Source: Khutbat Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tawheed.com
This article consists of a discussion on Hell and the inhabitants of Hell. It will highlight the importance of seeking refuge from Hell in light of the verses of the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the wisdom of warning against Hell, the dialogue between Paradise and Hell, and mention several actions that lead a person closer to Hell. The aim is that we fear the punishment of Hell, obey Allah, and reform ourselves so that Allah Almighty protects us from the Fire. Ameen.
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty describes one of the attributes of His righteous servants as those who constantly seek refuge from the punishment of Hell:
﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَہَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَہَا کَانَ غَرَامًا. إِنَّہَا سَآئَ تْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَّمُقَامًا﴾
Translation: “And (the righteous servants of Allah) are those who pray: O our Lord! Keep us away from the punishment of Hell, indeed its punishment is one that clings. Surely, it is the worst place to stay and dwell.”
Similarly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach the Companions رضي الله عنهم the supplication for seeking refuge from Hell with the same diligence as he taught the chapters of the Quran. Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه states:
(( اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَہَنَّمَ،وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَسِیْحِ الدَّجَّالِ،وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَحْیَا وَالْمَمَاتِ))
Translation: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Messiah, the Dajjal, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.”
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ frequently used to make this supplication:
﴿رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِی الدُّنْیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّفِی الْآخِرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴾
Translation: “O our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ سَأَلَ اللّٰہَ الْجَنَّۃَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ، قَالَتِ الْجَنَّۃُ : اَللّٰہُمَّ أَدْخِلْہُ الْجَنَّۃَ ، وَمَنِ اسْتَجَارَ مِنَ النَّارِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ،قَالَتِ النَّارُ : اَللّٰہُمَّ أَجِرْہُ مِنَ النَّارِ ))
Translation: “Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise says: O Allah! Admit him into Paradise. And whoever seeks refuge from the Fire three times, Hell says: O Allah! Grant him refuge from the Fire.”
All these evidences indicate that seeking refuge from Hell is not merely a voluntary act, but a prominent characteristic of the believers and a consistent teaching of the noble Prophet ﷺ. Therefore, we should also adopt this habit.
The purpose of mentioning Hell in the Quran and Sunnah is that a person emerges from heedlessness, avoids sins, and remains steadfast on the straight path. Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ یَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوْہُہُمْ فِیْ النَّارِ یَقُوْلُوْنَ یَا لَیْتَنَا أَطَعْنَا اللّٰہَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُوْلاَ ﴾
Translation: “On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!”
This regret will be of no benefit there, so the path to salvation is to adopt obedience in this world.
Then Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ یَوْمَ یُسْحَبُوْنَ فِیْ النَّارِ عَلیٰ وُجُوْہِہِمْ ذُوْقُوْا مَسَّ سَقَرَ﴾
Translation: “On the Day when they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire (it will be said): Taste the heat of the Fire and the punishment!”
Hazrat Adi bin Hatim رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Hell, and out of fear, he turned his face away, then said:
(( اِتَّقُوْا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَۃٍ ، فَمَنْ لَّمْ یَجِدْ فَبِکَلِمَۃٍ طَیِّبَۃٍ ))
Translation: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if it is by giving half a date in charity. And whoever does not find that, then let him say a good word.”
Similarly, when this verse was revealed:
﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِیْرَتَکَ الْأَقْرَبِیْنَ﴾
Translation: "And warn your closest relatives."
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gathered the Quraysh and clearly called out to everyone, both prominent and ordinary, to save themselves from the Fire, even saying to his daughter Sayyida Fatimah رضي الله عنها:
( یَا فَاطِمَۃُ! أَنْقِذِیْ نَفْسَکِ مِنَ النَّارِ،فَإِنِّیْ لَا أَمْلِکُ لَکُمْ مِنَ اللّٰہِ شَیْئًا )
Translation: "O Fatimah! Save yourself from the Fire, for I have no power to help you before Allah."
And on the Day of Resurrection, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the terror of Hell in this way:
(( یُؤْتٰی بِالنَّارِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ،لَہَا سَبْعُوْنَ أَلْفَ زِمَامٍ،مَعَ کُلِّ زِمَامٍ سَبْعُوْنَ أَلْفَ مَلَکٍ یَجُرُّوْنَہَا))
Translation: "On the Day of Resurrection, Hell will be brought forth with seventy thousand bridles, and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels pulling it."
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that there was a repetition between Paradise and Hell. Paradise said that weak and poor people would enter it, and Hell said that oppressors and arrogant people would enter it. Then Allah, the Exalted, made Hell a means of His punishment and Paradise a means of His mercy, and said that both must be filled.
This Hadith clearly indicates that we must particularly avoid two things:
◈ Oppression
◈ Arrogance
That is why the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( اِتَّقُوْا الظُّلْمَ ، فَإِنَّ الظُّلْمَ ظُلُمَاتٌ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ ))
Translation: "Beware of oppression, for oppression will be a cause of darkness on the Day of Resurrection."
And he said:
(( لَا یَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّۃَ مَنْ کَانَ فِیْ قَلْبِہٖ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّۃٍ مِنْ کِبْرٍ ))
Translation: "No one who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise."
