An Exposition of the Hearts

ON THE PUNISHMENT OF HELL

Allâh says:

“It has seven gates. For each of those gates is a group assigned.” (Sûrah al-Hijr, 15: 44)

The word juz in this verse could refer to a faction, a group, a section. It is said that the gates refers to different levels. Ibn Jurayj rahimahullâh said: “The Hell-fire has seven storeys: (1) Jahannam – Hell, (2) Lazâ – blazing fire, (3) al-Hutamah – a vehement fire that breaks into pieces everything that is cast into it, (4) as-Sa‘îr – blazing flame, (5) Saqar – a name for Hell which literally refers to a fire that burns and melts, (6) al-Jahîm – a great fire in a pit, (7) al-Hâwiyah – a bottomless pit.

The uppermost storey is for those who believe in Allâh as one, the second storey is for the Jews, the third storey is for the Christians, the fourth storey is for the Sabeans, the fifth storey is for the Mageans, the sixth storey is for the polytheists, and the seventh storey is for the hypocrites. Jahannam is thus the uppermost storey and the other storeys are below it.

The meaning of the verse is that Allâh will separate the followers of Satan into seven groups. Each group and each section will enter a specific storey of Hell. The reason for this is that there are diverse stages of unbelief and acts of disobedience. Their ranks in the Hell-fire will therefore be diverse.

It is said that Hell is made into seven gates in order to coincide with the seven parts of the body: the eyes, the ears, the tongue, the stomach, the private part, the hand and the leg. Since it is from these parts that sins originate, their abodes are these seven gates.

‘Alî said: “The levels of Hell are seven. They are one on top of the other. The first will be filled first, then the second, then the third, till all are filled.”

Imâm al-Bukhârî rahimahullâh in his Târîkh and Imâm at-Tirmidhîrahimahullâh narrate from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Hell has seven gates one of which is for he who unsheathes his sword on my ummah.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates in al-Awsat that Jibra’îl came to the Prophet at a time when he did not normally come to him. The Messenger of Allâh stood up and said: “O Jibra’îl! How is it that I see your colour has changed?” He replied: “I did not come to you till Allâh commanded the bellows of the fire.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “O Jibra’îl! Describe the Hell-fire to me, or describe Hell.” Jibra’îl said: “Allâh ordered Hell to be ignited for one thousand years till it turned white. He then ordered it to be ignited for another thousand years till it turned red. He then ordered it to be ignited for another thousand years till it turned black. It is thus pitch black. Its sparks do not give off light nor do its flames subside. I take an oath by that Being who sent you as a Prophet with the truth, that even if Hell was opened to the extent of the eye of a needle, all those who are on earth would die. I take an oath by that being who sent you with the truth, if one of the guards of Hell were to appear before the inhabitants of earth, all those who are on earth would die because of the hideous looking faces and terrible stench of these guards. I take an oath by that Being who sent you with the truth, that if a single link from the chain of the inmates of Hell which Allâh described in His Book, were to be placed on the mountains of earth, they would all be dispersed and they would continue sinking into the ground till they reached the lowest level of earth.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “This is enough for me, O Jibra’îl! I do not want to hear more, or else my heart will be shattered and I will die.” The Messenger of Allâh then looked at Jibra’îl and saw him crying. He said: “O Jibra’îl! You are crying while you enjoy such a lofty position in the sight of Allâh!?” He replied: “Why should I not cry when I am most rightful to cry? It is possible that in the knowledge of Allâh I am not in the position that I am presently in. I do not know that I may be put through a test that Satan was put through. For he certainly used to be among the angels. I do not know that I may be put through a test that Hârût and Mârût were put through.”

The Messenger of Allâh began crying and Jibra’îl also cried. They continued crying till an announcement was made to them: “O Jibra’îl! And O Muhammad! Allâh has certainly secured both of you from disobeying Him.” Jibra’îl then ascended and the Messenger of Allâh appeared. He went pass a group of Ansâr who were laughing and playing. He said to them: “Are you laughing when Hell is beyond you?! If you only knew what I know, you would laugh little and cry profusely, you would not enjoy food and drink, and you would go out into the fields and cry before Allâh .”

An announcement was made: “O Muhammad! Do not make My servants despondent. I sent you as a giver of glad tidings and not as a person to put people into difficulty.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “Continue doing good deeds and remain balanced.” [i.e. do not go to extremes].

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh asked Jibra’îl : “How is it that I never saw Mîkâ’îl laughing?” He replied: “Mîkâ’îl never laughed ever since the Hell-fire was created.”

Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Hell will be brought on the day of resurrection with 70 000 reins. Each rein will be pulled by 70 000 angels.”