Page 129 - The Truth of the Life of This World
P. 129
them as one’s sole purpose in life. People with this mindset are unaware
of the big threat ahead of them.
In fact, hell is more real than this world. The world will cease to exist
after some time, but hell will remain for all eternity. Allah, the Creator of
the universe and the world and all the delicate balances in nature, has like-
wise created the hereafter, paradise and hell. A grievous punishment is
promised to all disbelievers and hypocrites:
Enough for them is Hell: In it they will burn, and evil is that destination.
(Surat al-Mujadilah: 8)
Hell, the worst place that can ever be imagined, is a source of the sheer-
est torture. This torture and pain is not similar to any kind of pain in this
world. It is much more intense than any pain or misery one can ever face
in this world. It is surely the work of Allah, the Exalted in Wisdom.
This torture will be timeless and eternal for unbelievers. The majority of
people in this ignorant society assume that they will "serve their sentence"
in hell for a certain period and that then they will be forgiven. They assume
that they can indulge in worldly pleasures as much as possible. According
to the same belief, they will attain paradise after receiving punishment in
hell for a while. However, Allah informs us in the Qur’an that hell is sure-
ly a place of everlasting torment. The following verse makes this fact
explicit: "They will dwell therein for ages." (Surat an-Naba: 23)
Being ungrateful and rebellious to the Creator who "gave hearing and
sight and intelligence and affections" (Surat an-Nahl 78) certainly deserves
unceasing suffering, except as Allah wills. The excuses one puts forth will
not save one from hell. The verdict given for those who display indiffer-
ence – or worse, animosity – to the religion of his Creator is certain and
invariable. In the world, they were arrogant and avoided submitting to
Almighty Allah. They were also bitter enemies of true believers. On the day
of judgement, they will hear the following:
So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the abode of
the arrogant. (Surat an-Nahl: 29)
The most fearsome characteristic of hell is its eternal nature. Once in
hell, there will be no return. The only reality is hell together with many
The Truth of the Life of This World 127