Praise be to Allah (The Glorified and Exalted).
We seek refuge in Allah (The Exalted and Glorified). The existence of Hell is to be taken literally. It is the place of punishment for whomever Allah Wills. Allah is Most-Merciful to His creation, in that he has given them life, sustenance, and numerous benefits. Yet, there is another aspect to the Almighty, in that He is also the Lawgiver and is strict in punishment. He has directed man to submit to His Will. Those who choose to be ungrateful to Allah and refuse to submit to Him, they have committed the worst crime, treason against their Creator. They have persistently insulted and undermined the authority of the Creator. This is mentioned in the following hadith:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah said, ‘The son of Adam tells a lie against Me and he hasn’t the right to do so; and he abuses Me and he hasn’t the right to do so. His telling a lie against Me is his saying that I will not recreate him as I created him for the first time; and his abusing Me is his saying that Allah has begotten children, while I am the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none like unto Me.” [Bukhari: Book 6: Volume 60: Hadith 499]
Any individual that lives in rebellion to Allah (The Exalted), is endanger of being among the criminals that will face the punishment of Hell-fire. It is also the case that there are prisons located within Hell, for the varying classes of sinners.
Creation of Hell:
There is one Hell, but it has seven levels. The fire of Hell is sixty-nine times more severe than the fire of this world. Hell is also vast and its depth is great. The description of Hell is mentioned in the following verse of the Qur’an and hadith:
Malik related to me from Abu’z-Zinad from al-Araj from Abu Hurayrah:
That the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The fire of the children of Adam which they kindle is a seventieth part [i.e. 1/70] of the fire of Hell.” They said, ‘Messenger of Allah, this fire is certainly enough.’ He said, “That fire [of Hell] is sixty-nine times greater.” [Malik: Book 57: Hadith 57.1.1]
The Gatekeeper and The Guards:
The gatekeeper of Hell is the angel Malik. There are a total of nineteen angels set as guards over Hell.
Narrated Ya’la:
I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reciting when on the pulpit, “They will cry, “O Malik (Keeper of Hell) Let your Lord make an end of us” (43:77).” [Bukhari: Book 6: Volume 60: Hadith 344]
The Cursed Tree:
The cursed tree is named Zaqqum and comes out from the bottom of Hell.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a drop of Zaqqum were to fall in this world, it would destroy the livelihood of the people of this world.” [al-Tirmidhi no. 2585; classed as authentic by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5126.]
The Inmates:
Those who rejected the Oneness of Allah and refused to submit to Him will be confined to Hell. Muslims who committed major sins and were not forgiven at Judgment, will also be punished in Hell.
“…Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.” [17:39]
“Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants [i.e. angels, saints, prophets, jinn, etc] as protectors besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the unbelievers for (their) entertainment.” [18:102]
The Chain:
The inmates of Hell will be interlocked in a massive chain made of iron.
Concerning the chain the sinners are arranged upon, Ibn Kathir in his Commentary on verses 30-35 of Surat al-Haaqqa, mentions that the sinners will have iron collars placed around their necks. He further stated that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said the chain “it will be entered into his [the sinners] buttocks and pulled out of his mouth (in another narration from the sinners nostrils). Then they [the sinners] will be arranged on this (chain) just like locusts are arranged on a stick that is being roasted.”
Sorrow and Regret:
The Angels of Punishment:
Other than the Guards and the Gatekeeper, there will be numerous angels in Hell. These other angels are referred to as the “Angels of Punishment.” They are the ones appointed to carry out punishments. They are mentioned in the following verses of the Qur’an and hadith:
The Punishments and The Blameworthy:
The punishments in Hell will differ according to the level of unbelief or sin. The prisoners in the first level of Hell will be given more lenient punishments compared to those occupying the seventh level, which is the abode and torment of Iblis. Yet, all of the punishments will be severe and the inhabitants will be burned by the fire. This section mentions some of the sinners and their punishments. The prisoners will never die, there bodies will be continuously renewed.
al-Nu’man ibn Basheer reported:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The least severely punished of the people of Hell will be a man who has two shoes and shoelaces of Fire – according to another version: two live coals will be placed on the soles of his feet – because of which his brains will boil as a pot boils. He will not think that anyone is being punished more severely than him, but he will be the one who is punished most lightly.” [al-Bukhari no. 6562; Muslim no. 212]
The Plea for Destruction:
A person will not be able to bear the torment of Hell, not even for a second. The inmates of Hell will call out for their own destruction when they are plunged into the Fire.
We seek refuge with Allah from earning His Displeasure and Allah (The Glorified and Exalted) Knows Best.
*Also see the thread: "Proving ISLAM" http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40837
We seek refuge in Allah (The Exalted and Glorified). The existence of Hell is to be taken literally. It is the place of punishment for whomever Allah Wills. Allah is Most-Merciful to His creation, in that he has given them life, sustenance, and numerous benefits. Yet, there is another aspect to the Almighty, in that He is also the Lawgiver and is strict in punishment. He has directed man to submit to His Will. Those who choose to be ungrateful to Allah and refuse to submit to Him, they have committed the worst crime, treason against their Creator. They have persistently insulted and undermined the authority of the Creator. This is mentioned in the following hadith:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah said, ‘The son of Adam tells a lie against Me and he hasn’t the right to do so; and he abuses Me and he hasn’t the right to do so. His telling a lie against Me is his saying that I will not recreate him as I created him for the first time; and his abusing Me is his saying that Allah has begotten children, while I am the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none like unto Me.” [Bukhari: Book 6: Volume 60: Hadith 499]
Any individual that lives in rebellion to Allah (The Exalted), is endanger of being among the criminals that will face the punishment of Hell-fire. It is also the case that there are prisons located within Hell, for the varying classes of sinners.
