A Description of Hellfire (part 3 of 5)

Its Food and Drink


The intense heat, food, and drink of the people of Hell is described in Islamic religious sources.

Its Heat

God says:

{And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left? (They will be) in scorching fire and scalding water and a shade of black smoke, neither cool nor beneficial.} [Quran 56:41-44]

{وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ ﴿٤١﴾ فِي سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ ﴿٤٢﴾ وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ ﴿٤٣﴾ لَّا بَارِدٍ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ} [الواقعة:41-٤٤]
Transliteration: Wa 'Aşĥābu Ash-Shimāli Mā 'Aşĥābu Ash-Shimāli(41) Fī Samūmin Wa Ĥamīmin(42) Wa Žillin Min Yaĥmūmin(43) Lā Bāridin Wa Lā Karīmin


Everything people use to cool down in this world - air, water, shade - will be useless in Hell. The air of Hell will be hot wind and the water will be boiling. The shade will not be comforting or cooling, the shade in Hell will be the shadow of black smoke as mentioned in the verse:

{And shadow of black smoke.} [Quran 56:43]

{وَظِلٍّ مِّن يَحْمُومٍ} [الواقعة:٤٣]
Transliteration: Wa Žillin Min Yaĥmūmin


In another passage, God says:

{But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, will have his home in a (bottomless) pit. And what will explain to you what this is? (It is) a Fire blazing fiercely.} [Quran 101:8-11]

{وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ ﴿٨﴾ فَأُمُّهُ هَاوِيَةٌ ﴿٩﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا هِيَهْ ﴿١٠﴾ نَارٌ حَامِيَةٌ} [القارعة:8-١١]
Transliteration: Wa 'Ammā Man Khaffat Mawāzīnuhu(8) Fa'ummuhu Hāwiyahun (9) Wa Mā 'Adrāka Mā Hiyah (10) Nārun Ĥāmiyahun


God describes how the shade of Hell's smoke will rise above the Fire. The smoke that rises from Hell will be divided into three columns. Its shade will neither cool nor offer any protection from the raging Fire. The flying sparks will be like huge castles similar to string of marching yellow camels:

{Proceed to a shadow (of smoke) having three columns (but having) no cool shade and availing not against the flame. Indeed, it throws sparks (as huge) as a fortress, as if they were yellow camels (marching swiftly).} [Quran 77:30-33]

{انطَلِقُوا إِلَىٰ ظِلٍّ ذِي ثَلَاثِ شُعَبٍ ﴿٣٠﴾ لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنَ اللَّهَبِ ﴿٣١﴾ إِنَّهَا تَرْمِي بِشَرَرٍ كَالْقَصْرِ ﴿٣٢﴾ كَأَنَّهُ جِمَالَتٌ صُفْرٌ} [المرسلات:30-٣٣]
Transliteration: Anţaliqū 'Ilá Žillin Dhī Thalāthi Shu`abin(30) Lā Žalīlin Wa Lā Yughnī Mina Al-Lahabi(31) 'Innahā Tarmī Bishararin Kālqaşri(32) Ka'annahu Jimālatun Şufrun


The Fire consumes everything, leaving nothing untouched. It burns skin reaching all the way to the bones, melting the contents of the stomach, leaping up to the hearts, and exposing the vital organs. God speaks of the intensity and affect of the Fire:

{I will drive him into Hellfire. And what can make you know what is Hellfire? It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing (unburned), altering the skins.} [Quran 74:26-29]

{سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا سَقَرُ ﴿٢٧﴾ لَا تُبْقِي وَلَا تَذَرُ ﴿٢٨﴾ لَوَّاحَةٌ لِّلْبَشَرِ} [المدثر:26-٢٩]
Transliteration: Sa'uşlīhi Saqara(26) Wa Mā 'Adrāka Mā Saqaru(27) Lā Tubqī Wa Lā Tadharu(28) Lawwāĥatun Lilbashari


The Prophet of Islam said:

«Fire as we know it is one seventieth part of the Fire of Hell. Someone said, 'O Messenger of God, it is enough as it is!' He said, 'It is as if sixty-nine equal portions were added to fire as we know it.'» [Saheeh Al-Bukhari]

The Fire never extinguishes:

{So taste you (the results of your evil deeds). No increase shall We give you except in torment.} [Quran 78:30]

{فَذُوقُوا فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا} [النبأ:٣٠]
Transliteration: Fadhūqū Falan Nazīdakum 'Illā `Adhābāan

{…Whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.} [Quran 17:97]

{... كُلَّمَا خَبَتْ زِدْنَاهُمْ سَعِيرًا} [الإسراء:٩٧]
Transliteration: ... Kullamā Khabat Zidnāhum Sa`īrāan

The torment will never be reduced and the unbelievers will not have any break:

{…Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.} [Quran 2:86]

{... فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ} [البقرة:٨٦]
Transliteration: ... Falā Yukhaffafu `Anhumu Al-`Adhābu Wa Lā Hum Yunşarūna


The Food of its Inhabitants

The food of the people of Hell is described in the Quran. God says:

{No food will there be for them except from a bitter, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.} [Quran 88:6-7]

{لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ ﴿٦﴾ لَّا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِن جُوعٍ} [الغاشية:6-٧]
Transliteration: Laysa Lahum Ţa`āmun 'Illā Min Đarī`in(6) Lā Yusminu Wa Lā Yughnī Min Jū`in


The food will neither nourish nor taste good. It will only serve as a punishment to the people of Hell. In other passages, God describes the tree of zaqqum, a special food of Hell. Zaqqum is a repulsive tree, its roots go deep into the bottom of Hell, its branches stretching all over. Its ugly fruit is like the heads of the devils. He says:

{Indeed, the tree of zaqqum is food for the sinful, like murky oil, it boils within bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.} [Quran 44:43-46]

{إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ الزَّقُّومِ ﴿٤٣﴾ طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ ﴿٤٤﴾ كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ ﴿٤٥﴾ كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ} [الدخان:43-٤٦]


{Is that (Paradise) better as hospitality or the tree of zaqqum? Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers. Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire, its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils. And, indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies. Then, indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water. Then, indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.} [Quran 37:62-68]

{أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ الزَّقُّومِ ﴿٦٢﴾ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٦٣﴾ إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِي أَصْلِ الْجَحِيمِ ﴿٦٤﴾ طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُ رُءُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ ﴿٦٥﴾ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَآكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ ﴿٦٦﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ ﴿٦٧﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى الْجَحِيمِ} [الصافات:62-٦٨]
Transliteration: 'Adhalika Khayrun Nuzulāan 'Am Shajaratu Az-Zaqqūmi(62) 'Innā Ja`alnāhā Fitnatan Lilžžālimīna(63) 'Innahā Shajaratun Takhruju Fī 'Aşli Al-Jaĥīmi(64) Ţal`uhā Ka'annahu Ru'ūsu Ash-Shayāţīni(65) Fa'innahum La'ākilūna Minhā Famāli'ūna Minhā Al-Buţūna(66) Thumma 'Inna Lahum `Alayhā Lashawbāan Min Ĥamīmin(67) Thumma 'Inna Marji`ahum La'ilá Al-Jaĥīmi


{Then indeed you, O those astray (who are) deniers, will be eating from trees of zaqqum 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 hospitality on the Day of Recompense.} [Quran 56:51-56]

{ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا الضَّالُّونَ الْمُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿٥١﴾ لَآكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ ﴿٥٢﴾ فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ ﴿٥٣﴾ فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ ﴿٥٤﴾ فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ ﴿٥٥﴾ هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ} [الواقعة:51-٥٦]
Transliteration: Thumma 'Innakum 'Ayyuhā Ađ-Đāllūna Al-Mukadhdhibūna(51) La'ākilūna Min Shajarin Min Zaqqūmin(52) Famāli'ūna Minhā Al-Buţūna(53) Fashāribūna `Alayhi Mina Al-Ĥamīmi(54) Fashāribūna Shurba Al-Hīmi(55) Hādhā Nuzuluhum Yawma Ad-Dīni

People of Hell will get so hungry that they will eat from the obnoxious tree of zaqqum. When they will fill their bellies with it, it will start to churn like boiling oil causing immense suffering. At that point they will rush to drink extremely hot water. They will drink it like thirsty camels, yet it will never quench their thirst. Rather their internals will be torn. God says:

{…They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).} [Quran 47:15]

{...وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ} [محمد:١٥]
Transliteration: ...Wa Suqū Mā'an Ĥamīmāan Faqaţţa`a 'Am`ā'ahum


The thorny bushes and zaqqum will choke them and stick in their throats because of their foulness:

{Surely, with us are fetters (to bind them) and a ranging Fire (to burn them), and a food that chokes and a penalty grievous.} [Quran 73:12-13]

{إِنَّ لَدَيْنَا أَنكَالًا وَجَحِيمًا ﴿١٢﴾ وَطَعَامًا ذَا غُصَّةٍ وَعَذَابًا أَلِيمًا} [المزمل:12-١٣]
Transliteration: 'Inna Ladaynā 'Ankālāan Wa Jaĥīmāan(12) Wa Ţa`āmāan Dhā Ghuşşatin Wa `Adhābāan 'Alīmāan


The Prophet of Islam said:

«If a drop from zaqqum were to land in this world, the people of earth and all their means of sustenance would rot. So how must it be for one who must eat it?» [Tirmidhi]

Another food served to the people of Hell will be festering puss that oozes out of their skin, the discharge that flows from the private parts of adulterers and the decaying skin and flesh of those being burnt. It is the "juice" of the people of Hell. God says:

