The Intensity of Its Heat and the Vastness of Its Smoke and Sparks

 

The Intensity of Its Heat and the Vastness of Its Smoke and
Sparks

 
Allah (swt)
says:

 

"And those on the left hand - who will be those on the Left
Hand? In fierce hot wind and boiling water. And shadow of black smoke,
[that shadow] neither cool, nor [even] good". (56:41-44)

This aayah includes all of the things that people avail
themselves of in this world when it is too hot; these three things are:
water, air and shade. But the aayah states that these three things will be
of no help whatsoever to the people of Hell. The air of Hell is al-Sumoom,
which is an intensely hot wind; its water is al-Hameem, boiling water; its
shade is al-Yahmoom, which is a part of the smoke of Hell. (at-Takhweef
min an-Naar, p.85)

Just as this aayah emphasises the horrifying position of those
on the Left Hand, who are the people of Hell, another aayah emphasises the
horror of Hell itself. Allah (swt) says:

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

The shade referred to in the aayah "and the shadow of black
smoke" (56:43) is the shade cast by the smoke of Hell. Shade usually
makes one feel cool and comfortable, and people love to feel it, but this
shade [in Hell] will neither be cool nor pleasant; it is the shadow of
black smoke.

The Qur'an tells us that this shade is the smoke of Hell which
rises above the Fire:

""Depart you to a shadow [of smoke ascending] in three
columns, [which yields] no shade of coolness and is of no use against the
Fierce Blaze". Indeed! It [Hell] throws about sparks [huge] as forts, as
if there were [a string of] yellow camels [marching swiftly]."
(77:30-33)

This aayah states that the smoke that rises from Hell is so
great that it is divided into three columns. It gives shade, but it is not
cooling and it offers no protection from the Raging Fire. The sparks that
fly from this Fire are like huge castles, and they are likened to yellow
or black camels.

Allah (swt) explained how strong this Fire is, and how it
affects the tormented:

"Soon I will cast him into Hellfire. And what will explain
to you exactly what Hellfire is? Naught does it permit to endure, and
naught does it leave alone! Darkening and changing the colour of man!"
(74:26-29)

The Fire consumes all, destroying everything and leaving
nothing untouched. It burns skin, reaching to the bone, melting the
contents of the stomach and exposing what is innermost.

The Prophet (saw) told us: "Fire as we know it is
one-seventieth part of the Fire of Hell." Someone said, "O Messenger of
Allah (saw), it is enough as it is!" He said, "It [the fire
of Hell] is as if sixty nine equal portions were added to the fire as we
know it." (al-Bukhaari)

This Fire never dies down, no matter how much time
passes:

"So taste you [the results of your evil actions]; no
increase shall We give you, except in torment". (78:30)

"...whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the
fierceness of the Fire". (17:97)

The disbelievers will not taste the luxury of respite, and the
torment will not be lessened for them no matter how long it
lasts:

"Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be
helped". (2:86)

The Fire is rekindled every day as is stated in the hadith
reported by Muslim from 'Amr ibn 'Absah (ra) who said:

"The Prophet (saw) said, "Pray salaat as-subh (the early
morning prayer) then stop praying when the sun is rising until it is fully
up, for it rises between the horns of Shaytaan and the disbelievers
prostrate to the sun at that time. Then pray, for the prayer is witnessed
(by the angels) until the shadow becomes the length of a lance. Then cease
prayer, for at that time Hell is heated up. Then when the shadow moves
forward, pray.."

al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the
Prophet said, "When it becomes very hot, wait until it cools down to
pray, because the intense heat is a breeze from Hell".

The Fire of Hell will be further refuelled on the Day of
Resurrection when it receives its inhabitants:

"And when Hellfire shall be kindled to a fierce blaze, and
when Paradise shall be brought near". (81:12-13)