Creation of Hell:
There is one Hell, but it has seven levels. The fire of Hell is sixty-nine times more severe than the fire of this world. Hell is also vast and its depth is great. The description of Hell is mentioned in the following verse of the Qur’an and hadith:
“To it [Hell] are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.” [15:44]
Malik related to me from Abu’z-Zinad from al-Araj from Abu Hurayrah:
That the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The fire of the children of Adam which they kindle is a seventieth part [i.e. 1/70] of the fire of Hell.” They said, ‘Messenger of Allah, this fire is certainly enough.’ He said, “That fire [of Hell] is sixty-nine times greater.” [Malik: Book 57: Hadith 57.1.1]
The Gatekeeper and The Guards:
The gatekeeper of Hell is the angel Malik. There are a total of nineteen angels set as guards over Hell.
Narrated Ya’la:
I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reciting when on the pulpit, “They will cry, “O Malik (Keeper of Hell) Let your Lord make an end of us” (43:77).” [Bukhari: Book 6: Volume 60: Hadith 344]
“Over it [Hell] are Nineteen. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire…” [74:30-31]
The Cursed Tree:
The cursed tree is named Zaqqum and comes out from the bottom of Hell.
“Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum? For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrongdoers. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire: The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils” [37:62-65]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a drop of Zaqqum were to fall in this world, it would destroy the livelihood of the people of this world.” [al-Tirmidhi no. 2585; classed as authentic by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5126.]
The Inmates:
Those who rejected the Oneness of Allah and refused to submit to Him will be confined to Hell. Muslims who committed major sins and were not forgiven at Judgment, will also be punished in Hell.
“…Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.” [17:39]
“Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants [i.e. angels, saints, prophets, jinn, etc] as protectors besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the unbelievers for (their) entertainment.” [18:102]
“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger [Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)] after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the Believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell — what an evil destination!” [4:115]
The Chain:
The inmates of Hell will be interlocked in a massive chain made of iron.
“Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars, and a blazing Fire.” [76:4]
“(The stern command will say): ‘Seize ye him [the sinner], and bind ye him, And burn ye him in the Blazing Fire. Further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits!’ This was he that would not believe in Allah Most High. And would not encourage the feeding of the indigent! So no friend hath he here this Day.’” [69:30-35]
“(The stern command will say): ‘Seize ye him [the sinner], and bind ye him, And burn ye him in the Blazing Fire. Further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits!’ This was he that would not believe in Allah Most High. And would not encourage the feeding of the indigent! So no friend hath he here this Day.’” [69:30-35]
Concerning the chain the sinners are arranged upon, Ibn Kathir in his Commentary on verses 30-35 of Surat al-Haaqqa, mentions that the sinners will have iron collars placed around their necks. He further stated that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said the chain “it will be entered into his [the sinners] buttocks and pulled out of his mouth (in another narration from the sinners nostrils). Then they [the sinners] will be arranged on this (chain) just like locusts are arranged on a stick that is being roasted.”
Sorrow and Regret:
“There, sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (aught else).” [21:100]
The Angels of Punishment:
Other than the Guards and the Gatekeeper, there will be numerous angels in Hell. These other angels are referred to as the “Angels of Punishment.” They are the ones appointed to carry out punishments. They are mentioned in the following verses of the Qur’an and hadith:
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do exactly what they are commanded” [66:6]
The Punishments and The Blameworthy:
The punishments in Hell will differ according to the level of unbelief or sin. The prisoners in the first level of Hell will be given more lenient punishments compared to those occupying the seventh level, which is the abode and torment of Iblis. Yet, all of the punishments will be severe and the inhabitants will be burned by the fire. This section mentions some of the sinners and their punishments. The prisoners will never die, there bodies will be continuously renewed.
“And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone! Darkening and changing the color of man!” [74:27-29]
“…for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in…” [18:29]
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.” [23:104]
“Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” [4:56]
“…for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in…” [18:29]
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.” [23:104]
“Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” [4:56]
al-Nu’man ibn Basheer reported:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The least severely punished of the people of Hell will be a man who has two shoes and shoelaces of Fire – according to another version: two live coals will be placed on the soles of his feet – because of which his brains will boil as a pot boils. He will not think that anyone is being punished more severely than him, but he will be the one who is punished most lightly.” [al-Bukhari no. 6562; Muslim no. 212]
The Plea for Destruction:
A person will not be able to bear the torment of Hell, not even for a second. The inmates of Hell will call out for their own destruction when they are plunged into the Fire.
“When it [Hell] sees them from a place far off, they will hear its fury and its raging sigh. And when they are cast, bound together into a constricted place therein, they will plead for destruction there and then! ‘This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction oft-repeated!’” [25:12-14]
We seek refuge with Allah from earning His Displeasure and Allah (The Glorified and Exalted) Knows Best.
*Also see the thread: "Proving ISLAM" http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40837