The Intercession and Praised Station of the Prophet

Intercession is a mercy from Allah The Almighty that He endowed upon His servants on the Day of Resurrection – the Day with scorching heat and sheer horror when man will flee from those who are close or distant. This is the Day when all people from Aadam (Adam), may Allah exalt his mention, until the last person on Earth will assemble in one place for judgment which will be either in their favor or otherwise. There will be no distinction between the young or the old, the black or the white, or sovereigns or subjects. All of them will be equal during the long stand while waiting to be reckoned by Allah The Almighty.

While people are waiting for reckoning and judgment, totally exhausted, distressed and worried, with the sun very close over their heads and their bodies pouring with sweat in a predicament that they have never experienced before, all of them will be seeking salvation. Therefore, they will search for anyone to intercede for them with Allah The Almighty, the Sovereign and the Compeller, for judgment.

When their standing becomes unbearably long, they will approach the Prophets for intercession.

The Mercy of Allah The Almighty will then unfold when He permits His final Messenger to intercede for all people on that day, believers and disbelievers. After the prophets will have excused themselves due to their inability to undertake the task, the Prophet Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), will say: “I am for it, I am for it,”and then prostrate under the Throne1] praising and supplicating Allah The Almighty. Then Allah The Almighty will say to his Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ): “Ask, for you will be granted what you ask for and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.”

In a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “People will approach me and say: 'O Muhammad! You are the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets, and Allah has forgiven your earlier and latter sins. [Please] intercede for us with your Lord. Can you not see what state we are in?'”The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) added:“Then I will go beneath the Throne and fall into prostration before my Lord. Allah will then guide me to such praises and glorification to Him as He has never guided anybody else before me. After this, it will be said: 'O Muhammad! Raise your head. Ask, and you will be granted [your request]. Intercede, and [your intercession] will be accepted.'" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The intercession of Prophet Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), will be greatest on the Day of Resurrection. It is exclusive to him as an honor from Allah The Almighty, and it is also the Praised Station that Allah The Almighty promised him in the verse that Says (what means): {It is expected that your Lord Will Resurrect you to a praised station.} [Quran 17:79]

Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said, "On the Day of Resurrection, people will fall on their knees, and every nation will follow their Prophet and say: 'O so-and-so! Intercede [for us with Allah]'. They will continue until they reach the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and ask for his intercession, that will be the day when Allah will resurrect him to the Praised Station."[Al-Bukhari]

Another Divine favor exclusive to the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), is his intercession for opening the gate of Paradise. This is confirmed in the Hadeeth, which says: “I shall be the first intercessor in Paradise.” [Muslim]

Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection seeking its opening. The gate-keeper will say,'Who are you?' I will reply, 'Muhammad.' He will then say, 'I have been ordered not to open for anyone before you.’” [Muslim]

Another Divine favor exclusive to the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), is his intercession to alleviate the torment of his uncle, Abu Taalib. Al-‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) "Messenger of Allah, have you benefited your uncle Abu Taalib in any way, for he protected and defended you?” The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said:“Were it not for me, he would have been in the lowest level of Hell, but he will only suffer a shallow fire that will reach up to his ankles.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] 

On his part, the Muslim has to pursue the means that will lead to the intercession of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), for him. The greatest means is to perfect belief in the Oneness of Allah The Almighty. It is narrated that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The most fortunate of people to receive my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from his heart: 'Laa Ilaaha Illaallaah' [there is none worthy of worship except Allah].”[Al-Bukhari]

One of the causes for receiving the intercession of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), is supplicating Allah The Almighty for him that he be granted the Praised Station. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever says upon hearing the Athaan: ‘Allahumma Rabba Haathihid-Da‘wah At-Taammah Was-Salaatil Qaa'imah, Aati Muhammad Al-Waseelata Wal-Fadheelah, Wab‘ath-hu Maqaaman Mahmoodan Allaathi Wa‘adt-hu.’ [O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (of not ascribing partners to You) and of the current prayer which is about to be performed. Please grant Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) Al-Waseelah (the highest degree in Paradise) and Al-Fadheelah (superiority over people), and resurrect him to the Praised Station which You promised him] -  then he will be worthy of my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.” [Al-Bukhari]