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that on the Day of Resurrection, the first to be called will be Prophet Adam عليه السلام, and his offspring will be presented. Then it will be commanded to separate the group destined for Hell from his offspring. Allah تعالى will say: "Take out ninety-nine from every hundred." The Companions رضي الله عنهم became anxious and asked, "Who will be left?" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "My Ummah will be like a white hair in a black bull compared to the previous nations."
Translation (summary of the meaning): This means that the number of the Ummah of Muhammad will be small compared to other nations, but there is hope and glad tidings for the believers—provided that the servant remains steadfast on guidance.
One significant reason to fear the punishment of Hell is that some people perform seemingly great good deeds, but due to lack of sincerity, those actions become a source of destruction instead of salvation for them. It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, the first person to be judged will be a martyr... Allah تعالى will remind him of His blessings... Then He will ask: What deeds did you perform? He will say: I fought in Your way and was martyred. Allah will say: You are lying; you fought so that you would be called brave... Then he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell."
Then a scholar/reader will be brought forth… he will say: I acquired knowledge, taught people, recited the Qur'an… Allah will say: You are lying, you did this so that you would be called a scholar and a reader… then he will also be dragged on his face into Hell.
Then a wealthy person will be brought forth… he will say: I spent for Your pleasure… Allah will say: You are lying, you spent so that you would be called generous… then he will also be dragged on his face into Hell.
Then Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ struck my knee and said:
(( یَا أَبَا ہُرَیْرَۃَ !أُولٰئِکَ الثَّلاثَۃُ أَوَّلُ خَلْقِ اللّٰہِ تُسَعَّرُ بِہِمُ النَّارَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ))
Translation: “O Abu Hurairah! These three people are the first among Allah's creation who will be the fuel for the Fire of Hell on the Day of Resurrection.”
It is clear from this that showing off nullifies good deeds. That is why the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أخَافُ عَلَیْکُمُ الشِّرْکُ الْأصْغَرُ... قَالَ: الرِّیَائُ... ))
Translation: “I fear for you the most the minor shirk… (the companions asked) What is minor shirk? He said: Showing off… Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Resurrection: Go to those for whom you showed off in the world and see if you receive any reward from them?”
In this context, there is another narration with a severe warning that says, “Seek refuge from the ‘well of sorrow.’” Then he said:
(( وَادٍ فِیْ جَہَنَّمَ یَتَعَوَّذُ مِنْہُ جَہَنَّمُ کُلَّ یَوْمِ أَرْبَعَمِائَۃِ مَرَّۃ ))
Translation: “This is a valley of Hell from which Hell itself seeks refuge four hundred times a day.”
Then he said:
(( أُعِدَّ لِلْقُرَّائِ الْمُرَائِیْنَ بِأَعْمَالِہِمْ... ))
Translation: “This has been prepared for those reciters who perform acts for show… and the most disliked reciters to Allah are those who go to and from (tyrannical) rulers.”
Allah, the Exalted, has described the severity of the fire of Hell in various ways:
﴿ فَأَنْذَرْتُکُمْ نَارًا تَلَظّٰی﴾
Translation: “I have warned you of a blazing fire.”
﴿سَیَصْلٰی نَارًا ذَاتَ لَہَبٍ﴾
Translation: “He will soon enter a blazing fire.”
﴿ إِنَّہَا تَرْمِیْ بِشَرَرٍ کَالْقَصْرِ﴾
Translation: “It (Hell) will throw forth great embers like palaces.”
And He said:
﴿کَلاَّ إِنَّہَا لَظیٰ. نَزَّاعَۃً لِّلشَّوٰی. تَدْعُوْ مَنْ أَدْبَرَ وَتَوَلّٰی. وَجَمَعَ فَأَوْعٰی﴾
Translation: “Never! It will be a flame of fire, skin-pulling, it will call to him who turns away from the truth and turns his back, and gathers wealth and hoards it.”
And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the difference between the fire of this world and the fire of Hell as follows:
(( نَارُکُمْ ہٰذِہِ... جُزْئٌ مِنْ سَبْعِیْنَ جُزْئًا مِنْ نَّارِ جَہَنَّمَ... ))
Then he said: (( فَإِنَّہَا فُضِّلَتْ عَلَیْہَا بِتِسْعَۃٍ وَّسِتِّیْنَ جُزْئًا کُلُّہَا مِثْلُ حَرِّہَا ))
Translation: “The fire of your world is one-seventieth of the fire of Hell… and the fire of Hell is sixty-nine times more severe than it, and each degree of heat is equal to the fire of this world.”
The vastness and depth of Hell is so terrifying that reason is left astonished. Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that one day we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Suddenly, we heard a sound of something falling. He ﷺ said:
“Do you know what that sound was?”
We replied: Allah and His Messenger know best.
He ﷺ said:
(( ہٰذَا حَجَرٌ رُمِیَ بِہٖ فِی النَّارِ مُنْذُ سَبْعِیْنَ خَرِیْفًا ، فَہُوَ یَہْوِیْ فِی النَّارِ الْآنَ،حَتَّی انْتَہٰی إِلٰی قَعْرِہَا ))
Translation: “It was the sound of a stone falling that was thrown into Hell seventy years ago; it kept falling until it has now reached its bottom.”
