Description of hell in the Koran

All Muslims hope to spend their eternal lives in paradise (jannah), but many will not live up to it. The unbelievers and the wicked face another destination: Hell-Fire (jahannam). The Qur'an contains many warnings and descriptions of the gravity of this eternal punishment.

Burning fire

The coherent description of Hell in the Qur'an is like a burning fire fueled by "men and stones". It is therefore often called the "fire of hell".

"... fear the Fire whose fuel is made up of men and stones, which is prepared for those who reject the Faith" (2:24).
"... Enough is hell for a burning fire. Those who reject our signs, soon we will throw into the fire ... Because Allah is exalted in power, wise "(4: 55-56).
“But the one whose balance (of good deeds) is found light, will have his home in a (bottomless) pit. And what will explain to you what it is? A fire that burns fiercely! " (101: 8-11).

Cursed by Allah

The worst punishment for the unbelievers and the transgressors will be the awareness of having failed. They paid no attention to Allah's guidance and warnings and therefore earned his anger. The Arabic word, jahannam, means "a dark storm" or "a severe expression". Both exemplify the seriousness of this punishment. The Quran says:

“Those who reject the faith and die by refusing, - upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of angels and all humanity. They will remain in there: their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they receive respite "(2: 161-162).
"It is (men) whom Allah cursed: and those whom Allah Hath cursed, you will find out, have no one to help" (4:52).

Boiling water

Normally water brings relief and extinguishes the fire. The water in hell, however, is different.

“… Those who deny (their Lord), a garment of fire will be cut out for them. Over their heads boiling water will be poured. With it, what is inside their bodies, as well as (their) skins will be scalded. Also there will be iron maces (to punish them). Whenever they want to get away from it, they will be forced to go back and (it will be said), "Enjoy the pain of burning!" (22: 19-22).
"In the face of such is hell, and is given to drink, fetid boiling water" (14:16).
“Among them and in the midst of boiling water they will wander! "(55:44).

Zaqqum tree

While Heaven's rewards include abundant fresh fruit and milk, the inhabitants of Hell will eat from the Zaqqum Tree. The Quran describes it:

“Is it the best fun or the Zaqqum Tree? Because we really made it (like) a test for evildoers. It is a tree that flows from the bottom of Hell-Fire. The buds of its fruit - the stems are like the heads of devils. They will actually eat and fill their bellies. In addition, he will be given a mixture made of boiling water. Then their return will be to the (burning) Fire "(37: 62-68).
“Verily, the tree of mortal fruit will be the food of sinners. Like molten lead it will boil in the womb, like the boiling of burning despair "(44: 43-46).
No second chance

When dragged into Hell-Fire, many people will immediately regret the choices they have made in their lives and ask for another possibility. The Quran warns these people:

“And those who followed would have said, 'If only we had another chance ...' So Allah will show them (the fruits of) their actions as (nothing but) regrets. Nor will there be a way out for them from the Fire "(2: 167)
"As for those who reject the Faith: if they had everything on earth, and twice repeated, to give the sentence of the Judgment Day as a ransom, they would never be accepted by them. a severe penalty. Their desire will be to come out of the Fire, but they will never go out. Their punishment will be the one that lasts "(5: 36-37).