Page 135 - The Truth of the Life of This World
P. 135
Pleas of Desperation and Hopelessness
The people of hell are in a hopeless state. The torture they undergo is
extremely cruel and never-ending. Their only hope is to cry and beg for
salvation. They see the People of paradise and beg for water and food.
They try to repent and ask forgiveness of Allah. Yet, these are all in vain.
They beg the keepers of hell. They even want them be an intermediate
between them and Allah and ask for mercy. Their pain is so unbearable
that they want to be saved from it for even a single day:
Those in the Fire will say to the keepers of hell: "Pray to your Lord to light-
en us the penalty for a day (at least)!" They will say: "Did there not come to
you your messengers with clear signs?" They will say, "Yes". They will reply,
"Then pray (as you like)! But the prayer of those without faith is nothing but
(futile wandering) in (mazes of) error!" (Surat al-Ghafir: 49-50)
Disbelievers further try to seek forgiveness, but they are strictly turned
down:
They will say:"Our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a
people astray! Our Lord! Bring us out of this: if ever we return (to evil), then
shall we be wrongdoers indeed!" He will say: "A part of My slaves there was,
who used to pray 'our Lord! We believe; then forgive us, and have mercy
upon us: for You are the Best of those who show mercy!' But you treated
them with ridicule, so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget My
Message while you were laughing at them! I have rewarded them this Day
for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved
bliss." (Surat al-Muminun: 106-111)
This is actually the last address of Allah to the people of hell. (Allah
knows best) His words "Be you driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak
not to Me!" are conclusive. One would not even like to think about this sit-
uation.
While the people of hell burn in it, those who attain "happiness and sal-
vation", in other words the believers, remain in paradise enjoying the ben-
efit of endless favours. The suffering of the people of hell becomes more
intense when they see and observe the life of believers in paradise. Indeed,
while being subject to unbearable torture, they can "watch" the magnificent
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