Similarly, it was stated:
(( لَوْ أَنَّ حَجَرًا مِثْلَ سَبْعِ خَلِفَاتٍ أُلْقِیَ عَنْ شَفِیْرِ جَہَنَّمَ،ہَوٰی فِیْہَا سَبْعِیْنَ خَرِیْفًا،لاَ یَبْلُغُ قَعْرَہَا ))
Translation: “If a stone equal to seven fat camels were thrown from the edge of Hell, it would keep falling for seventy years and still not reach its bottom.”
These Hadiths clarify the terrifying depth of Hell.
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( تَخْرُجُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّارِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ،لَہَا عَیْنَانِ تُبْصِرَانِ،وَأُذُنَانِ تَسْمَعَانِ ،وَلِسَانٌ یَنْطِقُ،یَقُوْلُ: إِنِّیْ وُکِّلْتُ بِثَلَاثَۃٍ:بِکُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِیْدٍ،وَبِکُلِّ مَنْ دَعَا مَعَ اللّٰہِ إِلٰہًا آخَرَ، وَبِالْمُصَوِّرِیْنَ ))
Translation: “On the Day of Resurrection, a neck will emerge from Hell, having two eyes with which it will see, two ears with which it will hear, and a tongue with which it will say: I have been entrusted with three types of people: every rebellious tyrant, every person who associated partners with Allah, and those who make images.”
This Hadith clarifies that oppression, polytheism, and making images of living beings are actions that carry severe warnings.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( أُوْقِدَ عَلَی النَّارِ أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی احْمَرَّتْ،ثُمَّ أُوْقِدَ عَلَیْہَا أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی ابْیَضَّتْ،ثُمَّ أُوْقِدَ عَلَیْہَا أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی اسْوَدَّتْ،فَہِیَ سَوْدَائُ مُظْلِمَۃٌ))
Translation: “The fire of Hell was kindled for a thousand years until it became red, then it was kindled for another thousand years until it became white, then it was kindled for another thousand years until it became black; thus, it is now black and dark.”
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ غِلَظَ جِلْدِ الْکَافِرِ اثْنَانِ وَأَرْبَعُوْنَ ذِرَاعًا،وَإِنَّ ضِرْسَہُ مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ، وَإِنَّ مَجْلِسَہُ مِنْ جَہَنَّمَ کَمَا بَیْنَ مَکَّۃَ وَالْمَدِیْنَۃِ ))
Translation: “The thickness of the skin of a disbeliever will be forty-two hands, one of his molars will be equal to the mountain of Uhud, and the space for him to sit in Hell will be equal to the distance between Makkah and Madinah.”
And He said:
(( مَابَیْنَ مَنْکِبَیِ الْکَافِرِ فِیْ النَّارِ مَسِیْرَۃُ ثَلَاثَۃِ أَیَّامٍ لِلرَّاکِبِ الْمُسْرِعِ ))
Translation: “The distance between the two shoulders of a disbeliever in Hell will be as much as a fast rider covers in three days.”
The inhabitants of Hell will be given the tree of Zaqqum and dry thorns to eat.
﴿ إِنَّ شَجَرَۃَ الزَّقُّوْمِ. طَعَامُ الْأثِیْمِ. کَالْمُہْلِ یَغْلِیْ فِیْ الْبُطُوْنِ. کَغَلْیِ الْحَمِیْمِ ﴾
Translation: “Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum is the food of the sinful, it will be like molten copper, boiling in their bellies like boiling water.”
And He said:
﴿ فَلَیْسَ لَہُ الْیَوْمَ ہَاہُنَا حَمِیْمٌ. وَّلاَ طَعَامٌ إِلاَّ مِنْ غِسْلِیْنٍ﴾
Translation: “Today, he will have no friend, nor any food except pus.”
And:
﴿ لَیْسَ لَہُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلاَّ مِنْ ضَرِیْعٍ. لاَّ یُسْمِنُ وَلاَ یُغْنِیْ مِنْ جُوْعٍ﴾
Translation: “Their food will be nothing but dry thorns, which will neither fatten them nor satisfy their hunger.”
Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ وَیُسْقٰی مِنْ مَّآئٍ صَدِیْدٍ. یَتَجَرَّعُہُ وَلاَ یَکَادُ یُسِیْغُہُ﴾
Translation: “He will be given to drink from a boiling water, which he will sip but will hardly be able to swallow.”
And He said:
﴿ یُغَاثُوْا بِمَآئٍ کَالْمُہْلِ یَشْوِیْ الْوُجُوْہَ﴾
Translation: “They will be given water like molten copper, which will scorch their faces.”
And:
﴿ یُصَبُّ مِنْ فَوْقِ رُؤُوْسِہِمُ الْحَمِیْمُ. یُصْہَرُ بِہٖ مَا فِیْ بُطُوْنِہِمْ وَالْجُلُوْدُ ﴾
Translation: “Scalding water will be poured over their heads, causing their insides and skins to dissolve.”
