DESCRIPTION OF HELL - [13] Reflection and Relief

 

Reflection and Relief

The circumstances of Hell and the condition of the denizens of Hell which you have read above are not meant to be superficially perused and then confined to the shelves of a cabinet and forgotten like ordinary tales and fictitious stories.

In point of fact, the circumstances mentioned above and conditions are a translation from the verses of the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith of  Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ: hence they are perfectly true and authentic. If these are studied repeatedly and an account is taken of sins that we commit, it becomes easy for even a hard-hearted man to change the course of his life. Such a man can convince his soul of the tortures of Hell and thus he can dedicate himself to the performance of virtuous deeds. There is one condition, however, that a person should have firm faith in the Truth of the Lord of the Universe and His Holy  Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ and he should believe that the circumstances of Hell are an indubitable fact. 

The pious people keep on taking account of their lives and solicit the Lord to protect them from Hell. How can it be that a man, who deems the circumstances of Hell to be true, should waste his life in the pleasures of the world and in the pursuit of mortal privilege and riches? ‘The Prophet, Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ has observed: 

‘Hell has been concealed in the pleasures of the world and Paradise lies hidden in the hardships of life.”” 

(Bukhari and Muslim). 

The implication is that those who seek pleasure in life are really treading on a path that leads to Hell; and those whose souls suffer the hardships of life and yet they perform virtuous deeds, they, indeed, shall attain Paradise. Alas! those who put an end to their lives thinking that by so doing they shall get rid of the distress of life and have lost their patience in the face of the hardships and severity of the world exclaim: 

Hath the Lord no room for me even in Hell! Such people are ignorant of the circumstances of Hell, As a matter of fact, if they keep in mind the infernal fire, the snakes, scorpions, garments of fire, modes of torture, and the foods of Hell, the people who hanker after the privileges of the membership of municipalities and legislative assemblies and engross themselves in erecting buildings, properties, and amassing riches, cannot spoil the prospects of their salvation by indulging in great sins.

How can a person, who knows about starvation in Hell, give up fasting? And he who knows about the torments of Hell—can he avoid offering prayers for the sake of a little sleep or temporary rest? He, who is aware of the pain caused by the stings of scorpions and the biting of snakes in Hell, can he ever say that keeping a beard irritates his skin? Those who are aware of grief can they think of worshipping without sincerity? 

And can they draw pictures knowing the tortures of this act in the Hereafter? Those who firmly believe that as punishment for drinking liquor, they will be made to drink the dirty bath water or excretion of the bodies of the denizens of Hell—can they touch liquor? No, certainly not! The fact of the matter is that the conditions of Paradise and Hell though much talked about, are not honestly believed in; otherwise not to speak of major sins, even the committal of minor lapses would be unthinkable to man. 

Saiyiduna  ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه used to say: 

“If Paradise and Hell are placed before me, my faith will be no firmer than it already is; for my faith in then, scen is so strong that to believe on seeing and to slieve without seeing is all one to me. Those who are aware of the conditions of Hell, they would not only shun all sins but also renounce all laughter and happiness of the mortal world."

A tradition incorporated in al-Targhib-o-al-Tarhib states: The Apostle of God (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enquired from Hadrat Gabriel (may Allah be pleased with him) :

"Why is it so that I have never seen a smile on the face of Mika’il (may Allah be pleased with him) ?” 

Saiyiduna Gabriel (may Allah be pleased with him) submitted : 

‘‘Mika’il has not laughed since the creation of Hell” (Ahmad).

A tradition reported in Sahih Muslim relates: “

Prophet  Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ observed: 

“‘‘I swear by the Lord Who hath Power over my life that if you had seen the spectacle which I had witnessed, you would certainly have wept more and laughed even less!” The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) submitted: ‘‘Apostle of God what did you see?” “I beheld Paradise and Hell”, answered the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

 (Targhib). 

Saiyiduna  Abdullah Ibn Mas 'ud رضي الله عنه used to say: ‘I wonder how people laugh when they know it for certain that they will not escape Hell.”” Saiyiduna Abu Sa‘id Al Khudri رضي الله عنه reports: 

Once Prophet  Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ came out of his house and saw people laughing merrily. Upon seeing this, Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ observed: 

“If you had kept death (which puts an end to all pleasures of life) constantly in your thoughts, you would not have found time to create such a scene as I am witnessing now.”

 (Mishkat Al Musabih).

To sum up, only that man is alert and earnest who makes provisions for his eternal life and who does not commit himself to Hell by failing into the snares of transitory wealth, privilege, pomp, and rule. When he shall be put to torture, he will gain no relief by penitence or rubbing his hands in sorrow or saying, ‘‘Alas! Would that death have put an end to everything! My goods, my riches, my regal authority availed me not.” To be indifferent towards seeking the bliss of Paradise and to be negligent of the care of salvation from Hell, which is the home of unparalleled tortures, are the attributes of ignoramus; for Apostle of Allahﷻ, Muhammad Rasulullahﷺ has observed: “Strive as much as you can for the attainment of Paradise and keep as longer a distance from Hell as you can.”