LETTER 99: HELL

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate!

Dear Brother Shamsuddin, you were told: Fire is where all will end up (Q19:71). Then the following verse was revealed: Those who live lives of abstinence will be saved (Q19:72). We are certainly heading toward hell, but there is doubt as to whether we are heading toward heaven or not. Take this opportunity now of looking at, and reflecting over, the valleys of hell and its various partitions, as described by the Prophet. There are seventy thousand valleys in hell. In each valley there are seventy thousand caverns. In each of these there are seventy thousand snakes and scorpions. There will be no end to the torments of the infidels and the hypocrites until they have passed by them all. It is also related that he said: We seek God's protection from the pit and valleys of sorrow. The Apostle was asked what the pits and valleys of sorrow were. He said: There is a valley in hell from which hell itself prays for protection seventy times a day. God Almighty has made this to help me remain steadfast. [A number of traditions and stories mainly in the form of a continued pictorial presentation of hell-follow.

Khwaja Hasan Basri said: There was a man who was released from the fire of hell after seven thousand years. O that I were that man! On another occasion, he was sitting on a rubbish heap, weeping. He was asked why he was weeping. He replied: I am afraid that I might be thrown into the fire of hell, and that it may not be able to purify me! Here it can be said:

Since no one is pure in My estimation, There is no possibility of dust being found in My world! Yet, entrust to Me your day of death for, in My presence, The killing of a pure person is no cause for fear!

If such was the state of Khwaja Hasan Basri, what will happen to a mere handful of dust? It is related that Khwaja Ahmad Harb said: We all seek shade from the sun, why shouldn't we seek paradise as a refuge from hell? It is related that Jesus said: There are many in good health, with ruddy complexions and glib tongues who, on the morrow, will cry out in the various parts of the fire of hell. David used to say: O God, how could I possibly endure the heat of the fire of hell, when I can't even bear the heat of Your sun? How could I bear the sound of Your torments, when I can't even bear that of Your mercy? Look at this terrifying sight, and realize that God Almighty has created both this frightening fire and also people for it, whose number will not increase or decrease. This is something that has already been decided upon and marked down by God Almighty. In our foolishness, you and I are perplexed, for we have no idea what was determined for us from the very beginning. If you say, If only I knew where destiny was calling me, and to what I am returning and what was determined concerning me from the very beginning understand that there is something that would serve as a sign for you. It might help you to love and, by means of this, your hope will become well founded.

Look at your own states and actions, for the purpose for which everyone is created is rendered easy for him. If the path of goodness has been made easy for you, rejoice, for you are far from the fire of hell! If, on the other hand, you cannot intend doing anything good without being surrounded by all sorts of impediments that prevent you from acting, and if it happens that, no sooner do you decide to do something evil, than everything is made easy for you, realize that it was destined for you! It is a sign of your final end, just as rain is an indication of vegetation, and smoke is a sign of fire. The Quran has this to say: Undoubtedly those who do good are destined for the blessings of heaven, while evildoers are destined for the fire of hell (Q82:13). Think of your soul with respect to these two verses if you wish to know where you stand in relation to the two abodes!

It has been reported that Khwaja Yahya Mu'az said: I don't know which of these two sins is harder to endure-missing out on paradise, or going to hell. At any rate, it is easier to go without the blessings of heaven than to endure the torments of hell. Yet there is an even greater and more unbearable trial in hell than there would be if there was to be a release granted at some stage, namely, the fact that hell lasts forever. What heart could endure that? What soul could put up with that? The secret is contained in these words of Jesus: The thought of remaining forever in hell tears to shreds the hearts of the fearful. What you have heard is a mere introduction to what hell and its torments are like! There is a secret in this. At death, the veils of this world are removed; the soul remains sullied by the impurity of this world, and is not entirely separated from it, even though it is now really distinct from it. It is as though some dross and rust were to remain on some precious jewel. Or, again, it is like a mirror that is so covered with rust as to be completely spoiled. No amount of cleaning or polishing could have any effect on it. These are the people who have become entirely and eternally veiled from their Lord-may God forbid such a thing!

On the other hand, some jewels have not reached this stage and are still capable of being cleaned and polished. They are placed over the fire until they are cleansed of all dross and rust-for no longer or shorter time than that! It is commonly said about believers that, in three thousand years, no soul will depart from this world without any stain from the world remaining upon it, except perhaps for a very few. Now realize the secret meaning of this verse: There is not one of you but who will have to come to it. Your Lord has required it! (Q19:71).

