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[[File:Women in hell.jpg|right|thumb|230px|A 15<sup>th</sup> century [[Iran|Persian]] depiction of [[Muhammad]], [[Gabriel]] and [[Buraq]] watching as a demon tortures [[Islam and Women|women]] by hanging them up by hooks through their breasts and burning them. Muhammad said that the majority of people in Hell were women because they are ungrateful and harsh towards their husbands.<ref name="Bukhari 7 62 125">"''Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abbas: [...] Then I saw the (Hell) Fire, and I have never before, seen such a horrible sight as that, and I saw that the majority of its dwellers were women." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for that?" He replied, "Because of their ungratefulness." It was said. "Do they disbelieve in Allah (are they ungrateful to Allah)?" He replied, "They are not thankful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors done to them. Even if you do good to one of them all your life, when she seems some harshness from you, she will say, "I have never seen any good from you."''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|125}}</ref>]] | [[File:Women in hell.jpg|right|thumb|230px|A 15<sup>th</sup> century [[Iran|Persian]] depiction of [[Muhammad]], [[Gabriel]] and [[Buraq]] watching as a demon tortures [[Islam and Women|women]] by hanging them up by hooks through their breasts and burning them. Muhammad said that the majority of people in Hell were women because they are ungrateful and harsh towards their husbands.<ref name="Bukhari 7 62 125">"''Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abbas: [...] Then I saw the (Hell) Fire, and I have never before, seen such a horrible sight as that, and I saw that the majority of its dwellers were women." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for that?" He replied, "Because of their ungratefulness." It was said. "Do they disbelieve in Allah (are they ungrateful to Allah)?" He replied, "They are not thankful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors done to them. Even if you do good to one of them all your life, when she seems some harshness from you, she will say, "I have never seen any good from you."''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|125}}</ref>]] | ||
'''Jahannam''' (جهنم) is the [[Arabic]] language equivalent | '''''Jahannam''''' (جهنم) is the [[Arabic]] language equivalent of the word[[Hell]] and refers to the eternal abode of fiery torment. The word 'Jahannam' comes from the Hebrew 'Gehinnom'. Jahannam is the foil to [[Jannah (Paradise)]], which is the eternal abode of bliss. Both are said to coexist with temporal world but will only be occupied by humans after the Day of Judgement. Other names for Jahannam in the Quran include ''al-Nar'' (lit. "the fire"), ''Jaheem'' (lit. "the blazing fire"), ''Hutamah'' (lit. "that which shatters"), ''Haawiyah'' (lit. "the abyss"). | ||
Generally - although a minority of theologians differ - it is held that unbelievers (i.e. [[Kafir (Infidel)|infidels, or ''kuffar'']]) will spend eternity in Jahannam and that sinful Muslims will only spend as much time therein as is required to purge them of their sins, whereafter they will be sent to Jannah. | |||
Nearly 500 verses (roughly one out of every twelve) in the [[Qur'an|Quran]] speak of Hell.<ref>{{Citation|journal=Numen: International Review for the History of Religions|title=Islamic Hell|year=2009|volume=56|number=2/3|last=Thomassen|first=Einar}}</ref> Among other descriptions, the Quran describes Jahannam as fueled by the bodies of its occupants.<ref>"''Those who reject Faith,- neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: They are themselves but fuel for the Fire.''" - {{Quran|3|10}}</ref> [[Punishments|Punishments]] in Jahannam are said to vary according to a person's sins.<ref>"''To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds: for thy Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do.''" - {{Quran|6|132}}</ref><ref>"''Is the man who follows the good pleasure of Allah Like the man who draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and whose abode is in Hell?- A woeful refuge! They are in varying gardens in the sight of Allah, and Allah sees well all that they do.''" - {{Quran-range|3|162|163}}</ref> Like Jannah, Jahannam has seven gates, one for each of seven classes of sinners.<ref>"''And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all! To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.''" - {{Quran-range|15|43|44}}</ref> Angels serve as Jahannam's overseers.<ref>"''O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.''" - {{Quran|66|6}}</ref><ref>"''Over it are Nineteen. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth Allah intend by this?" Thus doth Allah leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind.''" - {{Quran-range|74|30|31}}</ref> The torture is described as so terrible that its occupants will plead for their own destruction, "Would that I were dust!".<ref name="Quran 25 11 14">"''Nay they deny the hour (of the judgment to come): but We have prepared a blazing fire for such as deny the hour: When it sees them from a place fAr off, they will hear its fury and its ranging sigh. And when they are cast, bound together into a constricted place therein, they will pLead for destruction there and then! "This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction oft-repeated!"''" - {{Quran-range|25|11|14}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Details in scripture== | ||
===Punishments=== | ===Punishments=== | ||
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#Exchangeable skins so that people can be roasted over and over again<ref name="Quran 4 56">"''Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.''" - {{Quran|4|56}}</ref> | #Exchangeable skins so that people can be roasted over and over again<ref name="Quran 4 56">"''Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.''" - {{Quran|4|56}}</ref> | ||
=== | ===Occupants=== | ||
