Hell is a concept that exists in almost every religion, including Islam. In Islamic belief, Hell is a place of punishment for those who have not lived their lives in accordance with Islam’s teachings, and who have sinned and disobeyed Allah’s commandments. This article will provide a detailed explanation of what Hell is in Islam, how it is described in the Quran and Hadith, and the different levels of punishment.
What is Hell in Islam?
The existence of Hell is a fundamental belief in Islam. In Islamic belief, Hell is known as Jahannam. It is a place of eternal punishment and torment that is reserved for those who have committed sins and disobeyed Allah’s commandments during their lifetime. According to Islamic teachings, every human being will be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Judgment, and those who have sinned will be punished accordingly.
It is mentioned many times in the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran describes Hell as a place of intense heat, fire, and punishment, with no escape or relief. The concept of Hell serves as a warning to those who commit sins and disobey Allah’s commands, and it is meant to encourage Muslims to lead a pious and righteous life.
The Quranic Description of Hell
The Quran and the Hadith describe Hell and the punishments awaiting those who enter it. Hell is described as a place of fire and torment. It is said to be a place where the wicked will be punished by being burned, beaten, and tortured. Where the inhabitants will experience unimaginable suffering and pain. The Quran states:
“And for those who disbelieved in their Lord, for them is the punishment of Hell; and what an evil outcome.” [1]Quran 67:6
“And the supporters of the disbelievers are the devils; they take them out from the light towards the darknesses; it is they who are the dwellers of Hell, they are to remain therein forever.” [2]Quran 2:257
“And the people of Hell will call upon the people of Paradise; that ‘Provide us some benefit from your water or from that food which Allah has provided you.’ They will say, ‘Indeed, Allah has made both unlawful for the disbelievers.'” [3]Quran 7:50
In these verses from the Quran, Hell is described as a place for punishment for those disbelieving in Allah. It is a wretched destination where the disbelievers will abide eternally, and they will not be able to quench their thirst or find relief from the heat. The punishment in Hell is depicted as being severe and everlasting, with no escape or reprieve. On the other hand, Paradise is described as a place of cool shade, delicious fruits, and delightful drinks as a reward for the sincere servants of Allah.
The Hadith Description of Hell
In addition to the Quranic description, there are also many hadiths that describe Hell in great detail. The hadiths are the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and are an essential source of Islamic teachings.
According to the hadiths, Hell is divided into several levels or degrees of punishment, each one worse than the one before. The first level is the least severe, and the punishment increases as one goes deeper into Hell. In one hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described Hell as follows:
“Hell has seventy levels, and between each level is a distance like that between the heaven and the earth.” [4]Bukhari
This hadith emphasizes the vastness of Hell and the severity of the punishment that awaits those who have committed sins.
The Different Levels of Punishment in Hell
As mentioned earlier, Hell is divided into several levels or degrees of punishment. The first level is the least severe, and the punishment increases as one goes deeper into Hell. The different levels of punishment in Hell are described in various hadiths. Some of these levels are:
- Jahannam – The lowest level of Hell, where the punishment is the least severe.
- Laza – The second level of Hell, where the punishment is worse than Jahannam.
- Al-Hutamah – The third level of Hell, where the punishment is worse than Laza.
- Sa’ir – The fourth level of Hell, where the punishment is worse than Al-Hutamah.
- Jahim – The fifth level of Hell, where the punishment is worse than Sa’ir.
- Haawiyah – The sixth level of Hell, where the punishment is worse