{So no friend has he here this Day, nor has he any food except filth from the washing of wounds which none do eat but those in sin.} [Quran 69:35-37]

{فَلَيْسَ لَهُ الْيَوْمَ هَاهُنَا حَمِيمٌ ﴿٣٥﴾ وَلَا طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ غِسْلِينٍ ﴿٣٦﴾ لَّا يَأْكُلُهُ إِلَّا الْخَاطِئُونَ} [الحاقة:35-٣٧]
Transliteration: Falaysa Lahu Al-Yawma Hāhunā Ĥamīmun(35) Wa Lā Ţa`āmun 'Illā Min Ghislīnin(36) Lā Ya'kuluhu 'Illā Al-Khāţi'ūna

{This - so let them taste it - is scalding water and (foul) purulence. And other (punishments) of its type (in various) kinds.} [Quran 38:57-58]

{هَٰذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٌ وَغَسَّاقٌ ﴿٥٧﴾ وَآخَرُ مِن شَكْلِهِ أَزْوَاجٌ} [ص:57-٥٨]
Transliteration: Hādhā Falyadhūqūhu Ĥamīmun Wa Ghassāqun(57) Wa 'Ākharu Min Shaklihi 'Azwājun


Lastly, some sinners will be fed fire from Hell as a punishment. God says:

{Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire.} [Quran 4:10]

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا} [الإسراء:١٠]
Transliteration: 'Inna Al-Ladhīna Ya'kulūna 'Amwāla Al-Yatāmá Žulmāan 'Innamā Ya'kulūna Fī Buţūnihim Nārāan Wa Sayaşlawna Sa`īrāan


{Indeed, they who conceal what God has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price - those consume not into their bellies except the Fire.} [Quran 2:174]

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا النَّارَ} [البقرة:١٧٤]
Transliteration: 'Inna Al-Ladhīna Yaktumūna Mā 'Anzala Allāhu Mina Al-Kitābi Wa Yashtarūna Bihi Thamanāan Qalīlāan 'Ūlā'ika Mā Ya'kulūna Fī Buţūnihim 'Illā An-Nāra


Its Drink

God tells in the Quran about the drink of people of Hell:

{They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).} [Quran 47:15]

{وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ} [محمد:١٥]
Transliteration: Wa Suqū Mā'an Ĥamīmāan Faqaţţa`a 'Am`ā'ahum


{…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]

{... وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ ۚ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا} [الكهف:٢٩]
Transliteration: ... Wa 'In Yastaghīthū Yughāthū Bimā'in Kālmuhli Yashwī Al-Wujūha Bi'sa Ash-Sharābu Wa Sā'at Murtafaqāan


{Before him is Hell, 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]

{مِّن وَرَائِهِ جَهَنَّمُ وَيُسْقَىٰ مِن مَّاءٍ صَدِيدٍ ﴿١٦﴾ يَتَجَرَّعُهُ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُسِيغُهُ وَيَأْتِيهِ الْمَوْتُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمَيِّتٍ ۖ وَمِن وَرَائِهِ عَذَابٌ غَلِيظٌ} [إبراهيم:16-١٧]
Transliteration: Min Warā'ihi Jahannamu Wa Yusqá Min Mā'in Şadīdin(16) Yatajarra`uhu Wa Lā Yakādu Yusīghuhu Wa Ya'tīhi Al-Mawtu Min Kulli Makānin Wa Mā Huwa Bimayyitin Wa Min Warā'ihi `Adhābun Ghalīžun


{A boiling fluid and fluid dark, murky, intensely cold.} [Quran 38:57]

{هَٰذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٌ وَغَسَّاقٌ} [ص:٥٧]
Transliteration: Hādhā Falyadhūqūhu Ĥamīmun Wa Ghassāqun


The types of drink people of Hell will get to drink are as follows:

· Extremely hot water as God says:

{They will go around between it and scalding water, heated (to the utmost degree).} [Quran 55:44]

{يَطُوفُونَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ حَمِيمٍ آنٍ} [الرحمن:٤٤]
Transliteration: Yaţūfūna Baynahā Wa Bayna Ĥamīmin 'Ānin


{They will be given drink from a boiling spring.} [Quran 88:5]

{تُسْقَىٰ مِنْ عَيْنٍ آنِيَةٍ} [الغاشية:٥]
Transliteration: Tusqá Min `Aynin 'Āniyahin


· Flowing puss from the flesh and skin of an unbeliever. The Prophet said:

Anyone who drinks intoxicants will be made to drink the mud of khabal. They asked, 'O « Messenger of God, what is the mud of khabal?' He said, 'The sweat of the people of Hell' or the 'juice of the people of Hell.'» [Saheeh Muslim]

· A drink like boiling oil described by the Prophet as:

«It is like boiling oil, when it is brought near a person's face, the skin of the face falls off into it.» [Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi]


By IslamReligion.com