A Muslim can also receive the intercession of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), if he invokes the blessings of Allah The Almighty on him ten times in the mornings and ten times in the evening. Abud-Dardaa', may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever invokes the blessings of Allah The Almighty on me ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening, will receive my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.” [At-Tabaraani, Al-Albaani:Hasan] This is why we should observe this mentioning, hoping that we will receive the intercession of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), on the Day of Resurrection.

[1]-We believe in the Attributes of Allah that occur in the Quran and authentic Hadeeths of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) without distorting their wordings or meanings, nor denying, nor asking how, nor drawing resemblance between Allah and any of His creation.

The Hellfire as Described by Muhammad

Just as Allah has warned in His Book about the Hellfire and has informed us about the different types of punishments it will have, there are also many prophetic narrations stated by Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) describing and addressing the Hellfire.

But before we start stating these narrations, let us ponder upon the following narration to realize the seriousness of the matter:

Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Among the inmates of Hell will be a person who had led a very luxurious life in this world will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in the Hellfire, he will then be asked: `O son of Aadam! Did you ever experience any comfort? Did you (ever) happen to have any luxury?' He will reply: `I swear by Allah, no my Lord.' … ”” [Muslim] This means that the dwellers of the Hellfire will completely forget any pleasures they enjoyed in this life, and all it took is one single dip.

Now let us read more of the saying of Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) to learn more about what one will be rescued from by believing and adhering to the message of Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ).

•        Its bridles: Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Hell will be brought on that Day (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) with seventy bridles; and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels, pulling it.”” [Muslim]

•        Its hotness: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Your fire (in this world) is a part of the seventy parts of the fire of Hell”, (meaning in its heat). It was said: 'O Messenger of Allah! It would have been enough, (meaning, if it was only as hot as the fire in this world, then that would have been enough as a deterrent).' He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “It was increased sixty-nine times (or multiples), each multiple being of the same (degree) of heat.”" [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

•        Its depth: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “We were once in the company of the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) when we heard a loud bang. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) asked: “Do you know what this (sound) is?” We replied: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “It is a stone which was thrown into Hell seventy years ago, and has only now reached its bottom.”” [Muslim]

•        Its trees: Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “If a drop from the tree of Zaqqoom (i.e., a tree of Hell) were to fall onto this world, it would (pollute and) destroy the lives of all the people of this world.” [An-Nasaa’i & At-Tirmithi]

•        Its least punishment: An-Nu’maan ibn Al-Basheer, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The least in punishment among the people of Hellfire is one whose sandals or shoelaces will be of fire, which will make his brain boil as a pot of water boils. He will not think that there is anyone being punished more than him, but in fact, he will be the least in punishment.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

What its inhabitants drink: Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Allah has taken a pledge upon Himself to make everyone who consumes intoxicants drink from Teenatul-Khabaal.” He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was asked: `O Messenger of Allah! What is Teenatul-Khabaal?' He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) replied: “It is (a liquid) made of the sweat and pus of the dwellers of Hell.”” [Muslim]

•        The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said that those who are destined to be among its inhabitants will become very thirst on the Day of Resurrection and will request to drink and they will be told: “`Come along,' until they reach Hell, which will be destroying itself, (i.e., some parts of it will eat up others due to its intense heat) and they will be thrown into it.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. What do you think the condition will be of those who stood for fifty thousand years without eating or drinking (awaiting accountability after being resurrected), until they almost died of thirst and their stomachs burnt from hunger, and who were then taken to Hell and given boiling drinks in red hot pots to drink?