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ أَہْوَنَ أَہْلِ النَّارِ عَذَابًا مَنْ لَہُ نَعْلَانِ وَشِرَاکَانِ مِنْ نَّارٍ،یَغْلِیْ مِنْہُمَا دِمَاغُہُ کَمَا یَغْلِیْ الْمِرْجَلُ،مَا یَرٰی أَنَّ أَحَدًا أَشَدُّ مِنْہُ عَذَابًا،وَإِنَّہُ لَأَہْوَنُہُمْ عَذَابًا))
Translation: "The person who will receive the least punishment among the inhabitants of Hell will be the one who will be given two sandals and two straps of fire, which will cause his brain to boil like a pot. He will think that he is receiving the most severe punishment, whereas he will actually be experiencing the least punishment."
Consider! If this is the least punishment, then what will be the condition of the others?
It is narrated from Hazrat Samurah bin Jundab رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی کَعْبَیْہِ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی رُکْبَتَیْہِ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی حُجْزَتِہٖ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی عُنُقِہٖ ))
Translation: "Some people will be caught by the fire up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to their waists, and some up to their necks."
This difference will be due to the difference in their deeds.
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا لَہُمْ نَارُ جَہَنَّمَ لاَ یُقْضٰی عَلَیْہِمْ فَیَمُوْتُوْا وَلاَیُخَفَّفُ عَنْہُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابِہَا...﴾
They will neither die nor will the punishment be lessened for them, but they will scream, 'O our Lord! Take us out; we will do righteous deeds.' But they will be answered: 'Were you not given respite in the world?'
In another place, He says:
﴿فَأَمَّا الَّذِیْنَ شَقُوْا فَفِیْ النَّارِ لَہُمْ فِیْہَا زَفِیْرٌ وَّشَہِیْقٌ﴾
"There, they will have screams and cries."
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Qais رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The inhabitants of Hell will cry so much that if their tears were to be used, boats could sail in them."
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿أَلَمْ یَعْلَمُوْا أَنَّہُ مَنْ یُّحَادِدِ اللّٰہَ وَرَسُوْلَہُ فَأَنَّ لَہُ نَارَ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا فِیْہَا﴾
"Whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, for him is Hell, wherein he will abide forever."
And He says:
﴿إِنَّہُ مَنْ یَّأْتِ رَبَّہُ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَہُ جَہَنَّمَ لاَ یَمُوْتُ فِیْہَا وَلاَ یَحْیٰی﴾
"He will neither die therein nor live."
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
When the inhabitants of Paradise enter Paradise and the inhabitants of Hell enter Hell, death will be slaughtered, and it will be announced:
“O people of Paradise! Never again will there be death. O people of Hell! Never again will there be death.”
It is narrated from Hazrat Usamah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A person will be thrown into Hell, his intestines will spill out, and he will circle like a millstone. People will ask: Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us from evil? He will say: I enjoined you but did not act myself.”
Similarly, on the night of Isra and Mi'raj, such preachers were seen whose lips were being cut with scissors of fire because they preached to others but did not act themselves.
◈ The One Who Commits Suicide
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that whoever commits suicide in a certain way will be punished in Hell in that same way.
◈ The Image Makers
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( کُلُّ مُصَوِّرٍ فِی النَّارِ... ))
“Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image, a soul will be created that will torment him.”
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه that on the Day of Resurrection, a disbeliever will be asked: If you had the weight of the earth in gold, would you seek salvation with it? He will say yes. Then it will be replied: You were asked for something much easier than this in the world (i.e., faith), but you denied it.
Dear brothers!
The mention of Hell is not to discourage us but to awaken us, to make us vigilant, and to lead us towards repentance.
Allah Almighty's promise is:
﴿إِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ جَمِیْعًا﴾
“Allah forgives all sins.”
So let us:
✔ Avoid shirk
✔ Adhere to obligatory acts
✔ Stay away from the forbidden
✔ Hold firmly to repentance
✔ Reform our families
May Allah protect us from the torment of Hell, grant us Paradise, and grant us a good ending in faith.
آمین یا رب العالمین
This article consists of a discussion on Hell and the inhabitants of Hell. It will highlight the importance of seeking refuge from Hell in light of the verses of the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the wisdom of warning against Hell, the dialogue between Paradise and Hell, and mention several actions that lead a person closer to Hell. The aim is that we fear the punishment of Hell, obey Allah, and reform ourselves so that Allah Almighty protects us from the Fire. Ameen.
1) Seeking Refuge from Hell
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty describes one of the attributes of His righteous servants as those who constantly seek refuge from the punishment of Hell:
﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَہَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَہَا کَانَ غَرَامًا. إِنَّہَا سَآئَ تْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَّمُقَامًا﴾
Reference: (Al-Furqan 25:66-65)
Translation: “And (the righteous servants of Allah) are those who pray: O our Lord! Keep us away from the punishment of Hell, indeed its punishment is one that clings. Surely, it is the worst place to stay and dwell.”
Similarly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach the Companions رضي الله عنهم the supplication for seeking refuge from Hell with the same diligence as he taught the chapters of the Quran. Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه states:
(( اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَہَنَّمَ،وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَسِیْحِ الدَّجَّالِ،وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَحْیَا وَالْمَمَاتِ))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:590)
Translation: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Messiah, the Dajjal, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.”
