so that their Lord might let them die. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "They will call out to the keeper of hell: O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us! He will say: Verily, you will remain in the same plight forever." (al-Zukhruf 43:77)
Everything that the people of Hell ask for will be refused, so they will have no way out of it and no reduction in the punishment, and no death or oblivion to put an end to them; rather theirs will be an eternal, everlasting punishment.
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, tells us that it will be sent to them (interpretation of the meaning), "Burn therein, and whether you bear it patiently or not, it will make no difference to you; you will be requited only for what you used to do." (al-Tur 52:16)
The people of Hell will cry, sob and weep for a long time. "Let them laugh a little; they will weep much as a recompense for their misdeeds." (al-Tawbah 9:82) "On the day when their faces are turned over in the fire, they will say: Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!
They will say: Our Lord, we obeyed our leaders and elders, and they led us astray from the right path. Our Lord, give them a double punishment and curse them with a mighty curse." (al-Ahzab 33:66-68) "As for those who were destined to be wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is violent exhaling and inhaling As for those who are wretched, they will be in the fire, where they will wail and moan." (Hud 11:106)
2.9. Hell is eternal and will never come to an end
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, tells us that the people of Hell will abide therein for ever and ever. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "Those who disbelieve and do wrong, Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any path, except the path that leads to hell, to abide therein forever." (al-Nisa’ 4:168-169) "Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and has prepared for them a raging fire.
They will abide therein forever." (al-Ahzab 33:64-65) "And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, for him is the fire of hell, to abide therein forever." (al-Jinn 72:23)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, describes them as never emerging from the Fire. Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "They will never emerge from the fire." (al-Baqarah 2:167)
Some scholarly views regarding the issue of Paradise and Hell being eternal and never ending, and that their people who are destined to be their people will abide in them for ever, without end:
i. Abu Hatim al-Razi and Abu Zur‘ah ar-Razi said, “We met the scholars in all regions, the Hijaz, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and part of their belief is… that Paradise is real and Hell is real; they are both already created and they will never cease to exist.”
ii. al-Tahhawi said, “Paradise and Hell are two of the creations of Allah which will never cease to exist and will never come to an end.”
iii. Abu’l-Hasan al-Ash‘ari said, “All the Muslims say that Paradise and Hell will have no end, and that they will continue to exist forever. They also say that the people of Paradise will remain in Paradise, enjoying its bliss forever, and the people of Hell will remain in Hell, suffering torment forever, and there will be no end to that.
iv. Ibn Hazm said, “The scholars are unanimously agreed… that Hell is real, and that it is an abode of eternal punishment that will not come to an end, and its people will never die; rather it is eternal.”
aqadia