It is an abode in which its dwellers are deprived of joy; their faces are dark; they are beaten with hooks that are stronger than steel; upon it are angels who are harsh and tough. The inhabitants of Hell will be lying on fire and drinking boiling water; they will be continuously in grief; they will never leave Hell because it will be their eternal abode; they will cry for having wasted their youth; their crying will be continuous and increasing; their Creator is angered by them; they will be exposed in front of others; what they collected in life will not benefit them; they will see the evil consequences of their sins; life will seem as if it was a dream to them; their bodies will burn, but whenever they are burnt out, they will be returned to their original form in order for them to taste more torture.

It is the dwelling of humiliation and disgrace, punishment and betrayal. The dwelling of violent exhaling and inhaling, weeping and crying, a dwelling whose people are people of misery and sorrow, and regret, and cries; chains gather and collect between their hands and necks. Fire flares from under them and from on top of them. Their drink is scalding water, by which the insides of their bellies and their skins melt. Their food is fruits from the tree of Zaqqoom; like murky oil, it boils within their bellies like the boiling of scalding water. They curse themselves and invoke against themselves that they die, but there are not responded to. They ask the Lord to get them out but He will not even talk to them. They will be dragged into it on their faces, screaming and weeping.

Nonetheless, if one believes and adheres to the teachings with which Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) came, will be rescued from all its torments and agonies and will enjoy an eternal bliss in Paradise.

Paradise as described by Muhammad

In Paradise, there will be fruits of every kind, two by two. There are two other gardens that contain fruits, dates, and pomegranates. The fruits, dates, and pomegranates will not be similar to those found in the worldly life. Rather, they will be different in nature, though similar in names. The bunches of fruit in the Garden will hang low in humility. A dweller in Paradise can attain them easily, whether standing up, sitting down, or reclining. Whenever he plucks a piece of fruit, another one grows immediately. Every time the dwellers of Paradise are fed with fruits there from, they say: Why, this is what we were fed with before for they are given things to the likeness in color and form, but different in taste. They will have therein their sustenance morning and evening. In Paradise, they can call for every kind of fruit in peace, safe and secure from senility, illness, any kind of fear, any diminishment or end to their bliss.

They will dwell there for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a continuous gift without end.

In Paradise, there are rivers of incorruptible (not able to pollute) water; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink -- a wine that does not cause headaches or intoxication or befog mind; and rivers of honey pure and clear rivers will flow with out river banks, nor edges to hold it in.

Surrounding the dwellers of Paradise there will be youths of perpetual freshness serving them. If one were to see them, he would think they were scattered pearls. They will pass them a cup from a clear-flowing fountain, crystal-white, having a delicious taste to those who drink. They will drink from vessels of silver and goblets of clear crystal made of silver. They will determine the amount (of drink) according to their wishes. A dweller of Paradise will have an appetite one hundred times stronger than his appetite in the worldly life in order to enjoy all kinds of food and drink. The food will then be excreted in the form of a belch and sweet-smelling perspiration. They will never urinate or defecate, nor will they need to blow their noses. They will have, in this Garden of Bliss, companions pure of menstruation, puerperal blood, urine and all kinds of impurities. They and their companions will be in groves of cool shade, reclining on thrones of dignity. Every fruit will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call for. Salaam (Peace!) will be the word of salutation from their Lord, the Most Merciful! Allah has created their companions of a special creation and made them virgins - pure and undefiled. Whenever a man cohabits with his wife, she becomes virgin again. They will have a loving nature, seeking the pleasure of their husbands. They will be equal in age.

Let us enjoy some prophetic narration that address the description of Paradise, to see the bliss one would enjoy when believing and adhering to the message of Muhammad, $.

Its soil: The structure of the dwellings is an astonishing thing, Its earth is of two types: musk and saffron, as the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) stated: “…one brick of gold and another of silver, and these bricks are joint together with musk which boasts a strong scent. The stones on the ground are of hollow pearls and corundum, and its soil is saffron.”  Moreover, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) related: “While I was walking in Paradise, I came across a river with domes on both banks made of hollow pearls, so I asked Jibreel: ‘What is this stream?’ He answered: ‘It is Al-Kawthar, which is a river that Allah has conferred to you’; subsequently, he struck its soil with his hand and grasped a handful of it, which was made of musk.”

