A Description of Jahannum

By: Young Mens Muslim Association PO Box 18594 – Actonville – Benoni – 1506 South Africa A Description Of Jahannum 2 A DESCRIPTION OF JAHANNUM Once Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) described Jahannum to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as follows: “After Allah Ta’ala created Jahannum, it was stoked for a thousand years. It then became red. It was stoked for another thousand years, and it became white. It was again stoked for another thousand years and it became black. Presently it is black. The roaring and leaping of its flames never cease. I take an oath by Allah! If Jahannum had to be opened the size of a needle’s eye, the entire universe would be reduced to ash. If a garment of a Jahannumi (an inmate of Jahannum) should be suspended between heaven and earth, its foul odour and heat will destroy and kill the entire creation. If just one chain of Jahannum from the chains mentioned in the Qur’aan is placed on a mountain, the latter will melt and sink into the very bottom of the earth’s bowels. If a person in the East had to be inflicted with the Athaab (punishment) of Jahannum, its heat will cause immense suffering to the people in the West. The scorching heat of Jahannum is extreme and its depth is an abyss. Its jewels are made of iron and its water is boiling pus. Its garments are of fire. It has five portals. The people who will pass through each portal have already been ordained. The distance between two portals is 70 miles. Each door is 70 times hotter than the adjacent one. The enemies of Allah Ta’ala will be driven towards these Doors. They will be welcomed at these portals with chains with which they will be fettered. Each person will be accompanied by his/her shaitaan. They will be dragged upside down with their faces on the ground. They will be clubbed with hammers and buffeted by Angels into Jahannum.” A Description Of Jahannum 3 Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked: “Who will occupy the various levels of Jahannum?” Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) replied: “The very last (at the bottom) level will be occupied by the Munaafiqeen (Hypocrites), the People of the Maaidah, and Fir’oun with his legions. The name of this level is Haawiyah. The second level (i.e. above Haawiyah) will be occupied by the Mushrikeen. Its name is Jaheem. The third level will be the abode of the Saabieen (Star Worshippers). Its name is Saqar. The fourth level will be the home of Iblees and his followers. Its name is Lati. The fifth level, Hutamah, will be the abode of the Yahood. The sixth level, Saeer, will be the abode of the Nasaara.” Suddenly Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) became silent. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked: “Why are you silent? Who will be the inmates of the seventh level?” With utmost difficulty and with downcast eyes, Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) responded: “The inmates of the seventh level will be the people of your Ummah who committed major sins and died without Taubah.” Unable to bear the pain and agony of grief which this information ignited in him, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) fell down unconscious. The Narrator exclaimed: “May my father and mother be sacrificed!” Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) cradled Rasulullah’s blessed head in his lap. When Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) regained consciousness, he cried: “Will anyone from my Ummah also be cast into Jahannum?” Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) said: “Yes! Those who commit major sins and die without Taubah.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) broke down crying uncontrollably. His tears and grief reduced Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) also to tears. A Description Of Jahannum 4 Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) departed. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) returned home and went into complete seclusion. He discontinued meeting people. He would emerge from the house for only Salaat. After Salaat, without speaking a word, he would return home. He would begin Salaat crying and end Salaat crying. Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was unable to control his grief. On the third day, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) appeared at the door of Rasulullah’s home. He greeted and requested permission to enter. There was no response from within the home. He left shedding tears. Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) made a similar attempt to meet with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), but also returned shedding tears. Then Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi (radhiyallahu anhu) appeared. He too was met with silence. He remained for a while. Restlessly would he sit, then get up, then sit and get up. He went away and returned without being granted permission to enter. He departed crying in profusion. In this pitiful condition he went to the house of Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha) and narrated the entire episode. Restless and agitated, Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha) covering herself with her shawl went immediately to the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). At the door she made Salaam and said: ‘I am Faatimah!” At that moment Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was crying in Sajdah, grief-stricken because of his Ummah. (Yes his Ummah – that Ummah which is today mocking and abandoning his Sunnah – that Ummah which is today priding itself with its emulation of the kuffaar. May Allah Ta’ala open up the blinded eyes of this Ummah. May Allah Ta’ala eliminate the intoxication of westernism which has made this Ummah turn their backs on the Sunnah of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam – who are stabbing Nabi-e-Kareem sallallahu A Description Of Jahannum 5 alayhi wasallam in the heart with their kufr, bid’ah, fisq, fujoor, abandonment of the Sunnah, and aping the enemies of Allah.) Lifting his mubaarak head from Sajdah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Faatimah! The Coolness of my eyes! What is the matter?” He instructed the inmates in the home to open the door for Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha). When Hadhrat Faatimah’s eyes beheld the state of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) she wept uncontrollably. Then she exclaimed: “O Rasulullah! What has reduced you to this condition?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “O Faatimah! Jibraeel came to me and described Jahannum. He informed me that the uppermost level of Jahannum will be the abode for those of my Ummah who will be committing major sins. This grief has reduced me to this condition.” Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha) asked: “How will the Angels cast them into Jahannum?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The Angels will drag them towards Jahannum, but their faces will not become black. Their eyes will not become green. Their mouths will not be sealed nor will their shayaateen be accompanying them.” Then she asked: “How will the Angels grab them?” Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The men will be grabbed by their beards and the women by their hair. The old and the young, men and women, all of them in unison will loudly lament over their state of humiliation. They will be driven in this state of disgrace to Jahannum. When they arrive at Jahannum, Maalik, the Guard of Jahannum, will ask the Angels: ‘Who are these people? They are an astonishing kind. Neither are their faces black nor their eyes green, nor have their mouths been sealed. Their shayaateen (devils) are also not accompanying them. There are no chains around their necks.’ The Angels will respond: ‘We are not aware of anything. We have only been commanded to deliver them to you.’ A Description Of Jahannum 6 Maalik, the Guard of Jahannum will bellow: ‘O you unfortunate ones! Who are you?’ They will say: ‘We are those people to whom the Qur’aan was revealed and on whom fasting in Ramadhaan was made incumbent.’ Maalik: ‘The Qur’aan was revealed only to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).’ The very mention of Rasulullah’s name will evoke loud wails and cries from the people, and they will cry: ‘We are the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).’ Maalik: ‘What! Did the Qur’aan not warn of transgressing against Allah Ta’ala?’ The sight of the blazing fire will compel them to plead to Maalik: ‘Allow us time to shed our final tears (i.e. outside Jahannum).’ Thus, will they wail until their tears are replaced by blood. Blood will flow from their eyes. Maalik will say: ‘Would that this crying had been on earth, then you would not have suffered this calamity today.’ By the command of Maalik they all will be flung into Jahannum. All in unison will cry: ‘Laailaha il lallaah’. On hearing this Kalimah, the Fire will hold back. Maalik will remonstrate with the Fire, and it will respond: ‘How can I apprehend them when the Kalimah of Tauheed is on their tongues?’ After the Fire will repeat its performance several times, Maalik will say: ‘This is Allah’s command (i.e. to punish them).’ The Fire will then suck them in. Some will be in the Fire until their feet, some until their knees, some until their hips and some until their necks. Maalik will instruct the Fire not to burn their faces and their hearts. He will A Description Of Jahannum 7 say: ‘On earth they had performed Salaat and fasted in Ramadhaan.’ They will remain in the Fire as long as Allah Ta’ala wills. Whilst suffering the torments of Jahannum, they will repeatedly call unto Allah Ta’ala: ‘Ya Hannaan! Ya Mannaan! Ya Arhamur Raahimeen! (O Thou of Overwhelming Mercy! O Thou of Limitless Bounties! O Thou Most Merciful of all the merciful ones!) One day (after ages and ages of burning in the Fire), Allah Ta’ala will say to Jibraeel: ‘Go and see what is the condition of the Ummah of Muhammad.’ With extreme haste, Jibraeel will set off on the errand. He will find Maalik in the middle of Jahannum seated on a throne of fire. Seeing Jibraeel, Maalik will rise from his throne to welcome him. Jibraeel will say that he has come to enquire about the state of the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Maalik will say: ‘Their condition is extremely vile. The Fire has consumed the flesh from their bodies. Only their faces and hearts remain intact. Imaan still glitters in their hearts.’ Jibraeel will request to view them. On seeing Jibraeel (alayhis salaam), these inmates of Jahannum will know that he is not one of the Angels of Punishment. Mercy will be cascading from the beautiful form of Jibraeel. They will exclaim: ‘Who is this?’ When it will be said to them: ‘This is Jibareel who used to reveal Wahi (the Qur’aan) to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)’, all of them will loudly wail, and cry out: ‘O Jibraeel: ‘Convey our Salaams to our Master Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), and inform him that our sins have separated us from him. Our sins have destroyed us.’ On his return, Jibraeel will explain the scene to Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala will say: ‘O Jibraeel! Did they say anything to you?’ Jibraeel will say: ‘Yes! They asked that their Salaam be conveyed A Description Of Jahannum 8 to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and to inform him of their ruined and pitiful state.’ Allah Ta’ala will order Jibraeel to deliver their message. Jibraeel will immediately present himself to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). On that occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) will be resting in a palace of white pearls with four thousand portals. The two sides of every door will be of gold. After greeting, Jibraeel will say: ‘I have come from the sinners of your Ummah They have conveyed their Salaam and have asked me to explain to you their ruined and pitiful state.’ After hearing the full story of the misery of his Ummah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) will go to the Arsh and fall into Sajdah under it. He will recite the praises of Allah Ta’ala as he had never before recited. Allah Ta’ala will command him to lift his head and to supplicate for whatever he wishes. It will be granted. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) will supplicate: ‘O Allah! Your command regarding the sinners of my Ummah has been executed. They have suffered their punishment. Accept my intercession on their behalf.’ Allah Ta’ala will say: ‘We have accepted your intercession. Proceed to Jahannum and remove every person who had recited La ilaha il lalaah. On seeing Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), the Guard of Jahannum will stand in respect. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) will say: ‘O Maalik! What is the condition of the sinners of my Ummah?’ Maalik will say: ‘Extremely pitiful!’ The gate of Jahannum will be opened up. When their eyes will fall on Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the inmates of Jahannum will scream in unison: ‘O Rasulullah! The Fire has consumed our skins and our liver……..’ Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) will proceed with the task to free them from Jahannum. They will have the appearance of burnt out coal. They A Description Of Jahannum 9 will be bathed in the river called Ridhwaan which is located just outside Jannat. They will emerge from the river, handsome and beautiful with glittering faces. Thereafter they will be admitted to Jannat. Those remaining in Jahannum (the kuffaar) will all lament and cry: ‘Would that we had been Muslim then today we too would have been saved like them.’ Then, Maut (Death) will be brought in the form of a ram at a place between Jannat and Jahannum. After it is slaughtered it will be proclaimed: ‘No longer will there be death for anyone.’ Those in Jahannum will remain there forever, and those in Jannat will remain forever.’ ” Allaahumma ajirna minan naar – O Allah! Save us from the Fire. REALITY OF JAHANNUM (Author Unknown) Easy Entrance: “Paradise is surrounded by difficulties and Fire is surrounded by temptations” [Bukhari]. Eternal: "O Jannatis, now there will be no death; O Jahannumis now there will be no death; On hearing this call, the Jannatis will be delighted and the Jahanamis will become more depressed." Depth: "If a rock is dropped into Jahannum, it will remain plummeting for 70 years before touching the pit of Jahannum". [Muslim] Four Walls: "Four walls surround Jahannum. The width of each wall is a walking distance of 40 years". Seven Gates: "Jahannum has seven gates; one of them is for the one who unsheathes a sword against my Ummah." [Mishkat] A Description Of Jahannum 10 Atmosphere: “Jahannum was heated for a thousand years and its fire turned red; it was then heated for another thousand years and it became white; it was again heated for another thousand years and it turned black. At present, Jahannum is pitch black and