5.Heat of Hell

Allah subhaana wa ta’aala says: “And those on the Left Hand Who will be those on the Left Hand? In fierce hot wind and boiling water, And shadow of black smoke, (That shadow) neither cool, nor (even) good.” (56:41-44) Water, breeze and shade are three ways to cool ourselves from heat. The people of hell have these three options. Hameem is air that is very dry and scorching hot; that is the breeze they will get. Instead of a cooling wind, it’s a burning wind. Riyaah as-samoom is a wind that comes in Arabia from the north, and it crosses the desert and loses all of the humidity. Allah says the people of hell will have the same kind of wind – dry, scorching wind. Hameem is boiling water. Shade will be in dark clouds of black smoke; it will choke them from the dryness and the smell.

Allah says: “And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! Burning the skins!” (74:27-29)

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as saying: “The fire which sons of Adam burn is only one-seventieth part of the Fire of Hell.” His Companions said: “By Allah, even ordinary fire would have been enough (to burn people).” Thereupon he said: “It is sixty-nine parts in excess of (the heat of) fire in this world each of them being equivalent to their heat.” [Muslim, 40/6811]

The worst news that the people of hell fire will hear is mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah says: “So taste you (the results of your evil actions); no increase shall We give you, except in torment.” (78:30)

The people of hell will complain about their punishment and the answer will be that every day the punishment will become more severe. So they are not getting accustomed to it; their situation is not improving. Imagine this happening for eternity. I think that this ayah is sufficient for us to fear the risk of the consequences of hell.