Hell

In religion and folklore, Hell is an afterlife location in which evil souls are subjected to punitive suffering, often torture as eternal punishment after death. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal destinations, the biggest examples of which are Christianity and Islam, whereas religions with reincarnation usually depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations, as is the case in the dharmic religions. Religions typically locate hell in another dimension or under Earth's surface.

126978

Paradise . Hell . Prophet Muhammad

How did the poor people in paradise and the women in hell, that Prophet Muhammad (s) saw with his own eyes, manage to be there before the Day of Resurrection?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 3 years ago

You did not understand the full meaning of the narration. It is wrong to claim that all women will be in hell, how come when millions of women are sincere believers and great women like Lady Fatima, Lady Mariam, Lady Khadija, Lady Zainab, and many other most pious ladies are better than millions of men. The narration which you mentioned means only the sinners from the women.

Even the other part of the narration about poor people in Paradise should be understood properly that not only poverty but their right faith and good deeds including tolerating poverty made them in Paradise.

Wassalam.

123368

Hell . Paradise . Life . Sin . Soul

I have heard that, over time, hell will be emptied and people will be introduced to paradise. In this case, why should we worry about sins in this life if in the end our souls will still enter paradise?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 3 years ago

When there is a possibility and a certainty, it is better to plan for the certainty.

The certainty is that hell exists. The possibility is that people might leave it.

Better to be careful! :)

Hell . Paradise . Life . Sin . Soul

1. Enemies of Allah (SWT) will remain in hellfire forever as we read in Quran, Sura 41, Verse 28: That is the recommence of the enemies of Allah; the Fire, therein will be for them the eternal place, a recommence for that they used to deny Our signs.
2. Those sinners who believed in Allah but disobeyed Him and insisted on sins and did not seek forgiveness till death, will be punished for their sins for periods depending on their sins. It is not a matter of minutes of hours but it can be years , decades or even hundreds of years.

3. Can any human being tolerate being inside big fire for a minute? What if it is for years and years which can reach to centuries? Those who think that committing sinful acts are easy, should ask themselves how much can they tolerate hellfire? may Allah (SWT) protect us from it.

4. We beg to Allah, The Most Merciful , The Best Forgiver, to protect us from any sin and forgive our previous sins and save us from the punishment of Hellfire. Allah (SWT) says in Quran about the servants of Allah : They supplicate to Allah: Our Lord, Avert from us the torment of Jahannam (Hell), verily, it's torment is unbearable. Sura 25, Verse 65.

Wassalam.

120965

Hell . Paradise

Who will be the first to enter Jannah and the last and the same for hell?

1. Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari narrated: A number of our companions discussed the Paradise in front of the Prophet (SAWA) who said: The first who will enter the Paradise will be Ali Ibn Abi Talib. (Biharul Anwar; V.8, P. 5).

2. In Sunni books we find a Hadeeth in Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal from the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) telling Ali (AS) : First four who will enter the Paradise are : myself and you and Al-Hasan and Al-Husain. Hadeeth number 1032 in Fadha'il al-Sahabah, Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.

3. Sunni well known scholar Al-Haithami narrated in Majma' al-Zawaa'id ; V. 9, P. 131, same Hadeeth.

4. Al-Tabarani has also narrated same Hadeeth in Al-Majma' al-Kabber in two places; Numbers 943 and 2558.

5. First who will enter Hell fire are mentioned in Hadeeth from The Prophet (SAWA) as: A ruler who controlled people with out justice, and a wealthy person who did not give the right of the wealth, and a poor person who was proud and arrogant. 'O yon Akhtar Al-Redha , V.2, P. 8.

Wassalam.

119621

Hell . God (Allah) . Homosexuality

How could Allah create homosexuals if He knew they would end up being punished ?

No one was forced by creation to be a homosexual. All human beings were created on the instinct knowledge of good morals, but some people deviate to their own temptations away from the instinct morality.

Homosexuality is a desire comes to few persons who follow it willingly but is has never been destined on any human being.

Wassalam..

119007

Hell . God (Allah)

Why did Allah create people knowing some will go to hell?

Allah The Glorious, The Most Merciful created us to shower on us His Mercy. We read in Quran that Allah created people for His Mercy. (Sura 11, Verse 119).

He created us for the Paradise after this life except those who insist on committing crimes and injustice refusing His Mercy. Paradise is last station for all human beings who believe in Allah (SWT) as the Hadeeth says: الجنة للموحدين The Paradise is for the believers in Tawheed.

Wassalam.

111203

Hell . Heaven . Eternity

What is a good philosophical argument to prove that hell and heaven are eternal?

