Hell is the abode of punishment for the sinners. It is also a place in which their sins are cleansed and purged. It has been mentioned in the Quran with various names. At some places, it has been called Jahannum and at others Saqar. It has also been called al-Sair, al-Nar and al-Nar al-kubra. It is the worst of abodes according to the Quran (2:126, 206; 3:151; 14:29). The Almighty has informed us that it will have seven doors and for each door there will be a certain share of sinners (15:44). If the sins which the Quran has called deadly are enumerated, they can be categorized as seven (17:22-39). Satan tries to induce people into one or all of these sins in order to lead them to Hell. In all probability, each of these seven doors of Hell are for these seven deadly sins. The extent and size of Hell is also intended to be made evident from this description. It will be so huge that it will have seven doors through which sinners will be made to enter in accordance with the sins they had committed. It has also been stated in the Quran that nineteen angels are in charge of it:

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا سَقَرُ لَا تُبْقِي وَلَا تَذَرُ لَوَّاحَةٌ لِلْبَشَرِ عَلَيْهَا تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ(74: 27-30)

And what do you know what this Hell is? It will not show mercy nor spare anyone. It scorches the skin. [Deputed] over it are nineteen. (74:27-30)

At various places, in the Quran, it has been mentioned that people who deliberately associate partners with God and profess disbelief in Him shall be punished eternally. Similar will be the punishment of a Muslim who kills another Muslim deliberately. People who disobey the laws of inheritance are also promised this doom. This fate will also await those who have committed some similar crimes. No doubt, there will be people who will be taken out of Hell once they complete their term of punishment; however, it is evident from the Quran that in order to punish the previously mentioned criminals, Hell will always be kept intact. In spite of this, it can be expected that one day, Hell too shall cease to exist. The reason for this is that its torment is a threat from the Almighty and not a promise and the Almighty certainly has the right to reduce the punishment of these sinners or turn them into dust and ashes and eternally bury them in Hell:

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي النَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاء رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ (11: 106-107)

Then the damned shall be cast into the Fire; here they will groan and scream like donkeys and shall abide in it as long as the heavens and the earth [of that world] exist unless your Lord ordains otherwise. Indeed, your Lord is able to accomplish what He wants to. (11:106-107)

The Quran also mentions the spiritual and corporal punishments which will be meted out to the sinners in Hell: There will be the punishment of the fire (22:9). This fire will scorch skins (74:29), disfigure faces (23:104), pluck out skins (70:16), reach the hearts (104:6-7) and its flame will be larger than castles (77:32); neither will people die nor receive any comfort in it (35:36; 87:12-13); such boiling water will be given to them for drinking that it will cut their intestines to pieces (47:15); this boiling water will also be poured on their heads (22:19); they will be made to drink the fluid in which wounds are washed (69:36-37; 78:24-25); thorny bushes and the tree of al-zaqqum will be the food they will be given and this tree will boil in their stomachs like the boiling of scalding water (88:6; 44:43-46); it will neither nourish them nor satisfy their hunger (88:7); they will wear garments of fire (22:19), their necks will have yokes and their feet will be in chains (40:71; 76:4); everything will become a yearning for them (19:39). The greatest punishment will be that sinners will not be able to see the Almighty nor receive any attention from Him (83:15). The Almighty will not even like to look at some of them (3:77):

إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًالِلْطَّاغِينَ مَآبًالَابِثِينَ فِيهَا أَحْقَابًالَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًاإِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًاجَزَاءً وِفَاقًاإِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا كِذَّابًاوَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَاهُ كِتَابًافَذُوقُوا فَلَنْ نَزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا(78: 21-30)

Indeed, Hell lurks in ambush, a place for the transgressors. They will abide therein for ages. Nothing cool will they taste therein nor will they have anything to drink save hot water and pus. A recompense according to their deeds. These people are those who did not expect any account [of their deeds] and had recklessly denied Our revelations, [whereas] We have counted all their doings by writing them down. So taste [you O people!] We shall only increase torment for you. (78:21-30)

(Javed Ahmed Ghamidi)

(Translated by Dr. Shehzad Saleem)