In this article, we will talk about hell in Islam or based on the Koran. Previously, we have seen a review of why Muslims do not eat pork, and now we are delving into our Islamic knowledge by looking at the description of hell in Islam. Hell is a place full of difficulties and punishments provided to those who reject the truth brought by Allah through His Messenger. The pain in hell is not the same as the pain in the world, because the difficulties and ugliness in the world are not so much compared to the afterlife for those who deny Allah and His Messenger and his teachings.
On this occasion we will talk about hell according to the Koran, there are many explanations in the verses of the Koran that tell about the pain of the punishment of hell. Hopefully this article will increase our knowledge, and our fear of Allah’s punishment so that we obey and live up to all the commands of Allah.
Names of Hell in the Qurʾān
Jahannam: This implies a deep hole, and is full of suffering.
Jahīm: A fiery fire
Saʿīr: The fire that is kindled
Saqar: It has to do with the intensity of the heat
Laẓā: Flames (flames)
Hāwīya: a deep drop, like someone who is dropped from a high place to the lowest and deepest place.
Ḥuṭama: Fragments and debris because this hell will crush all humans who are put in it.
The Eternal Nature of Hell
What is hell in Islam? Hell is the worst place on the Day of Judgment given to those who do not obey the teachings of Islam, and this is something that must be believed by Muslims. The inhabitants of hell are divided into two, some are eternal in it and some are impermanent because they will be expelled again after all their sins are burned in hell. The nature of hell is eternal and has no end, just as heaven is eternal.
It’s just that both had a beginning. People who do not believe in Allah and His Messenger, or unbelievers, will go to hell and be eternal in it. Meanwhile, people who believe in Allah and His Messenger, if there are immoral acts that are done, then he will be put in hell for a while (for example 1000 years) and when his sins have been paid, then he is removed from hell and entered into heaven.
“They will long to leave the Fire, but never will they leave there from; and theirs will be a lasting torment. (Quran 5:37)”
“… And they will never leave of the Fire. (Quran 2: 167)”
Surely, those who disbelieve and did wrong; God will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever. (Quran 4:168-169)
Surely, God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire wherein they will abide forever. (Quran 33:64)
And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger, then surely, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever. (Quran 72:23)
Surely, the gates of the Heaven will not be opened for those who deny Our revelations and treat them with arrogance; their admission into paradise will be as impossible as the passing of a camel through the eye of a needle. That is how We shall reward the criminals. Hell shall be their bed and flames shall be their covering. That is how We shall reward the wrongdoers.(Qurʾān 7:40-41)
Those are some verses of the Koran which state about hell. May we become servants who are kept from hell.
Gates of Hell
Regarding the gates of hell, the Koran also provides a lot of information, as in the following verse, which means:
The unbelievers will be led to Hell in crowds until, when they arrive there, its gates will be opened (Qurʾān 39: 71)
And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all. It has seven gates: to each of those gates is a specific class of sinners assigned. (Quran 15: 43-44)
To them will be said, ‘Enter you the gates of Hell to dwell therein. And how evil is this abode of the arrogant. ‘(Quran 39: 72)
But those who reject Our signs are the companions of the left hand – on them will be fire vaulted over. (Quran 90: 19-20)
Food of Hell
After we understand that hell is a place of punishment and torment for people who do not obey religion. Then what is the food for those who inhabit this hell. Is there food, or even their food is something that is very miserable.
Food for the inhabitants of hell is something that makes them even more tormented when eating it. So, not food that can eliminate hunger.
Here are some verses of the Koran that talk about the food of hell.
No food will there be for them except from a bitter, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger. (Quran 88: 6-7)
In hell there is a special tree called zaqūm, and this tree has the fruit that the inhabitants of hell eat. The fruit does not fill them up but makes them suffer even more, because it is a punishment for those who transgress. The Zaqum tree is rooted under hell and its branches are similar to the head of a demon.
Indeed, the tree of zaqūm is food for the sinful, like murky oil, it boils within bellies, like the boiling of scalding water. (Quran 44: 43-46)
Is Paradise better as an abode or the tree of zaqūm? Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers. Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire, its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils. And, indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies. Then, indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water. Then, indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire. (Quran 37: 62-68)
Then indeed you, O those astray (who are) deniers, will be eating from trees of zaqūm and filling with it your bellies, and drinking on top of it from scalding water, and will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels. That is their hospitality on the Day of Recompense. (Quran 56: 51-56)
Those are the state of hell in Islam, starting from the names of hell, its eternal nature, the gates of hell and the food in hell which is called zaqum. Everything related to hell is a form of torture for humans who do not believe and submit to Allah’s rules. Hell is an eternal punishment for unbelievers (not believing in Allah and Rasul) and becomes a temporary shelter (house of punishment) for believers who commit immorality.