Eternal Hell and Heaven
   1.   The Eternal Paradise for the pious believers is the Grace from Allah and a fulfilment of His promise to the pious believers as He said that the pious believers will be in the Paradise forever
Sura 3, verses 15, 136, 198
Sura Nisaa, verses 13, 57, 122
Sura Al- Maa'ida Verse 85
Sura al-An'aam Verse 128
Sura al-Tauba Verses 22, 72, 89, 100
Sura Hood Verse 108
Sura Ebraheem Verse 23
Sura al-Kahf Verse 108
Sura Taha Verse 76
Sura al-Furqan verse 76
Sura al-Ankaboot Verse 58
Sura al-Ahqaf Verse 14
Sura al-Fath Verse 05
Sura al-Hadeed Verse 12
Sura al-Mujadalah Verse 22
Sura al-Tahabun Verse 09
Sura al-Palaq Verse 11
Sura al-Baiyena Verse 08
   2.   Eternal Hell and Punishment is not for every sinner. Hadeeth says that the majority of those who go to hell fire will be released from it after they face the punishment of their bad deeds which they insisted on till death. In the narration everyone who has got any part of faith in Allah will never remain in the hell fire forever. Those who will remain in the hell fire are the enemies of Allah and enemies of mankind.Those who insisted on denying the facts and denying the truth and those who have their intention to continue doing wrong and denying the truth even if they remain alive forever. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked by someone why some people will remain in the hell fire forever and why the believers in the Paradise forever. In the reply Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said the reason for that those who had decided in their intentions that they will continue denying the truth and doing wrong even if they remain forever in the worldly life they will face the eternal hell fire and those believers who had intention in their life to obey Allah they will get their intention to obey Allah as long as they remain in life will get the reward in the Paradise forever and the Imam recited this verse “قُل كُلٌّ يَعمل على شاكلته Qol Kullun Ya’malo Ala Shakilatih” Say everyone acts upon His way. Imam said that the intention of the bad people and the intention of the good people resulted in their result either in Hell Fire or Paradise. (Elal al-Sharaa’i علل الشرائع Page 523.).
   3.   Even in the worldly laws and rules of punishment, a minute of a murder crime because of anger is punished by whole life of imprisonment or even by life sentence. Those who killed innocents and had the intention to kill when ever it suits their arrogance, will be in hellfire for longer periods.
   4.   We have not yet witnessed the Mercy of Allah on The Day of Judgement and we don’t know it’s limits. Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness is much greater than our imagination. We know that : any one who does evil will face the results of it. (5:123).
   5.   Eternal hell is not for all sinners but only those criminals of mankind who committed worst crimes and intended to always commit crimes forever. All sinners who did good and bad will get the Mercy of Allah even after entering the hell if they enter it, according to their good deeds or the Shafa’ah (intercession) which can save them.
Wassalam.

111391

Hell . Waswasa . OCD

Every once in a while I get these terrifying thoughts that despite all my good intentions and efforts to obtain paradise, I could still be sentenced to hell and that I am a terrible person no matter what. What should I do?

Terrifying thoughts are from Satan to disturb the believer and they do not lead to hell unless you believe in them. When you call such thoughts as terrifying, it means that you are terrified by them and never pleased or accepting them.

'Keep on repeating Estighfaar, Salawaat and LA HAWLA WALA QOWWATA ILLA BILLAH.

Wasalam.

111452

Irfan . Hell

I have been given the opportunity to embark on the path of Irfan and have even achieved a certain status but am afraid to continue because I have heard that Irfan can make you reach hell as well. What should I do?

There are many paths to spirituality and 'irfan; the one you are faced with is not the only one. It might work out for you, or it might not. If it doesn't, inshallah you will find a different path that is more suitable for you.

It is not possible to say from your question whether this specific 'irfani path, or 'irfan in general, will lead you to hell or not. Many things can lead people to hell. It often depends on what we do with them. Only Allah knows the end of all things, although it is sometimes obvious when someone is going down a slippery slope and a wrong path.

The only thing that is for sure is that when a person is certain they are guaranteed paradise, that person is in danger of hell.

Although I am sure you have done so already, I would recommend sincerely praying for guidance. If you are an Ithna Ashari Shi'i, or even if not, you could also write an ariza to Imam al-Zaman (A) asking for guidance specifically on how this path would affect your afterlife. You could also consult istikhara for guidance.

This is of course in addition to keeping your two eyes open. (Or, in this case, three or four eyes, if one counts the inner and the outer eyes.)

Wishing you the best!

Irfan . Hell

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Spirituality is a fundamental component of our lives as Muslims. As Shi'a Muslims, we are blessed with the Imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), who were the most spiritual of people, after the beloved Prophet (s.a.w.).

It is for this reason that we practice our faith in the best way, and by doing so, we will become spiritual. Spirituality does not mean doing certain peculiar things, or joining some fringe group, or reading tarot cards.

All we need to do initially is perform our wajibaat, and stay away from muharramaat.

Irfan is a very good field to learn about, and you will certainly pick up on some good positive points that can assist you on a practical level.

Venturing into these areas without correct guidance and solid background knowledge could lead to unforeseen deviation.

I should not say could. I should say most certainly. You must not be deceived by appearances, or claims, or picking up on "powers". The yogi masters who are not even Muslim have astonishing powers.

Therefore:

1. Consult with your local qualified mainstream scholar that you and your family trust.

2. Do not brush away or ignore any red flags you must see in the individual/s you are interacting with. Be ready to disassociate yourself with them if they are not pursuing the right method and they could be a "cult" in disguise.

3. Read books in this field, and learn on a theoretic level. Try to satisfy your urge through this, and you will also become more educated and know what this is all about. Just be careful and cautious with the information.

4. Turn to Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). They are the source of true and genuine Irfan. Their Irfan will lead you directly to heaven.

5. Always stay mainstream, and adopt a moderate life in line of the views and conduct of a Mainstream Marja' taqleed (or mainstream Mufti if you are Sunni), who is going to be the authority you align yourself with.

With prayers for your success.

107530

Satan . Paradise . Hell . Obedience . God (Allah)

I understand that Satan was able to deceive Prophet Adam (as) in paradise, was Satan also able to see Hellfire and still chose to disobey Allah?

We don't have details whether Satan was able to see Hellfire or not but we know that he disobeyed Allah when Allah ordered him to prostrate to Adam. Satan was told that he and all those who will follow him will be in Hellfire (Sura 15, verses 42 and 43).

Wassalam.

103634

Muslims . Hell . Sunni-Shi'a

Will all the non-Shia Muslims go to hell?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 years ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Please see the short video below where I answer this question more generally:

https://youtu.be/srNsJ_0dRow

May you always be successful