Peace!

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate!

Dear Brother Shamsuddin, you were told: Fire is where all will end up (Q19:71). Then the following verse was revealed: Those who live lives of abstinence will be saved (Q19:72). We are certainly heading toward hell, but there is doubt as to whether we are heading toward heaven or not. Take this opportunity now of looking at, and reflecting over, the valleys of hell and its various partitions, as described by the Prophet. There are seventy thousand valleys in hell. In each valley there are seventy thousand caverns. In each of these there are seventy thousand snakes and scorpions. There will be no end to the torments of the infidels and the hypocrites until they have passed by them all. It is also related that he said: We seek God's protection from the pit and valleys of sorrow. The Apostle was asked what the pits and valleys of sorrow were. He said: There is a valley in hell from which hell itself prays for protection seventy times a day. God Almighty has made this to help me remain steadfast. [A number of traditions and stories mainly in the form of a continued pictorial presentation of hell-follow.

Khwaja Hasan Basri said: There was a man who was released from the fire of hell after seven thousand years. O that I were that man! On another occasion, he was sitting on a rubbish heap, weeping. He was asked why he was weeping. He replied: I am afraid that I might be thrown into the fire of hell, and that it may not be able to purify me! Here it can be said:

Since no one is pure in My estimation, There is no possibility of dust being found in My world! Yet, entrust to Me your day of death for, in My presence, The killing of a pure person is no cause for fear!

If such was the state of Khwaja Hasan Basri, what will happen to a mere handful of dust? It is related that Khwaja Ahmad Harb said: We all seek shade from the sun, why shouldn't we seek paradise as a refuge from hell? It is related that Jesus said: There are many in good health, with ruddy complexions and glib tongues who, on the morrow, will cry out in the various parts of the fire of hell. David used to say: O God, how could I possibly endure the heat of the fire of hell, when I can't even bear the heat of Your sun? How could I bear the sound of Your torments, when I can't even bear that of Your mercy? Look at this terrifying sight, and realize that God Almighty has created both this frightening fire and also people for it, whose number will not increase or decrease. This is something that has already been decided upon and marked down by God Almighty. In our foolishness, you and I are perplexed, for we have no idea what was determined for us from the very beginning. If you say, If only I knew where destiny was calling me, and to what I am returning and what was determined concerning me from the very beginning understand that there is something that would serve as a sign for you. It might help you to love and, by means of this, your hope will become well founded.

Look at your own states and actions, for the purpose for which everyone is created is rendered easy for him. If the path of goodness has been made easy for you, rejoice, for you are far from the fire of hell! If, on the other hand, you cannot intend doing anything good without being surrounded by all sorts of impediments that prevent you from acting, and if it happens that, no sooner do you decide to do something evil, than everything is made easy for you, realize that it was destined for you! It is a sign of your final end, just as rain is an indication of vegetation, and smoke is a sign of fire. The Quran has this to say: Undoubtedly those who do good are destined for the blessings of heaven, while evildoers are destined for the fire of hell (Q82:13). Think of your soul with respect to these two verses if you wish to know where you stand in relation to the two abodes!

It has been reported that Khwaja Yahya Mu'az said: I don't know which of these two sins is harder to endure-missing out on paradise, or going to hell. At any rate, it is easier to go without the blessings of heaven than to endure the torments of hell. Yet there is an even greater and more unbearable trial in hell than there would be if there was to be a release granted at some stage, namely, the fact that hell lasts forever. What heart could endure that? What soul could put up with that? The secret is contained in these words of Jesus: The thought of remaining forever in hell tears to shreds the hearts of the fearful. What you have heard is a mere introduction to what hell and its torments are like! There is a secret in this. At death, the veils of this world are removed; the soul remains sullied by the impurity of this world, and is not entirely separated from it, even though it is now really distinct from it. It is as though some dross and rust were to remain on some precious jewel. Or, again, it is like a mirror that is so covered with rust as to be completely spoiled. No amount of cleaning or polishing could have any effect on it. These are the people who have become entirely and eternally veiled from their Lord-may God forbid such a thing!

On the other hand, some jewels have not reached this stage and are still capable of being cleaned and polished. They are placed over the fire until they are cleansed of all dross and rust-for no longer or shorter time than that! It is commonly said about believers that, in three thousand years, no soul will depart from this world without any stain from the world remaining upon it, except perhaps for a very few. Now realize the secret meaning of this verse: There is not one of you but who will have to come to it. Your Lord has required it! (Q19:71).

Peace!