Authored by: Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (Hafizahullah)
Question:
What are the evidences regarding whether Hell is in the heavens or beneath the earth?
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ ١٤ عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ
“At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, near it is the Garden of Refuge.”
[Surah An-Najm: 14-15]
Additionally, Allah mentions the records of the righteous in "Illiyyin," a place of highness above all the heavens, while the records of the wicked are described as being in "Sijjin," which is in the lowest depths. Allah states:
وَإِذَا أُلْقُوا مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِينَ...
“And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein, bound in chains...”
[Surah Al-Furqan: 13]
Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) explains in his Tafsir that this implies Hell is in the lowest of depths.
Allah says:
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ
“Then We return him to the lowest of the low.”
[Surah At-Tin: 5]
Some interpretations suggest that this refers to Hell, except for those whom Allah has safeguarded.
From the Narrations of the Companions:
Evidence from Barzakh (Intermediate Life):
Allah states regarding Pharaoh's people:
النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا
“The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening...”
[Surah Ghafir: 46]
This torment occurs during the Barzakh, prior to the Day of Judgment. Further, it is mentioned that the gates of Heaven will not be opened for disbelievers:
لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ
“The gates of Heaven will not be opened for them.”
[Surah Al-A’raf: 40]
The Prophet (ﷺ) elaborated in the hadith of Al-Bara bin Azib regarding the soul of a disbeliever:
“When they reach the gate of the lowest heaven, it will not be opened for them.”
[Musnad Ahmad, 4/287; Al-Mustadrak, 1/37]
Allah says:
وَإِذَا الْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ
“And when the seas are set aflame.”
[Surah At-Takwir: 6]
Some scholars explain that all seas will merge into one, and they will be set on fire, transforming into Hell. This interpretation is supported by several scholars from the Salaf.
Reference to "Sijjin":
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
“Hell surrounds the disbelievers.”
[Surah Al-Ankabut: 53]
Some scholars interpret "Hell" in this verse as referring to the oceans.
Statement of Ali (رضي الله عنه):
When asked by a Jew about Hell's location, Ali (رضي الله عنه) replied:
“It is the ocean.” He supported this by referencing Allah’s words:
وَالْبَحْرِ الْمَسْجُورِ
“And by the sea filled with fire.”
[Surah At-Tur: 6]
Question:
What are the evidences regarding whether Hell is in the heavens or beneath the earth?
Answer:
From the apparent evidences, it is understood that Hell is located beneath the earth, possibly in the depths of the seventh earth or under the oceans. It is also possible that its exact location is known only to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). Allah has mentioned about Paradise:عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ ١٤ عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ
“At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, near it is the Garden of Refuge.”
[Surah An-Najm: 14-15]
Additionally, Allah mentions the records of the righteous in "Illiyyin," a place of highness above all the heavens, while the records of the wicked are described as being in "Sijjin," which is in the lowest depths. Allah states:
وَإِذَا أُلْقُوا مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِينَ...
“And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein, bound in chains...”
[Surah Al-Furqan: 13]
Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) explains in his Tafsir that this implies Hell is in the lowest of depths.
Supporting Evidences:
From the Quran:Allah says:
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ
“Then We return him to the lowest of the low.”
[Surah At-Tin: 5]
Some interpretations suggest that this refers to Hell, except for those whom Allah has safeguarded.
From the Narrations of the Companions:
- Abu Na'im narrates from Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) that Hell is located beneath the seventh earth.
- Ibn Manda reports that Mujahid (رحمه الله) asked Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) about Hell's location, and he replied:
“It is beneath the seventh ocean, locked and secured.” - Similar reports have been transmitted from Abdullah bin Salam and Qatadah (رضي الله عنهم).
Evidence from Barzakh (Intermediate Life):
Allah states regarding Pharaoh's people:
النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا
“The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening...”
[Surah Ghafir: 46]
This torment occurs during the Barzakh, prior to the Day of Judgment. Further, it is mentioned that the gates of Heaven will not be opened for disbelievers:
لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ
“The gates of Heaven will not be opened for them.”
[Surah Al-A’raf: 40]
The Prophet (ﷺ) elaborated in the hadith of Al-Bara bin Azib regarding the soul of a disbeliever:
“When they reach the gate of the lowest heaven, it will not be opened for them.”
[Musnad Ahmad, 4/287; Al-Mustadrak, 1/37]
Interpretations of Hell’s Location:
Under the Oceans:Allah says:
وَإِذَا الْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ
“And when the seas are set aflame.”
[Surah At-Takwir: 6]
Some scholars explain that all seas will merge into one, and they will be set on fire, transforming into Hell. This interpretation is supported by several scholars from the Salaf.
Reference to "Sijjin":
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
“Hell surrounds the disbelievers.”
[Surah Al-Ankabut: 53]
Some scholars interpret "Hell" in this verse as referring to the oceans.
Statement of Ali (رضي الله عنه):
When asked by a Jew about Hell's location, Ali (رضي الله عنه) replied:
“It is the ocean.” He supported this by referencing Allah’s words:
وَالْبَحْرِ الْمَسْجُورِ
“And by the sea filled with fire.”
[Surah At-Tur: 6]