Its plants: As for its plants, Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, recounted: “While the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was preaching one day, a Bedouin was present when he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘There was a man in Paradise who sought permission from Allah to plant a tree in Paradise, so Allah asked him, ‘Is there not everything that you covet in Paradise?’ The man answered: ‘Yes, but I like to sow.” Allah granted him leave, so he rushed to plant the seed; then, he watched to see what happens and within the blink of an eye, the seed grew into a huge tree with fruits as big as a mountain. Thereupon, Allah said: ‘O son of Adam! Nothing satisfies you.’ So, the Bedouin said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! This must be a man either from Quraysh or Al-Ansaar (i.e., residents of Madeenah) because they are farmers who like to plant, but we Bedouins do not.’ At that, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) started to laugh.” (Al-Bukhari).

Its dwelling: Another marvelous element in Paradise is its dwelling; there will be tents, but not crafted out of cloth, rather they are built with hollow pearls. What is the size of the largest pearl in this world? Now, listen to what the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, regarding the pearls of Paradise and compare them to those in this life: “The believer will possess a tent in Paradise made of a hollow pearl, which is sixty miles high; the tent will contain his wives (from the ladies of Paradise) in each of its corners with whom he will have intercourse, but none of them will see the other and no one else (except him) can see them.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).

Its women: The spouses in Paradise will be clean of stool, spit, menstrual blood and all types of impurity, and they will never age. Allah has purified them and made them as pure as pearls. They are young, beautiful and white women, with very dark black, wide eyes and soft and clear skin. They will only gaze at their partners in Paradise and will be like corundum. They will never have been touched by men or Jinn before and would be virgins, who are loving and compassionate; they will all be similarly young and have full, round breasts. (Bukhaari). If one of them were to look upon earth, she will illuminate what is between the Paradises and the earth, and her head cover is better than this world and what it contains. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) also told us that each man will have two Hoors (i.e., women of Paradise), upon each of whom, there will be seventy garments. Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The wives of the dwellers of Paradise will sing for their husbands in the best tones, whose similitude no one has ever heard before…”; some of the words they will sing are: “We are the beautiful ones, the wives of the honorable men; we are the eternal women, who never pass away….” This is the compensation of refraining from listening to songs and music during this life.

The energy of its inhabitants: Zayd ibn Al-Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that a man from the People of the Book (specifically, a Jew) came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and said, “O Abu Al-Qaasim! You claim that the dwellers of Paradise eat and drink.” He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) replied, “Indeed! I swear by The One in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, each one of them will be given the strength and ability of one hundred men in eating, drinking and performing sexual relations.” So, the Jew said: “The one who eats and drinks has need of passing stool and urinating, while Paradise will not have anything of the sort, so how do you explain that?” He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Their need will be fulfilled by means of such sweat that smells like musk and results in their stomachs shrinking.” This is how they answer the call of nature; and, as soon as they sweat, they return to eating and drinking once more, which they continue to do in delight.

Its jewelry: Men who are forbidden from wearing jewelry in this life, will enjoy wearing it in Paradise. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “If the bracelet of a man from the dwellers of Paradise were to appear in this world, its luster will overwhelm the radiance of the sun, as the sun suppresses the light of the stars when it rises.”

Its foods and drinks: Furthermore, Paradise has wonderful foods and drinks, such as barbecued fowl-meat, and, in reality, all the food that its dwellers will desire. The birds of Paradise will be remarkable too, as the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, while describing the river of Al-Kawthar: “It is a river that my Lord has granted me, which is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and over which birds fly as huge as camels.” Upon hearing this, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, observed: “Indeed, that is a great reward”, whereupon, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) replied: “Eating them, is a greater bounty.”

