Its Appearance
Its Location
There is no exact mention from the Quran or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad which pinpoint the location of Hell. No one knows its exact place except God. Due to some linguistic evidence and context of certain hadeeth, some scholars have stated that Hell is in the heavens, yet others say it is in the lower earth.
Its Size
Hell is huge and immensely deep. We know this through several ways.
First, innumerable people will enter Hell, each, as described in a hadeeth, with the molar teeth as large as Uhud (a mountain in Medina)[1] The distance between the shoulders of its inhabitants has also been described as being equivalent to three days of walking.[2] Hell will house all the unbelievers and sinners from the beginning of time and there will still be room for more. God says:
{On the Day when We will say to Hell: ‘Are you filled?’ It will say, ‘Are there any more (to come)?’} [Quran 50:30]
{يَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ هَلْ مِن مَّزِيدٍ} [ق:٣٠]
Transliteration: Yawma Naqūlu Lijahannama Hal Amtala'ti Wa Taqūlu Hal Min Mazīdin
The Fire of Hell is likened to a mill that grinds thousands and thousands of tons of grain and then waits for more to come.
Second, a stone thrown from the top of Hell will take a very long time to reach the bottom. One of the companions of the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, describes how they were sitting with the Prophet and heard the sound of something falling. The Prophet inquired if they knew what it was. When they expressed their lack of knowledge, he said:
That was a stone thrown into Hell seventy years ago and it is yet in the way (the other « side) of Hell until now.» [3]
Another report states:
«If a stone as big as seven pregnant camels was thrown from the edge of Hell, it would fly through it for seventy years, and yet it would not reach the bottom.» [4]
Third, a great many angels will bring Hell on the Day of Resurrection. God speaks of it:
{And Hell will be brought near that Day…} [Quran 89:23]
{وَجِيءَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِجَهَنَّمَ...} [الفجر: ٢٣]
Transliteration: Wa Jī'a Yawma'idhin Bijahannama
The Prophet said:
«Hell will be brought forth that Day by means of seventy thousand ropes, each of which will be held by seventy thousand angels.» [5]
Fourth, another report that indicates the vast size of Hell is that the sun and moon will be rolled up in Hell on the Day of Resurrection.[6]
Its Levels
Hell has various levels of heat and punishment, each is reserved according to the extent of their disbelief and sins of those being punished. God says:
{Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire.} [Quran 4:145]
{إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ} [النساء:١٤٥]
Transliteration: 'Inna Al-Munāfiqīna Fī Ad-Darki Al-'Asfali Mina An-Nāri
The lower the level of Hell, the greater is the intensity of heat. Since the hypocrites will suffer the worst punishment, so will they be in the lowest part of Hell.
God refers to the levels of Hell in the Quran:
{For all will be (ranked) by degrees according to what they did.} [Quran 6:132]
{وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَاتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا} [الأنعام:١٣٢]
Transliteration: Wa Likullin Darajātun Mimmā `Amilū
{Is one who seeks the good pleasure of God then like the one who draws on himself the wrath of God? His abode is Hell – and worst, indeed, is that destination! They are in varying grades with God, and God is All-Seer of what they do.} [Quran 3:162-163]
{أَفَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ كَمَن بَاءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٦٢﴾ هُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ} [آل عمران: ١٦٣]
Transliteration: 'Afamani Attaba`a Riđwāna Allāhi Kaman Bā'a Bisakhaţin Mina Allāhi Wa Ma'wāhu Jahannamu Wa Bi'sa Al-Maşīru (162) Hum Darajātun `Inda Allāhi Wa Allāhu Başīrun Bimā Ya`malūna
The Gates of Hell
God speaks of seven Gates of Hell in the Quran:
{And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates, for each of these gates is a class of sinners assigned.} [Quran 15:43-44)]
{وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾ لَهَا سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَابٍ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌ مَّقْسُومٌ} [الحجر:43-٤٤]
Transliteration: Wa 'Inna Jahannama Lamaw`iduhum 'Ajma`īna(43) Lahā Sab`atu 'Abwābin Likulli Bābin Minhum Juz'un Maqsūmun
Each gate has an allotted share of the damned who will enter through it. Each will enter according to his deeds and assigned a level of Hell accordingly. When the unbelievers are brought to Hell, its gates will open, they will enter it, and stay in it forever:
{And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, ‘Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’ They will say, ‘Yes, but the word (meaning the decree) of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.’} [Quran 39:71]
{وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ} [الزمر:٧١]
