O Brothers and Sisters, We need to realise, and understand, that our purpose in this life is only to worship Allaah as He has commanded, hoping in His Mercy and Reward and fearing His Anger and punishment. Many of us know about the Paradise, we often talk about it, have many good thoughts about it, are amazed with the delights that await therein for the believers, and have much hope in Allaah to attain it. But how many of us think about the Hellfire, a horrifying and severe punishment that awaits the wrong doers and disbelievers.
About this life, Allaah says:
"And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion" [26:77-81]
And Is it not the case today, that so many of us Muslims have given in to following our desires and have turned away from following the true religion of Islaam, deluded by the temporary enjoyment of this world? It is not surprising then, that we find so many of us Muslims openly sinning without regret and remorse, and so many of us not realising that what we are doing is even wrong.
Allaah says in the Quran
"And on the Day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire (they will be asked): "Is this not the truth?" They will say: Yes, by our Lord!(Allaah) will say: Then taste the Punishment, because you disbelieved." [al-Ahqaf:34]
So now what if we knew the consequences for the wrong that we do, the punishment of Allaah for those who do wrong and disbelieve in Allaah? Often we will find that, when people fear something, or know the consequences of doing something wrong, they think twice about doing it.
Allaah (SWT) says in the Quran:
"O You who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are set angels, ruthless, violent. Who do not flinch (from executing) the commands of Allaah, but do so (precisely) what they are commanded." [at-Tahreem:6]
And He warns us of the Fire, when He says:
"Therefore I have warned you of the Flaming Fire" [92:14]
We all know there are many warnings in Islaam about Allaah's punishment. And we should also know, that whilst we are still alive, we have the opportunity to change for the better, to obey Allaah and worship Him as He deserves to be worshipped, before the appointed time arrives, before death comes to us, after which, there will be no more chances to do good, or to repent for our sins.
Allaah has Promised in the Quran, whether you are ready for it or not, that:
"Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned" [21:35]
and He the Most High also says:
"O You who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah; whoever does that, they are the losers. And spend of that which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says. "My Lord! If only You would defer me for a little while, then I should give sadaqah and be among the righteous." But Allaah defers no soul when its appointed term arrives. Allaah is well acquainted with all that you do" [63:9-11]
So brothers and sisters, what will tell you what the Fire of Hell is and what awaits therein for those whose good deeds are not enough when the death comes to them, and for those who disbelieved? Allaah the Most High describes it with a description that is so powerful, so eloquent and fear-inspiring so as to render fear into one's heart and make one's flesh creep, and to give one insight into it.
The Fire of Hell is a place where one part of it consumes others, a canopy, all enveloping, similar to a confinement in a large tent with walls covering everything. In it people will burn, an evil resting place. In it is boiling water and a bitter cold drink. (Those already in the Fire will say): No word of welcome for them. Indeed, they will roast in the Fire [38:53-59]
Wallaahi O Muslims, the Fire will throw up sparks (huge) as castles [77:32].
And Allaah says about the people therein:
"Sighing and wailing will be there portion there, abiding there so long as the heavens and earth endure save that which your Lord wills, Indeed! Your Lord is doer of what He wills. [11:106-107]
Allaah says:
"Indeed We have prepared for Unbelievers chains and neck irons and a raging Fire" [76:4]
"When the irons are around their necks, and chains, they are dragged through boiling waters; therein they are thrust into the Fire" [40:71-72]
"(It will be said): Seize him and chain him, and burn him in Hellfire.
And then march him in a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits." [69:30-32]
Allaah says about those who deny:
"Leave me to deal with the deniers, lords of ease and comfort (in this life); and bear with them for a while. Indeed with us are heavy chains and a raging fire; And food that chokes and a painful doom." [73:13]
And what will they eat? These inhabitants of the Fire?
"Indeed the tree of zaqqoom, the food of the sinner! Like molten brass it will boil in their insides, like the boiling of scalding water.(A voice will say): Take him and drag him into the midst of Hell, then pour over his head the torment of boiling water (Saying): Taste! Truly you were mighty, noble!" [44:43-49]
And you should know O Muslims, that if one drop of this zaqqoom was dropped onto the earth, it would destroy it, so imagine having it as a source of food in the Hellfire!
So, Brothers and Sisters, know that the Messengers of Allaah commanded people to worship Allaah alone, to focus only on Him, to put their trust only in Him, but to obey Him and them. Shaytaan led the Christians and others astray, so that they associated partners with Allaah and disobeyed His messenger. They took their priests and anchorites, and the Messiah son of Maryam, as lords instead of Allaah, and started to turn to them and put their trust in them, asking them for things whilst disobeying their commandments and going against their examples. Allaah guided the believers who are sincere towards Him, the followers of the Straight Path, who know the truth and follow it, so they are not those whose portion is wrath or those who go astray.
So they submitted sincerely to Allaah and turned to their Lord, loving Him, putting their hope in Him, fearing Him and asking from Him, focusing all their attention on Him and delegating all their affairs to Him, putting their trust in Him, and they obeyed and honoured His Messengers, taking them as their friends, following them and adhering to their teachings and guidance.
This is the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent all his Messengers, earlier and later alike. And Know, O Brothers and Sisters, that this is the only religion which Allaah will accept, and it is true worship of the Lord of the Worlds.
We ask Allaah Almighty to help us to be steadfast and perfect in following His religion, and to cause us and all our Muslims brothers and sisters to die in a state of Islaam.