In Paradise, there will be there all that the souls could desire, all in which the eyes can delight. They shall abide therein forever. No change will they wish for themselves. They will never be asked to leave. A caller will cry out: “You shall be healthy and will never fall sick; you shall be alive and will never die; you shall be of youthful age and will never grow old.” This is the outcome of adhering to the message of Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) … So you decide for yourself!

The Hellfire as Described in the Quran

  Allah has warned us in His Book about the Hellfire and has informed us about the different types of punishments it will have, to the extent that one's heart splits due to fear. Allah has informed us about its torment due to His mercy, so that we would therefore fear and avoid it.

Read attentively the verses in the Book of Allah that address the description of the Hellfire, perhaps it will be a reminder for you; perhaps they will cause you to repent before it is too late - before punishment strikes suddenly and you find nobody to support or aid you; perhaps they will make you realise the great success you will attain by following this message delivered by this great man.

Its chains: The Hellfire contains chains, as Allah says (what means): "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze."[Quran 76: 4]

Allah also says (what means): "…Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place."[Quran 18: 29]

Allah also says (what means): "And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say: 'Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?' They will say: 'Yes, but the word [i.e. decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.'"[Quran 39: 71]

Allah also says (what means): "And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them: ‘Did there not come to you a warner?'"[Quran 67: 6-8]

 Directions from which punishment comes: In the Hellfire, punishment will be from all directions; Allah says (what means): "On the Day the punishment will cover them from above them and from below their feet and it is said, 'Taste [the result of] what you used to do.'"[Quran 29: 55]

Allah also says (what means):“in scorching fire and scalding water. And a shade of black smoke; Neither cool nor beneficial."[Quran 56: 41-44]

Forms of punishment: One form of punishment in the Hellfire is that people will be dragged on their faces in it, as Allah says (what means): "Indeed, the criminals are in error and madness. The Day they are dragged into the Fire on their faces [it will be said], 'Taste the touch of Saqar (i.e., Hell).'"[Quran 54: 47-48]

Its fuel: People are the fuel by which the Hellfire is heated and flamed; Allah says (what means): "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded."[Quran 66: 6]

Allah also says (what means): "Indeed, it throws sparks [as huge] as a fortress, As if they were yellowish [black] camels"[Quran 77: 32-33]

People’s clothes therein: In the Hellfire, people’s clothes will be made of fire; Allah says (what means): "And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles. Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by the Fire."[Quran 14: 49-50]

People’s drink and food therein: Regarding people’s drink and food in Hell,Allah says (what means): "Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers, Will be eating from trees of Zaqqoom. And filling with it your bellies. And drinking on top of it from scalding water. And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels. That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense."[Quran 56: 51-56]

Allah also says (what means): "…And he will be given a drink of purulent water. He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it. And death will come to him from everywhere, but he is not to die. And before him is a massive punishment."[Quran 14: 16-17]

The duration of punishment: The punishment in the Hellfire is continuous; Allah says (what means): "Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses — We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise."[Quran 4: 56]

  Allah also says (what means): “Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally. It will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair. And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.”[Quran 43: 74-76]

The punishment of Hell will be so sever that people will ask to be put to death so they can rest and escape from this punishment, but never will they die, and they will abide in this painful chastisement forever. Allah says (what means): "And they will call, 'O Maalik! Let your Lord put an end to us!' He will say, 'Indeed, you will remain'".[Quran 43: 77]

Allah also says (what means): "And for those who disbelieve will be the fire of Hell. (Death) is not decreed for them, so they may die, nor will its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We recompense every ungrateful one."[Quran 35: 36]

They will ask for the punishment and torment to be lightened, even if it were for one day, so that they can rest. But they will not be responded to and the torment will not be lightened. Allah says (what means): "And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, 'Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment.' They will say, 'Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?' They will say, 'Yes.' They will reply, 'Then supplicate (yourselves), but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error (i.e. futility)."[Quran 40: 49-50]

One should reflect and see how to escape such a terrifying abode?