Page 110 - World Religions I - Islam

Study Section 13: Islamic Ideologies - continued

13.1 Connect

Muslims believe in Hell, Satan, and his angels (evil Jinn). But their beliefs about these subjects differ
considerably from those taught in the Bible. Muslims believe that the vast majority of people will be
going to hell (99.9%) which not only includes infidels (unbelievers in Islam) but also the vast majority of
Muslim people. According to their teaching, only six million Muslims will be going to heaven who are
alive today. That means over 194 million Muslims will also be destined for Hell!. Muslims have no
secure hope of Heaven. Even if they follow the five pillars with careful daily observances, they still do not know
their eternal destiny. The only guarantee a Muslim has of eternal life in heaven is if he dies in Jihad (giving his life
for Allah).

According to Islamic teaching, God exercises complete authority over the course of events. He has predetermined
human destiny yet justly holds individuals accountable for their choices in life. Immune to special pleading, God, in
his mercy, reserves the power to save those whom he wills and to look favorably upon those for whom the
Prophet Muhammad intercedes. He created hell, with its seven ordered gates, for a deep purpose but has fixed a
limit to the suffering of believers who have sinned. Many Muslims believe that after suffering for a while in Hell,
they will later be forgiven and move to Paradise. For unbelievers, who refuse to acknowledge their Creator, there is
no hope of final redemption from the fire. Let’s learn more about these basic beliefs….

13.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain Islam’s views regarding Hell and eternal punishment.

2. The student should be able to describe what Jinn are and how they effect a person’s life.

3. The student should be able to describe Islam’s view of who Satan is and why he is significant in one’s
life.

13.3 Hell

Hell is referenced in the Qur'an by a variety of names, including An- Nar ("The Fire"), Jahannam ("Gehenna"), Al-
Jahim ("Burning"), As- Saqar ("Scorching Fire"), and Al-Hawiyah ("Abyss").

• The imagery of Hell and the punishment for unbelievers is one of the most important themes in the Qur'an.
o The Qur'an contains over 220 verses dealing with the topic of Hell.
• Muslims believe that Hell is a temporary place of punishment for some, while eternal for others.
o Forgiveness for sinful believers could take place after a sojourn in Hell, after which all the non-
conformities have been "burned away".
 "Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye
have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is
triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion." - Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:185
 "The Prophet said, 'Some people who will be scorched by Hell (Fire) as a punishment for sins they
have committed, and then Allah will admit them into Paradise by the grant of His Mercy. These
people will be called, 'Al- JahannamiyyLin' (the people of Hell).'" - Al-Bukhari 9:93:542 See also Surah
109