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ frequently used to make this supplication:
﴿رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِی الدُّنْیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّفِی الْآخِرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴾
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6389)
Translation: “O our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ سَأَلَ اللّٰہَ الْجَنَّۃَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ، قَالَتِ الْجَنَّۃُ : اَللّٰہُمَّ أَدْخِلْہُ الْجَنَّۃَ ، وَمَنِ اسْتَجَارَ مِنَ النَّارِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ،قَالَتِ النَّارُ : اَللّٰہُمَّ أَجِرْہُ مِنَ النَّارِ ))
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami:6275)
Translation: “Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise says: O Allah! Admit him into Paradise. And whoever seeks refuge from the Fire three times, Hell says: O Allah! Grant him refuge from the Fire.”
All these evidences indicate that seeking refuge from Hell is not merely a voluntary act, but a prominent characteristic of the believers and a consistent teaching of the noble Prophet ﷺ. Therefore, we should also adopt this habit.
2) Warning Against Hellfire
The purpose of mentioning Hell in the Quran and Sunnah is that a person emerges from heedlessness, avoids sins, and remains steadfast on the straight path. Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ یَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوْہُہُمْ فِیْ النَّارِ یَقُوْلُوْنَ یَا لَیْتَنَا أَطَعْنَا اللّٰہَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُوْلاَ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ahzab 33:66)
Translation: “On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!”
This regret will be of no benefit there, so the path to salvation is to adopt obedience in this world.
Then Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ یَوْمَ یُسْحَبُوْنَ فِیْ النَّارِ عَلیٰ وُجُوْہِہِمْ ذُوْقُوْا مَسَّ سَقَرَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Qamar 54:48)
Translation: “On the Day when they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire (it will be said): Taste the heat of the Fire and the punishment!”
Hazrat Adi bin Hatim رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Hell, and out of fear, he turned his face away, then said:
(( اِتَّقُوْا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَۃٍ ، فَمَنْ لَّمْ یَجِدْ فَبِکَلِمَۃٍ طَیِّبَۃٍ ))
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6563, Sahih Muslim:1016)
Translation: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if it is by giving half a date in charity. And whoever does not find that, then let him say a good word.”
Similarly, when this verse was revealed:
﴿وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِیْرَتَکَ الْأَقْرَبِیْنَ﴾
Translation: "And warn your closest relatives."
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gathered the Quraysh and clearly called out to everyone, both prominent and ordinary, to save themselves from the Fire, even saying to his daughter Sayyida Fatimah رضي الله عنها:
( یَا فَاطِمَۃُ! أَنْقِذِیْ نَفْسَکِ مِنَ النَّارِ،فَإِنِّیْ لَا أَمْلِکُ لَکُمْ مِنَ اللّٰہِ شَیْئًا )
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:2753,4771, Sahih Muslim:204 and the wording is from Muslim)
Translation: "O Fatimah! Save yourself from the Fire, for I have no power to help you before Allah."
And on the Day of Resurrection, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the terror of Hell in this way:
(( یُؤْتٰی بِالنَّارِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ،لَہَا سَبْعُوْنَ أَلْفَ زِمَامٍ،مَعَ کُلِّ زِمَامٍ سَبْعُوْنَ أَلْفَ مَلَکٍ یَجُرُّوْنَہَا))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2842)
Translation: "On the Day of Resurrection, Hell will be brought forth with seventy thousand bridles, and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels pulling it."
3) The Repetition Between Paradise and Hell
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that there was a repetition between Paradise and Hell. Paradise said that weak and poor people would enter it, and Hell said that oppressors and arrogant people would enter it. Then Allah, the Exalted, made Hell a means of His punishment and Paradise a means of His mercy, and said that both must be filled.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:7449, Sahih Muslim:2846)
This Hadith clearly indicates that we must particularly avoid two things:
◈ Oppression
◈ Arrogance
That is why the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( اِتَّقُوْا الظُّلْمَ ، فَإِنَّ الظُّلْمَ ظُلُمَاتٌ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ ))
Reference: (Ahmad, Tabarani, etc. Sahih al-Jami al-Saghir for Al-Albani:101)
Translation: "Beware of oppression, for oppression will be a cause of darkness on the Day of Resurrection."
And he said:
(( لَا یَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّۃَ مَنْ کَانَ فِیْ قَلْبِہٖ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّۃٍ مِنْ کِبْرٍ ))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:91)
Translation: "No one who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise."
4) The Inhabitants of Hell
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that on the Day of Resurrection, the first to be called will be Prophet Adam عليه السلام, and his offspring will be presented. Then it will be commanded to separate the group destined for Hell from his offspring. Allah تعالى will say: "Take out ninety-nine from every hundred." The Companions رضي الله عنهم became anxious and asked, "Who will be left?" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "My Ummah will be like a white hair in a black bull compared to the previous nations."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6529)
Translation (summary of the meaning): This means that the number of the Ummah of Muhammad will be small compared to other nations, but there is hope and glad tidings for the believers—provided that the servant remains steadfast on guidance.
5) Who will be the first to be thrown into the fire of Hell?
One significant reason to fear the punishment of Hell is that some people perform seemingly great good deeds, but due to lack of sincerity, those actions become a source of destruction instead of salvation for them. It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, the first person to be judged will be a martyr... Allah تعالى will remind him of His blessings... Then He will ask: What deeds did you perform? He will say: I fought in Your way and was martyred. Allah will say: You are lying; you fought so that you would be called brave... Then he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell."
