The Death of the People of Hell
- Categories: Aqeedah (Islamic Faith) -
Q: Will anyone
die in Hell? Is there any saheeh hadeeth to that effect or not? If
it is true, then what is the nature of this death, and to whom will
it happen?
A: It
was reported in Saheeh Muslim that Aboo Sa'eed al-Khudree (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «As for the people of Hell, they are its
inhabitants, and they neither live therein nor die. But there are
people who will enter Hell because of their sins - or mistakes - so
Allaah will cause them to die once, then when they become like
coal, He will give permission for intercession (for them). They
will be brought group by group to the rivers of Paradise. Then it
will be said: "O people of Paradise! Pour water on them." Then they
will grow like seeds (i.e., the seeds of herbs and aromatic plants,
or it was said, small plants that grow in between grasses, or it
may mean wheat)»"
The scholars said: "What is meant by the people of Hell are its
kaafir inhabitants, who will never come out of it and never die at
all.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allaah), for them will
be the Fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect
on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for
them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!" [Faatir 35:36].
{وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ نَارُ
جَهَنَّمَ لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ
عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي كُلَّ
كَفُورٍ}
Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Lahum Nāru Jahannama Lā
Yuqđá `Alayhim Fayamūtū Wa Lā Yukhaffafu `Anhum Min
`Adhābihā Kadhālika Najzī Kulla Kafūrin
As for the sinners among those who believe in the Oneness of
Allaah, those who have committed major sins (kabaa'ir), they will
be punished in accordance with the degree of their sins for a
period decreed by Allaah, then they will die a lesser death such
that they no longer feel anything, for a period decreed by Allaah.
Then they will be brought out dead, turned into coals and carried
like luggage, and they will be thrown into the rivers of Paradise
and the water of life will be poured over them. Then they will
grow, like wheat at first, but quickly, like herbs. Then they will
get stronger and be fully formed, and will be taken to their homes
in Paradise. And Allaah knows best.
Imaam Aboo Zakariyyaa Yahyaa Ibn
Sharaf an-Nawawee rahimahullaah
From Fatawaa al-Imaam an-Nawawee, (p. 84)