The Seven Gates of Hell
According to the teachings of the Quran, there are seven gates to Hell, with each gate designated for some followers of Satan, determined by their deeds. Allah states: “And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates, and for every gate, there is a portion assigned” (Quran). Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib explained that these gates are stacked upon one another; the first gate fills up before the second, and this continues until all are filled. While there is no definitive mention in the Quran or Hadith regarding the specific names of these gates, historical accounts from certain companions exist. For instance, Ibn Abbas identified the seven names as: Jahannam, Sa’ir, Ladhah, Hutamah, Saqar, Jahim, and Al-Hawiyah, the latter being the lowest. The inhabitants are forcibly led to this final gate, and when they arrive, the gates of Hell are opened swiftly as a means of expediting their punishment.
Types of Punishment in Hell
Allah has promised punishment in Hell for all who defy His commands in this world. The nature of this punishment varies based on the level of sinfulness and the wrongdoings committed during one’s lifetime. Some individuals will find the flames consuming them up to their ankles, others up to their knees, some up to their necks, while the least severe punishment will befall the person who stands on two embers beneath his feet, causing his brain to boil. Examples of such punishments include:
- Those whose bedding and covering consist of flames, surrounded by fire from every direction, bound in chains and shackles, and forced to drink molten water that tears apart their intestines.
- Individuals whose faces are scorched by fire until their flesh melts away, leaving only bones, amplifying their humiliation.
- Those on whom boiling water is poured, causing their skin to peel off, only to regenerate and melt away again, intensifying their suffering.
The Appearance of Hell on the Day of Judgment
When Allah gathers humanity on the Day of Judgment to account for their deeds, He commands the angels to bring Hell from its designated creation to the plain of gathering. It is reported that Hell has seventy thousand reins, akin to those used by the Arabs on their camels, with each rein being pulled by seventy thousand angels. To the disbelievers, Hell appears as an illusion in the midst of their extreme thirst, resembling water. As it approaches them unexpectedly, it instills fear, causing them to fall into it.