Then a scholar/reader will be brought forth… he will say: I acquired knowledge, taught people, recited the Qur'an… Allah will say: You are lying, you did this so that you would be called a scholar and a reader… then he will also be dragged on his face into Hell.
Then a wealthy person will be brought forth… he will say: I spent for Your pleasure… Allah will say: You are lying, you spent so that you would be called generous… then he will also be dragged on his face into Hell.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Al-Imarah, Chapter on the one who fights for show and reputation: 1905)
Then Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ struck my knee and said:
(( یَا أَبَا ہُرَیْرَۃَ !أُولٰئِکَ الثَّلاثَۃُ أَوَّلُ خَلْقِ اللّٰہِ تُسَعَّرُ بِہِمُ النَّارَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ))
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2382. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: “O Abu Hurairah! These three people are the first among Allah's creation who will be the fuel for the Fire of Hell on the Day of Resurrection.”
It is clear from this that showing off nullifies good deeds. That is why the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أخَافُ عَلَیْکُمُ الشِّرْکُ الْأصْغَرُ... قَالَ: الرِّیَائُ... ))
Reference: (Ahmad: 429/5, Majma' al-Zawa'id: 102/1, Al-Sahihah by Al-Albani: 951)
Translation: “I fear for you the most the minor shirk… (the companions asked) What is minor shirk? He said: Showing off… Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Resurrection: Go to those for whom you showed off in the world and see if you receive any reward from them?”
In this context, there is another narration with a severe warning that says, “Seek refuge from the ‘well of sorrow.’” Then he said:
(( وَادٍ فِیْ جَہَنَّمَ یَتَعَوَّذُ مِنْہُ جَہَنَّمُ کُلَّ یَوْمِ أَرْبَعَمِائَۃِ مَرَّۃ ))
Translation: “This is a valley of Hell from which Hell itself seeks refuge four hundred times a day.”
Then he said:
(( أُعِدَّ لِلْقُرَّائِ الْمُرَائِیْنَ بِأَعْمَالِہِمْ... ))
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:2383, Sunan Ibn Majah:256 and this wording is from him)
Translation: “This has been prepared for those reciters who perform acts for show… and the most disliked reciters to Allah are those who go to and from (tyrannical) rulers.”
6) The Heat and Severity of Hell
Allah, the Exalted, has described the severity of the fire of Hell in various ways:
﴿ فَأَنْذَرْتُکُمْ نَارًا تَلَظّٰی﴾
Reference: (Al-Lail 92:14)
Translation: “I have warned you of a blazing fire.”
﴿سَیَصْلٰی نَارًا ذَاتَ لَہَبٍ﴾
Reference: (Al-Masad 111:3)
Translation: “He will soon enter a blazing fire.”
﴿ إِنَّہَا تَرْمِیْ بِشَرَرٍ کَالْقَصْرِ﴾
Reference: (Al-Mursalat 77:32)
Translation: “It (Hell) will throw forth great embers like palaces.”
And He said:
﴿کَلاَّ إِنَّہَا لَظیٰ. نَزَّاعَۃً لِّلشَّوٰی. تَدْعُوْ مَنْ أَدْبَرَ وَتَوَلّٰی. وَجَمَعَ فَأَوْعٰی﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'arij 70:15-18)
Translation: “Never! It will be a flame of fire, skin-pulling, it will call to him who turns away from the truth and turns his back, and gathers wealth and hoards it.”
And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the difference between the fire of this world and the fire of Hell as follows:
(( نَارُکُمْ ہٰذِہِ... جُزْئٌ مِنْ سَبْعِیْنَ جُزْئًا مِنْ نَّارِ جَہَنَّمَ... ))
Then he said: (( فَإِنَّہَا فُضِّلَتْ عَلَیْہَا بِتِسْعَۃٍ وَّسِتِّیْنَ جُزْئًا کُلُّہَا مِثْلُ حَرِّہَا ))
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3265, Sahih Muslim:2843)
Translation: “The fire of your world is one-seventieth of the fire of Hell… and the fire of Hell is sixty-nine times more severe than it, and each degree of heat is equal to the fire of this world.”
7) The Depth of Hell
The vastness and depth of Hell is so terrifying that reason is left astonished. Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that one day we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Suddenly, we heard a sound of something falling. He ﷺ said:
“Do you know what that sound was?”
We replied: Allah and His Messenger know best.
He ﷺ said:
(( ہٰذَا حَجَرٌ رُمِیَ بِہٖ فِی النَّارِ مُنْذُ سَبْعِیْنَ خَرِیْفًا ، فَہُوَ یَہْوِیْ فِی النَّارِ الْآنَ،حَتَّی انْتَہٰی إِلٰی قَعْرِہَا ))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2844)
Translation: “It was the sound of a stone falling that was thrown into Hell seventy years ago; it kept falling until it has now reached its bottom.”