Transliteration: Wa Sīqa Al-Ladhīna Kafarū 'Ilá Jahannama Zumarāan Ĥattá 'Idhā Jā'ūhā Futiĥat 'Abwābuhā Wa Qāla Lahum Khazanatuhā 'Alam Ya'tikum Rusulun Minkum Yatlūna `Alaykum 'Āyāti Rabbikum Wa Yundhirūnakum Liqā'a Yawmikum Hādhā Qālū Balá Wa Lakin Ĥaqqat Kalimatu Al-`Adhābi `Alá Al-Kāfirīna
They will be told after admission:
{Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant.} [Quran 39:72]
{قِيلَ ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ} [الزمر: ٧٢]
Transliteration: Qīla Adkhulū 'Abwāba Jahannama Khālidīna Fīhā Fabi'sa Mathwá Al-Mutakabbirīna
The gates will be shut and there will be no hope of escape as God says:
{But those who reject Our signs, they are the companions of the left hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (meaning the gates will be locked).[7]} ]Quran 90:19-20[
{وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ ﴿١٩﴾ عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌ} [البلد:19-٢٠]
Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Bi'āyātinā Hum 'Aşĥābu Al-Mash'amahi (19)`Alayhim Nārun Mu'uşadahun
Furthermore, God says in the Quran:
{Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and (continuously) counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what is the Crushers? It is the fire of God, (eternally) fueled, Which mounts directed at the hearts. Indeed, it (Hellfire) will be closed down upon them in extended columns.} [Quran 104:1-9]
{وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالًا وَعَدَّدَهُ ﴿٢﴾ يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ أَخْلَدَهُ ﴿٣﴾ كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنبَذَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَةِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحُطَمَةُ ﴿٥﴾ نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوقَدَةُ ﴿٦﴾ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ ﴿٧﴾ إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ ﴿٨﴾ فِي عَمَدٍ مُّمَدَّدَةٍ} [الهمزة:1- ٩]
Transliteration: Waylun Likulli Humazatin Lumazahin(1) Al-Ladhī Jama`a Mālāan Wa `Addadahu (2) Yaĥsabu 'Anna Mālahu 'Akhladahu (3) Kallā Layunbadhanna Fī Al-Ĥuţamahi(4)Wa Mā 'Adrāka Mā Al-Ĥuţamahu (5) Nāru Allāhi Al-Mūqadahu (6)Allatī Taţţali`u `Alá Al-'Af'idahi (7) 'Innahā `Alayhim Mu'uşadahun (8) Fī `Amadin Mumaddadahin
The gates of Hell are also closed before the Day of Judgment. The Prophet of Islam spoke of them closing in the month of Ramadan.[8]
Its Fuel
Stones and stubborn unbelievers make the fuel of Hell as God says:
{O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones...} [Quran 66:6]
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ ...} [التحريم:٦]
Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Qū 'Anfusakum Wa 'Ahlīkum Nārāan Waqūduhā An-Nāsu Wa Al-Ĥijāratu...
{…then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.} ]Quran 2:24[
{... فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ ۖ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ} [البقرة:٢٤]
Transliteration: ... Fa Attaqū An-Nāra Allatī Waqūduhā An-Nāsu Wa Al-Ĥijāratu 'U`iddat Lilkāfirīna
Another source of fuel for Hell will be the pagan gods that were worshipped besides God:
{Indeed, you (disbelievers) and what you worship other than God are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to (enter) it. Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.} [Quran 21:98-99]
{إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَارِدُونَ ﴿٩٨﴾ لَوْ كَانَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ آلِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا ۖ وَكُلٌّ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ} [الأنبياء:٩٩]
Transliteration: 'Innakum Wa Mā Ta`budūna Min Dūni Allāhi Ĥaşabu Jahannama 'Antum Lahā Wa Aridūna (98) Law Kāna Hā'uulā' 'Ālihatan Mā Waradūhā Wa Kullun Fīhā Khālidūna
The Clothing of its Inhabitants
God tells us that the dress of the people of Hell will be garments of fire tailored for them:
{…But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water.} [Quran 22:19]
{...فَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ الْحَمِيمُ} [الفجر:١٩]
Transliteration: ... Fa-Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Quţţi`at Lahum Thiyābun Min Nārin Yuşabbu Min Fawqi Ru'ūsihimu Al-Ĥamīmu
{And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles, their garments of liquid pitch (melted copper) and their faces covered by the Fire.} [Quran 14:49-50]
{وَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ ﴿٤٩﴾ سَرَابِيلُهُم مِّن قَطِرَانٍ وَتَغْشَىٰ وُجُوهَهُمُ النَّارُ} [إبراهيم:49-٥٠]
Transliteration: Wa Tará Al-Mujrimīna Yawma'idhin Muqarranīna Fī Al-'Aşfādi(49) Sarābīluhum Min Qaţirānin Wa Taghshá Wujūhahumu An-Nāru
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Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Muslim
[2] Saheeh Muslim
[3] Mishkat
[4] Sahih al-Jami’
[5] Saheeh Muslim
[6] Tahawi in Mushkal al-Aathaar, Bazzar, Baihaqi, and others.
[7] Based on the explanation of Ibn Abbas (‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’).
[8] Tirmidhi.