*99% of human beings,<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The first man to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam who will be shown his offspring, and it will be said to them, 'This is your father, Adam.' Adam will say (responding to the call), 'Labbaik and Sa'daik' Then Allah will say (to Adam), 'Take out of your offspring, the people of Hell.' Adam will say, 'O Lord, how many should I take out?' Allah will say, 'Take out ninety-nine out of every hundred." They (the Prophet's companions) said, "O Allah's Apostle! If ninety-nine out of every one hundred of us are taken away, what will remain out of us?" He said, "My followers in comparison to the other nations are like a white hair on a black ox."''" - {{Bukhari|8|76|536}}</ref> most of them women<ref name="Bukhari 1 6 301">"''Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."''" - {{Bukhari|1|6|301}}</ref><ref name="Bukhari 7 62 125"></ref> | *99% of human beings,<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The first man to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam who will be shown his offspring, and it will be said to them, 'This is your father, Adam.' Adam will say (responding to the call), 'Labbaik and Sa'daik' Then Allah will say (to Adam), 'Take out of your offspring, the people of Hell.' Adam will say, 'O Lord, how many should I take out?' Allah will say, 'Take out ninety-nine out of every hundred." They (the Prophet's companions) said, "O Allah's Apostle! If ninety-nine out of every one hundred of us are taken away, what will remain out of us?" He said, "My followers in comparison to the other nations are like a white hair on a black ox."''" - {{Bukhari|8|76|536}}</ref> most of them women<ref name="Bukhari 1 6 301">"''Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."''" - {{Bukhari|1|6|301}}</ref><ref name="Bukhari 7 62 125"></ref> | ||
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*People who prefer this world and neglect the after-life<ref>"''These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.''" - {{Quran|2|86}}</ref><ref>"''If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them - such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.''" - {{Quran|17|18}}</ref> | *People who prefer this world and neglect the after-life<ref>"''These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.''" - {{Quran|2|86}}</ref><ref>"''If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them - such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.''" - {{Quran|17|18}}</ref> | ||
====Muslims | ====Sinful Muslims==== | ||
{{Quote|1={{Muslim|1|349}}|2=...When Allah would finish judging His bondsmen and because of His mercy decide to take out of Hell such people as He pleases. He would command the angels to bring out those who had not associated anything with Allah; to whom Allah decided to show mercy. those who would say: There is no god but Allah. They (the angels) would recognise them in the Fire by the marks of prostration, for Hell-fire will devour everything (limb) of the sons of Adam except the marks of prostration. Allah has forbidden the fire to consume the marks of prostration. They will be taken out of the Fire having been burnt, and the water of life would be poured over them, and they will sprout as seed does In the silt carried by flood...}} | {{Quote|1={{Muslim|1|349}}|2=...When Allah would finish judging His bondsmen and because of His mercy decide to take out of Hell such people as He pleases. He would command the angels to bring out those who had not associated anything with Allah; to whom Allah decided to show mercy. those who would say: There is no god but Allah. They (the angels) would recognise them in the Fire by the marks of prostration, for Hell-fire will devour everything (limb) of the sons of Adam except the marks of prostration. Allah has forbidden the fire to consume the marks of prostration. They will be taken out of the Fire having been burnt, and the water of life would be poured over them, and they will sprout as seed does In the silt carried by flood...}} | ||
====Muhammad's | ====Muhammad's parents==== | ||
The belief that Muhammad's parents are in Hell is an accepted mainstream Islamic belief<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://islamqa.com/en/ref/47170/hell|2=2011-06-08}} Are the parents of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in Paradise or in Hell?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 47170</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/70297/fabricated%2520hadeeth|2=2012-01-31}} How sound is the hadeeth about the parents of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) being brought back to life?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 70297</ref> | The belief that Muhammad's parents are in Hell is an accepted mainstream Islamic belief<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://islamqa.com/en/ref/47170/hell|2=2011-06-08}} Are the parents of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in Paradise or in Hell?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 47170</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/70297/fabricated%2520hadeeth|2=2012-01-31}} How sound is the hadeeth about the parents of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) being brought back to life?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 70297</ref>.. | ||
{{Quote| {{Muslim|4|2130}}|Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) visited the grave of his mother and he wept, and moved others around him to tears, and said: I sought permission from my Lord to beg forgiveness for her but it was not granted to me, and I sought permission to visit her grave and it was granted to me. So visit the graves, for that makes you mindful of death.}} | {{Quote| {{Muslim|4|2130}}|Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) visited the grave of his mother and he wept, and moved others around him to tears, and said: I sought permission from my Lord to beg forgiveness for her but it was not granted to me, and I sought permission to visit her grave and it was granted to me. So visit the graves, for that makes you mindful of death.}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Muslim|1|398}} |Anas reported: Verily, a person said: Messenger of Allah, where is my father? He said: (He) is in the Fire. When he turned away, he (the Holy Prophet) called him and said: Verily my father and your father are in the Fire.}} | {{Quote|{{Muslim|1|398}} |Anas reported: Verily, a person said: Messenger of Allah, where is my father? He said: (He) is in the Fire. When he turned away, he (the Holy Prophet) called him and said: Verily my father and your father are in the Fire.}} | ||