Similarly, it was stated:
(( لَوْ أَنَّ حَجَرًا مِثْلَ سَبْعِ خَلِفَاتٍ أُلْقِیَ عَنْ شَفِیْرِ جَہَنَّمَ،ہَوٰی فِیْہَا سَبْعِیْنَ خَرِیْفًا،لاَ یَبْلُغُ قَعْرَہَا ))
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami:5248, Al-Sahihah:2865)
Translation: “If a stone equal to seven fat camels were thrown from the edge of Hell, it would keep falling for seventy years and still not reach its bottom.”
These Hadiths clarify the terrifying depth of Hell.
8) The Neck, Eyes, and Tongue of Hell
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( تَخْرُجُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّارِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ،لَہَا عَیْنَانِ تُبْصِرَانِ،وَأُذُنَانِ تَسْمَعَانِ ،وَلِسَانٌ یَنْطِقُ،یَقُوْلُ: إِنِّیْ وُکِّلْتُ بِثَلَاثَۃٍ:بِکُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِیْدٍ،وَبِکُلِّ مَنْ دَعَا مَعَ اللّٰہِ إِلٰہًا آخَرَ، وَبِالْمُصَوِّرِیْنَ ))
Reference: (Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi:2574, Sahih al-Jami:8051)
Translation: “On the Day of Resurrection, a neck will emerge from Hell, having two eyes with which it will see, two ears with which it will hear, and a tongue with which it will say: I have been entrusted with three types of people: every rebellious tyrant, every person who associated partners with Allah, and those who make images.”
This Hadith clarifies that oppression, polytheism, and making images of living beings are actions that carry severe warnings.
9) The Color of Hell
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( أُوْقِدَ عَلَی النَّارِ أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی احْمَرَّتْ،ثُمَّ أُوْقِدَ عَلَیْہَا أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی ابْیَضَّتْ،ثُمَّ أُوْقِدَ عَلَیْہَا أَلْفَ سَنَۃٍ حَتَّی اسْوَدَّتْ،فَہِیَ سَوْدَائُ مُظْلِمَۃٌ))
Reference: (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi:2591, Sunan Ibn Majah:4320. Hasan by its chains)
Translation: “The fire of Hell was kindled for a thousand years until it became red, then it was kindled for another thousand years until it became white, then it was kindled for another thousand years until it became black; thus, it is now black and dark.”
10) The Thickness of a Disbeliever's Body in Hell
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ غِلَظَ جِلْدِ الْکَافِرِ اثْنَانِ وَأَرْبَعُوْنَ ذِرَاعًا،وَإِنَّ ضِرْسَہُ مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ، وَإِنَّ مَجْلِسَہُ مِنْ جَہَنَّمَ کَمَا بَیْنَ مَکَّۃَ وَالْمَدِیْنَۃِ ))
Reference: (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi:2577, Sahih al-Jami:2114)
Translation: “The thickness of the skin of a disbeliever will be forty-two hands, one of his molars will be equal to the mountain of Uhud, and the space for him to sit in Hell will be equal to the distance between Makkah and Madinah.”
And He said:
(( مَابَیْنَ مَنْکِبَیِ الْکَافِرِ فِیْ النَّارِ مَسِیْرَۃُ ثَلَاثَۃِ أَیَّامٍ لِلرَّاکِبِ الْمُسْرِعِ ))
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6551, Sahih Muslim:2852)
Translation: “The distance between the two shoulders of a disbeliever in Hell will be as much as a fast rider covers in three days.”
11) The Food of the Inhabitants of Hell
The inhabitants of Hell will be given the tree of Zaqqum and dry thorns to eat.
﴿ إِنَّ شَجَرَۃَ الزَّقُّوْمِ. طَعَامُ الْأثِیْمِ. کَالْمُہْلِ یَغْلِیْ فِیْ الْبُطُوْنِ. کَغَلْیِ الْحَمِیْمِ ﴾
Reference: (Ad-Dukhan 44:46-43)
Translation: “Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum is the food of the sinful, it will be like molten copper, boiling in their bellies like boiling water.”
And He said:
﴿ فَلَیْسَ لَہُ الْیَوْمَ ہَاہُنَا حَمِیْمٌ. وَّلاَ طَعَامٌ إِلاَّ مِنْ غِسْلِیْنٍ﴾
Reference: (Al-Haaqqa 69:36-35)
Translation: “Today, he will have no friend, nor any food except pus.”
And:
﴿ لَیْسَ لَہُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلاَّ مِنْ ضَرِیْعٍ. لاَّ یُسْمِنُ وَلاَ یُغْنِیْ مِنْ جُوْعٍ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ghashiyah 88:7-6)
Translation: “Their food will be nothing but dry thorns, which will neither fatten them nor satisfy their hunger.”
12) The Drink of the Inhabitants of Hell
Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿ وَیُسْقٰی مِنْ مَّآئٍ صَدِیْدٍ. یَتَجَرَّعُہُ وَلاَ یَکَادُ یُسِیْغُہُ﴾
Reference: (Ibrahim 14:16-17)
Translation: “He will be given to drink from a boiling water, which he will sip but will hardly be able to swallow.”
And He said:
﴿ یُغَاثُوْا بِمَآئٍ کَالْمُہْلِ یَشْوِیْ الْوُجُوْہَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Kahf 18:29)
Translation: “They will be given water like molten copper, which will scorch their faces.”