dark." [Tirmidhi] "The fire in which one will burn is the 70th part of the Fire of Jahannum.” [Muslim] Breath: "Once Jahannum complained to Allah Ta'ala against the increasing heat because one portion was eating into another. Then the Rabb of the Worlds allowed it to have two breaths -- one during summer and another during winter. Therefore the heat you feel is the effect of the heave of Jahannum (with it the breath is taken out) and similarly, the rigid cold you experience is the effect of the breath (taken in). [Bukhari] Seven Layers: Ali ibn Abi Talib (radhiyallahu anhu) has said that the gates of Jahannum are one upon each other. This denotes that Jahannum has layers. "The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire." [Qur'an 4:145]. JUBBUL HUZN – THE PIT OF GRIEF Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) addressing the Sahaabah, said: “Seek refuge with Allah from Jubbul Huzn (The Pit of Grief). The Sahaabah asked: “O Rasulullah! (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “What is Jubbul Huzn?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “It is a valley in Jahannum. Daily, Jahannum seeks protection (with Allah) from it four hundred times.” Someone asked: “O Rasulullah! (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): ‘Who will enter into it?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “It has been prepared A Description Of Jahannum 11 for the qaaris who display their deeds. Verily, among the most detested qaaris by Allah are those who visited the rulers.” This Hadith is adequate warning and admonition for the fussaaq qaaris and for those who arrange exhibitions and qiraa’t shows for these qaaris who pursue the dunya with the deeds of the Aakhirat. Regarding such qaaris Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The majority of the munaafiqeen of my Ummah are its qaaris.” THE TREE OF ZAQQOOM “And, the people of the left! How wretched are the people of the left! They shall be (caught) in a fierce scorching wind and in boiling water, and a shade of intensely black (thick) smoke. Neither will it be cool nor hospitable. Then (know) O you deviates who used to falsify (the Haqq) that verily you shall eat from the Tree of Zaqqoom. Thus you shall fill your bellies from (the thorns) of it (Zaqqoom). Then upon it (i.e. upon having been forced to swallow the thorns) you shall drink boiling water. And, you shall (be forced) to drink like thirsty camels. This will be (for them) their hospitality on the Day of Reckoning.”(Surah Waaqiah) “Is this (i.e. Jannat) better hospitality than the Tree of Zaqqoom? We have most certainly made it (Zaqqoom) a fitnah (punishment) for the oppressors. Verily, it (Zaqqoom) is a tree which rises from the very depths of Jaheem (Jahannum). Its fruit resembles the heads of shayaateen (devils). Verily they will (be forced) to eat from it and fill their bellies with it. Thereafter there will be for them a mixture of boiling water.” (Surah Saffaat) A Description Of Jahannum 12 “Verily the Tree of Zaqqoom shall be the food of the sinful. It will be like oil which shall boil in the bellies just as water boils. (It shall be commanded): ‘Grab him! Drag him to the depths of the Blazing Fire! Then pour over his head the punishment of boiling water. Taste! Verily, you are (supposed to be) great and honourable. This is what you used to doubt (mock and deny).” (Surah Dukhaan) Regarding the Tree of Zaqqoom, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Even if a drop from the Tree of Zaqqoom is dropped on to earth, it would contaminate the food of entire mankind. WILL BE BRANDED “O People of Imaan! Verily, numerous from the scholars and saints (of Bani Israaeel) consume the wealth of people unlawfully and they prevent (people) from the Path of Allah. And, those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the Path of Allah, give them the tidings of a painful punishment. On the Day that it (the gold and silver) shall be heated in the Fire of Jahannum. Then, shall their foreheads, sides and backs be branded with it (It shall be said to them): ‘This is what you had treasured for yourselves. Therefore taste what you had treasured.” (Surah Taubah) PUS OF THE JAHANNUMIS “…….And every arrogant tyrant was unsuccessful. Ahead of him is Jahannum, and he will be given pus to drink. He will drink, however, it will not go down his throat. Death will approach him from every side, but he will not die. Before him will be a severe punishment.” (Surah Ibraaheem) A Description Of Jahannum 13 Commenting on this aayat, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “In Jahannum when the drink of pus will be brought close to his mouth, he will recoil with revulsion . It will be brought closer and it (the pus) will scorch his face and the skin will fall off. When he drinks it, his intestines will be ripped apart and emerge from his anus. Allah Ta’ala will say: ‘Drink boiling water.’ Thus will it tear to shreds their intestines.” (Mishkaat) THE VALLEY OF HAB-HAB Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “In Jahannum there is a valley known as Hab-hab in which will reside every oppressor.” One of the reasons for this name is the swiftness with which oppressors will be cast into this horrible valley in Jahannum. (Mishkaat) TEARS OF BLOOD Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “O People! “Cry! And if you are unable to cry, simulate crying, for verily the people of the Fire will cry so profusely in the Fire that their tears will be like rivers.. (They will cry) until the tears stop and blood flows. Their eyes will become severely wounded, and due to the abundance of tears and blood a ship will be able to sail if placed in it (the sea of blood and tears).” (Mishkaat) FOUL STENCH Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “If a bucket of the pus (of the people of the Fire) is poured onto earth, its stench would overwhelm entire mankind.” (Mishkaath) A Description Of Jahannum 14 AS-SA-OOD Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “(In Jahannum) is a mountain of Fire called As-Sa-ood. (An inmate) will climb this mountain for seventy years, then descend (on the other side) for seventy years. (This process) will be forever.” THE COLOUR OF THE FIRE Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The Fire (of Jahannum) was fuelled for a thousand years until it became red. Then it was fuelled (again) for a thousand years. It then became white. Then it was again fuelled for a thousand years. It then became black. Thus it is intensely black.” (Mishkaat) SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: In the Fire are serpents (as huge) as camels. The poisonous effect of a bite of these serpents will endure for 40 years. And, in the Fire are scorpions (as big) as mules. When one of them bites, the poisonous effect will endure for 40 years.” (Mishkaat) THE SUN AND THE MOON “Hasan narrated that Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘On the Day of Qiyaamah the sun and the moon will be brought in the form of buffalos, wrapped up and cast into the Fire.’ Hasan said: ‘And what was their sin?’ Abu Hurairah said: ‘I merely narrate to you from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).’ Then Hasan remained silent. “ (Mishkaat) A Description Of Jahannum 15 A MISERABLE WRETCH Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “None, except a miserable wretch.” Someone said: “O Rasulullah! Who is a miserable wretch?” He said: “He who does not practise virtuous deeds for the sake of Allah and does not shun sins for the sake of Allah.” (Mishkaat) VEILED WITH DELIGHTS AND PLEASURES Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “When Allah created Jahannum, He said: ‘O Jibraeel! Go and see Jahannum.’ Jibraeel went, saw it and then said (to Allah Ta’ala): ‘O My Rabb! By Your Might! No one who hears of Jahannum will ever enter it.’ Then Allah covered Jahannum with delights and pleasures, and He said to Jibraeel: “Go and see it.’ He went, saw it and then said: ‘O My Rabb! By Your Might! I fear that there will not remain anyone but he will enter it.” YOKES AND CHAINS “…When there will (be placed) yokes on their necks and chains. They shall be dragged into the boiling water, then be cast as fuel into the fire…….Enter the gates of Jahannum wherein you shall live forever. Vile indeed is the abode of the proud ones.” (Al-Mu’min) THE ETERNAL REGRET “Hadhrat Abu Dardah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: A Description Of Jahannum 16 “Such hunger will be imposed on the inmates of the Fire, which will be tantamount to the combined punishment of the inmates of the Fire. They will then plead desperately (to be relieved of the terrible chastisement of hunger.) Their pleas will be answered with thorns. They will plead for water. Mugs of (heated) iron filled with boiling water will be brought close to their faces. Their faces will be roasted and when it (the boiling water) enters (by force) into their bellies, it will tear to shreds whatever is inside their bodies. It will be said to them: ‘Call to the guards of Jahannum (to aid you).’ The guards of Jahannum will retort: ‘What, did there not come to you your Messengers (Ambiya/Rusul) with the clear evidence (of the Deen)? They will lament: ‘Yes.’……It will be said to them: ‘Call Maalik (the Angel in charge of Jahannum).’ They will cry: ‘O Maalik! (Ask) your Rabb to end the calamity (i.e. let us die).’ He will respond: ‘Remain (in this condition) forever.’ ……The period which will lapse from the time of their cry to the time of Maalik’s response) will be a thousand years. (A year in the Hereafter equal 50,000 earthly years) Maalik will say: ‘Call to your Rabb. There is no being better than your Rabb.’ They will wail: ‘O our Rabb! Our evil has overwhelmed us. We were a people gone astray. O our Rabb! Take us out from the Fire. If we ever again repeat (our disobedience), then we shall surely be transgressors.’ Allah Ta’ala will respond: “Remain therein disgraced, and do not speak to Me.” At that moment they will lose all hope of goodness, and they will bray (like asses), wail and be smitten by eternal regret.”