====Muhammad's | ====Muhammad's supporter and uncle Abu Talib==== | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|2|23|442}}|Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab from his father: | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|2|23|442}}|Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab from his father: | ||
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When the time of the death of Abu Talib approached, Allah's Apostle went to him and found Abu Jahl bin Hisham and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya bin Al-Mughira by his side. Allah's Apostle said to Abu Talib, "O uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, a sentence with which I shall be a witness (i.e. argue) for you before Allah. Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya said, "O Abu Talib! Are you going to denounce the religion of Abdul Muttalib?" Allah's Apostle kept on inviting Abu Talib to say it (i.e. 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah') while they (Abu Jahl and Abdullah) kept on repeating their statement till Abu Talib said as his last statement that he was on the religion of Abdul Muttalib and refused to say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' (Then Allah's Apostle said, "I will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so." So Allah revealed (the verse) concerning him (i.e. It is not fitting for the Prophet and those who believe that they should invoke (Allah) for forgiveness for pagans even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of the fire (9.113).}} | When the time of the death of Abu Talib approached, Allah's Apostle went to him and found Abu Jahl bin Hisham and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya bin Al-Mughira by his side. Allah's Apostle said to Abu Talib, "O uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, a sentence with which I shall be a witness (i.e. argue) for you before Allah. Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya said, "O Abu Talib! Are you going to denounce the religion of Abdul Muttalib?" Allah's Apostle kept on inviting Abu Talib to say it (i.e. 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah') while they (Abu Jahl and Abdullah) kept on repeating their statement till Abu Talib said as his last statement that he was on the religion of Abdul Muttalib and refused to say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' (Then Allah's Apostle said, "I will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so." So Allah revealed (the verse) concerning him (i.e. It is not fitting for the Prophet and those who believe that they should invoke (Allah) for forgiveness for pagans even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of the fire (9.113).}} | ||
== | == Origins == | ||
== Doctrinal debates == | |||
==Criticisms== | |||
=== Challenges to Allah's benevolence === | |||
==== Creation of beings predestined for hell ==== | |||
The Qur'an states that Allah the "Omniscient" had the option of giving "every soul its true guidance" but preferred to "fill Hell with jinns and men all altogether".<ref>"''If We had so willed, We could certainly have brought every soul its true guidance: but the Word from Me will come true, "I will fill Hell with Jinns and men all together."''" - {{Quran|32|13}}</ref><ref>"'' Praise be to Allah, to Whom belong all things in the heavens and on earth: to Him be Praise in the Hereafter: and He is Full of Wisdom, acquainted with all things. He knows all that goes into the earth, and all that comes out thereof; all that comes down from the sky and all that ascends thereto and He is the Most Merciful, the Oft-Forgiving. The Unbelievers say, "Never to us will come the Hour": Say, "Nay! but most surely, by my Lord, it will come upon you;- by Him Who knows the unseen,- from Whom is not hidden the least little atom in the heavens or on earth: Nor is there anything less than that, or greater, but is in the Record Perspicuous:''" - {{Quran-range|34|1|3}}</ref> This means that Allah creates beings he knows will be tortured. | |||
==== Unfair punishment ==== | |||
Infinite punishment cannot be properly described as fair punishment for finite sins. This causes eternal torture to be unjust. | |||
==== Futile punishment ==== | |||
Many if not most of Hell's occupants will never be able to repent, reform, or escape.<ref>"''They will cry: "O Malik! would that thy Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Nay, but ye shall abide!"''" - {{Quran|43|77}}</ref><ref>"''Therein will they cry aloud (for assistance): "Our Lord! Bring us out: we shall work righteousness, not the (deeds) we used to do!" - "Did We not give you long enough life so that he that would should receive admonition? and (moreover) the warner came to you. So taste ye (the fruits of your deeds): for the wrong-doers there is no helper."''" - {{Quran|35|36-37}}</ref><ref>"''They will say: "our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a people astray! "Our Lord! bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be wrong-doers indeed!" He will say: "Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!''" - {{Quran-range|23|106|108}}</ref><ref>"''For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such), Destination. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, Almost bursting with fury: Every time a Group is cast therein, its Keepers will ask, "Did no Warner come to you?" They will say: "Yes indeed; a Warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said, 'Allah never sent down any (Message): ye are nothing but an egregious delusion!'" They will further say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!" They will then confess their sins: but far will be (Forgiveness) from the Companions of the Blazing Fire!''" - {{Quran-range|67|6|11}}</ref> Since eternal torture is not being used for any constructive purpose after justice has been attained through fair punishment, it is futile. | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||