And:
﴿ یُصَبُّ مِنْ فَوْقِ رُؤُوْسِہِمُ الْحَمِیْمُ. یُصْہَرُ بِہٖ مَا فِیْ بُطُوْنِہِمْ وَالْجُلُوْدُ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Hajj 22:20-19)
Translation: “Scalding water will be poured over their heads, causing their insides and skins to dissolve.”
13) The Person with the Least Punishment in Hell
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ أَہْوَنَ أَہْلِ النَّارِ عَذَابًا مَنْ لَہُ نَعْلَانِ وَشِرَاکَانِ مِنْ نَّارٍ،یَغْلِیْ مِنْہُمَا دِمَاغُہُ کَمَا یَغْلِیْ الْمِرْجَلُ،مَا یَرٰی أَنَّ أَحَدًا أَشَدُّ مِنْہُ عَذَابًا،وَإِنَّہُ لَأَہْوَنُہُمْ عَذَابًا))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:213)
Translation: "The person who will receive the least punishment among the inhabitants of Hell will be the one who will be given two sandals and two straps of fire, which will cause his brain to boil like a pot. He will think that he is receiving the most severe punishment, whereas he will actually be experiencing the least punishment."
Consider! If this is the least punishment, then what will be the condition of the others?
14) Different Levels of Punishment in Hell
It is narrated from Hazrat Samurah bin Jundab رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی کَعْبَیْہِ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی رُکْبَتَیْہِ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی حُجْزَتِہٖ،وَمِنْہُمْ مَّنْ تَأْخُذُہُ النَّارُ إِلٰی عُنُقِہٖ ))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2845)
Translation: "Some people will be caught by the fire up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to their waists, and some up to their necks."
This difference will be due to the difference in their deeds.
15) The Screams and Cries of the Inhabitants of Hell
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا لَہُمْ نَارُ جَہَنَّمَ لاَ یُقْضٰی عَلَیْہِمْ فَیَمُوْتُوْا وَلاَیُخَفَّفُ عَنْہُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابِہَا...﴾
Reference: (Fatir 35:36-37)
They will neither die nor will the punishment be lessened for them, but they will scream, 'O our Lord! Take us out; we will do righteous deeds.' But they will be answered: 'Were you not given respite in the world?'
In another place, He says:
﴿فَأَمَّا الَّذِیْنَ شَقُوْا فَفِیْ النَّارِ لَہُمْ فِیْہَا زَفِیْرٌ وَّشَہِیْقٌ﴾
Reference: (Hud 11:106)
"There, they will have screams and cries."
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Qais رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The inhabitants of Hell will cry so much that if their tears were to be used, boats could sail in them."
Reference: (Al-Sahihah:1679)
16) Hell Will Last Forever
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿أَلَمْ یَعْلَمُوْا أَنَّہُ مَنْ یُّحَادِدِ اللّٰہَ وَرَسُوْلَہُ فَأَنَّ لَہُ نَارَ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا فِیْہَا﴾
Reference: (At-Tawbah 9:63)
"Whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, for him is Hell, wherein he will abide forever."
And He says:
﴿إِنَّہُ مَنْ یَّأْتِ رَبَّہُ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَہُ جَہَنَّمَ لاَ یَمُوْتُ فِیْہَا وَلاَ یَحْیٰی﴾
Reference: (Ta-Ha 20:74)
"He will neither die therein nor live."
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
When the inhabitants of Paradise enter Paradise and the inhabitants of Hell enter Hell, death will be slaughtered, and it will be announced:
“O people of Paradise! Never again will there be death. O people of Hell! Never again will there be death.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6548, Sahih Muslim:2850)
17) The Punishment of Those Who Do Not Act on Their Invitation
It is narrated from Hazrat Usamah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A person will be thrown into Hell, his intestines will spill out, and he will circle like a millstone. People will ask: Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us from evil? He will say: I enjoined you but did not act myself.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3267)
Similarly, on the night of Isra and Mi'raj, such preachers were seen whose lips were being cut with scissors of fire because they preached to others but did not act themselves.
18) The Punishment for Certain Specific Sins
◈ The One Who Commits Suicide
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that whoever commits suicide in a certain way will be punished in Hell in that same way.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:5778, Sahih Muslim:109)
◈ The Image Makers
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( کُلُّ مُصَوِّرٍ فِی النَّارِ... ))
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2110)
“Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image, a soul will be created that will torment him.”
19) No Salvation Even for the Weight of the Earth in Gold
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه that on the Day of Resurrection, a disbeliever will be asked: If you had the weight of the earth in gold, would you seek salvation with it? He will say yes. Then it will be replied: You were asked for something much easier than this in the world (i.e., faith), but you denied it.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6538, Sahih Muslim:2805)
Conclusion
Dear brothers!
The mention of Hell is not to discourage us but to awaken us, to make us vigilant, and to lead us towards repentance.
Allah Almighty's promise is:
﴿إِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ جَمِیْعًا﴾
Reference: (Az-Zumar 39:53)
“Allah forgives all sins.”
So let us:
✔ Avoid shirk
✔ Adhere to obligatory acts
✔ Stay away from the forbidden
✔ Hold firmly to repentance
✔ Reform our families
May Allah protect us from the torment of Hell, grant us Paradise, and grant us a good ending in faith.
آمین یا رب العالمین
