The Fire
Allah, the Exalted, has designated the fire as the most severe form of punishment and the ultimate disgrace, for there is no humiliation greater than it, nor is there a greater loss than entering its confines. The descriptions of the fire depict it as vast and expansive, with an intense heat and a profound depth. Its shade is dark, and its air is toxic. When a disbeliever arrives at this inferno, its gates are flung open, and they are sealed inside, suffering intensifying over time. Allah has established various levels of hellfire, reflecting His justice and mercy; these levels differ in severity, temperature, and flames, categorizing the inhabitants of hell according to their deeds performed in the world.
Causes of Entry into the Fire
There exist numerous sins and transgressions that condemn individuals to hellfire if they pass away without repenting or abandoning them. Among these sins are:
- Disbelief: Disbelief is considered the gravest sin in the sight of Allah. Those who die in a state of disbelief will not be forgiven and will dwell eternally in the fire. As mentioned in His words: (Indeed, those who disbelieve, their wealth and children will not avail them against Allah in anything, and they are the fuel for the fire). It is important to note that Allah has highlighted specific disbelievers who are promised the fire, such as the wife of Lot, the wife of Noah, the followers of Pharaoh, Abu Lahab and his wife, as well as Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of hypocrisy, Haman, and Qarun, alongside others like them among the leaders of disbelief.
- Associating Partners with Allah: Those who commit shirk will be destined to eternity in hellfire, as it is their only abode. Many verses of the Holy Quran and Hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) unequivocally indicate that shirk is one of the principal causes for eternal damnation. For instance, Allah states: (Indeed, he who associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire, and for the wrongdoers, there are no helpers). Moreover, Imam Muslim narrated from Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: (A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked: O Messenger of Allah, what are the two causes of damnation? He replied: Whoever dies without associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies associating something with Allah will enter the Fire).
- Hypocrisy: Hypocrisy is viewed as an attempt to deceive Allah and the believers, as a hypocrite presents a facade of faith while harboring disbelief. Consequently, Allah has promised severe punishments for hypocrites, placing them in the lowest level of hell, as stated: (Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire; you will not find for them a helper).
- Lying About Allah and His Messenger: Lying about Allah can take various forms, including legislating what Allah has not authorized. An example of this is Umar ibn al-Hattab, who altered the religion of the Arabs by prohibiting certain types of camels and their milk. The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: (I saw Umar ibn al-Hattab dragging his intestines in the Fire). Other forms of lying include designating specific days, nights, or months for acts of worship not sanctioned by Allah, claiming prophethood, ascribing to Allah attributes He has not described Himself with, or making statements such as, (Allah knows such and such), which may be false or contradict the truth. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (None of you should say about something he does not know: Allah knows it; for Allah knows what differs from that, and when someone claims knowledge that he does not possess, it is a grave matter before Allah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) has warned that anyone who deliberately lies about him will have a seat prepared for him in the Fire.
- Showing Off: A show-off does not seek Allah’s pleasure through his actions and words but desires praise and commendation from people. Thus, he will receive his reward in this life, and in the Hereafter, he has no share. An example of showing off is insincerity in the pursuit of knowledge, as Allah has threatened with hellfire anyone who seeks knowledge for worldly gain.
- Concealing Islamic Knowledge: Some individuals might withhold the teachings of Allah to achieve a worldly benefit or out of fear of an authority.
- Disobeying Allah and His Messenger: Allah has warned those who disobey Him or His Messenger (peace be upon him) and refuse to heed their commands of punishment in the fire.
- Other Causes: This includes neglecting the Holy Quran, mocking Allah’s verses, rejecting divine decree, neglecting prayer, failing to perform legitimate ablution, withholding zakat, engaging in usury, committing murder, seizing the rights of others, especially orphans, and suicide.
Food and Drink of the Inhabitants of Hell
Allah has promised the inhabitants of hellfire with hunger and thirst, preparing for them food that neither nourishes nor alleviates their hunger, but rather intensifies their torment, leaving them in perpetual suffering. The Quran describes their food as dhari’ (a thorny plant), as indicated in the verse: (They will have no food except from a thorny plant that neither nourishes nor satisfies hunger). Dhari’ is a type of thorny, foul, bitter plant that does not satisfy or provide comfort when consumed. Moreover, Allah has indicated that disbelievers will resort to consuming their own bodily exudates due to extreme hunger, yet they will be unable to relish it or be satiated. Additionally, they will encounter the fruit of the tree of Zaqqum, which has a bitter taste and grotesque appearance. As for the drink prepared by Allah for the residents of hell, it is hamim, which is boiling water that tears apart the insides of anyone who consumes it. Thus, it becomes evident that the inhabitants of hell will find only fire awaiting them—their food is fire, their drink is fire, and their covering is fire.