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The continuity and development of the concept of hell in Bible and Qur’an can be understood from the underlying word Gehenna, derived from the Old Testament . In 2 Kings, it refers to an actual location, the valley of Hinnom, where children were offered to the heathen god Moloch. The practice was outlawed by God but He again had to warn the people of Juda to refrain from burning their children in Hinnom valley (Jeremiah 7: 30-31). The idea of God punishing with fire can be found in the Old Testament, but not so much the underworld of the dead is affected as the world of the living. Fundamentally, the concept of hell-fire is foreign to the Old Testament. In the gospels, the word ‘Gehenna’ acquires a general meaning, that of the fiery place where the evildoers are punished after death. The Bible book Revelation mentions the pit of fire into which the damned are thrown. Here it is rendered by the word ‘hell’. The same word, ‘Jehennem’ or ‘Gahannam’ in Arabic, is also translated below as hell. It is the place full of flames where the evildoers are punished after death. There are striking parallels between the stories in the New Testament and the Qur’an concerning hell. The Qur’anic version of hell is far more detailed than that of the New Testament, both logically and poetically. Hell is described in countless surahs. All kinds of striking images are used to convince those leading an ungodly life that they will eventually be confronted with their bad deeds. Iblis, the Devil or Satan and his demons appear in passages from both books, leading people astray until they finally join them in hell’s flames. The Qur’an often refers to Iblis and his companions simply as ‘unbelievers’. Does this imply that unbelievers, people of other faiths are automatically destined for hell? The Qur’an conveys a subtler picture. Its opinion for instance about Israelites and Christians, the People of the Book, is not altogether negative. All hope for them is not lost if they disregard the polytheistic mistakes in their religions. These are seen in the adoration of the Golden Bull (chapter 10), and the deification of Jesus and his mother (chapter 13). However, if Christians and Jews become aggressive, if they initiate war, they themselves will be rewarded with fire. According to the Qur’an even faithful Muslims risk being damned. While ostensibly believing in Allah, some Muslims spread ruin on earth. Such hypocrites can be likened to the clerics and Pharisees criticized by Jesus. On the other hand, people who have not had the chance to embrace the ‘true faith’ should not be condemned out of hand. The story of the ‘good Samaritan’ is a good example of this idea. The Qur’an indicates that the oppressed who have not been shown the true way can hope for forgiveness. The word ‘unbeliever’ in the Qur’an has a strong ethical meaning. Those with most to fear from the fires of hell are the unjust. Muslims will also be judged in terms of their deeds, and punished or rewarded accordingly. To understand this ethical dimension of the Qur’anic use of the word ‘unbeliever’, one should remember that Satan/Iblis was the first and foremost ‘unbeliever’ (see chapter 3). He does not deny the existence of Allah; he even talks to him. However, he disobeys Allah and strives against divine justice. Satan/Iblis is the enemy of mankind (see chapter 3 and 4). He tempts people, Muslims and non-Muslims, to do things that land them in hell. In the Bible book Revelation, Satan and his followers are themselves finally thrown into the pit of fire. In the Qur’an the devil and his friends undergo the same fate. Those who have condemned themselves to the fires of hell stand on to the left ( the sinister side) on Judgement Day, in both Bible and the Qur’an. They are lost because of various unjust or sinful actions, especially the crime of murder which is condemned in both books (see chapter 5). There are, however, more ways of ending up in hell. The Qur’an explains that hell has seven gates. To the unbeliever, hell looks like endless punishment. However, Allah can decide on another policy. People can be sent to hell for an intermediate period, time to be finally be admitted to heaven. The Qur’an alternates fierce threats of eternal punishment with calls for repentance. Those who repent and mend their lives can count on forgiveness. The theme of repentance is of major importance in the Qur’an, not only in surah 9, ‘Repentance’, but throughout the book. The necessity of repentance and God’s forgiveness are also recurring themes in the Old and New Testaments. |
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Hinnom Valley, Hell
Josiah sent some men to Hinnom Valley… with orders to make the altar there unfit for worship. That way, people could no longer use it for sacrificing their children to the god Molech. 2 Kings 23: 10
My people, I will breathe out fire that sends you down to the world of the dead. It will scorch your farmlands and burn deep down under the mountains. Deuteronomy 32: 22
God is the one you must fear. Not only can he take your life, but he can throw you into hell. Luke 12: 5
If your right hand causes you to sin, chop it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Matthew 5: 30
If your foot causes you to sin, chop it off. You would be better off to go into life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. Mark 9: 45
If your eye causes you to sin, get rid of it. You would be better off to go into God's kingdom with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. The worms there never die, and the fire never stops burning. Mark 9: 47-48
Everlasting Fire for the devil
“Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! Matthew 25: 41
He chained the dragon for a thousand years. It is that old snake, who is also known as the devil and Satan. Revelation 20: 2
Then the devil who fooled them will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulphur. He will be there with the beast and the false prophet… Revelation 20: 10
But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet… (they,) were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulphur.
Revelation 19: 20
The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever... Revelation 14: 11
The hypocrites
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: You Pharisees and teachers are… in for trouble! You build monuments for the prophets and decorate the tombs of good people. And you claim that you would not have taken part with your ancestors in killing the prophets. But you prove that you really are the relatives of the ones who killed the prophets. So keep on doing everything they did. You are nothing but snakes and the children of snakes! How can you escape going to hell? Matthew 23: 1, 29-33
The Good Samaritan
As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. A man from Samaria then came travelling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. (He) was a real neighbour to the man who was beaten up by robbers… The one who showed pity.
Luke 10: 30-37
Goats on the left
He (Jesus) as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matthew 25: 32-33
Then the king will say to those on his left: “Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire… I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.” “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.” Matthew 25: 41-43, 45
You know that our ancestors were told: “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” Matthew 5: 21
…what will happen to cowards and to everyone who is unfaithful or dirty-minded or who murders or is sexually immoral or uses witchcraft or worships idols or tells lies. They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulphur. Revelation 21: 8
In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom.” Mark 10: 25
But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5: 22
The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. James 3: 6
Anyone whose name wasn't written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 15
Eternal punishment or Temporary Chastisement
I (Jesus) promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are.But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever. Mark 3: 28-29
You… will be tortured with fire and burning sulphur… Revelation 14: 10
…they will be in pain day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20: 10
The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever, and you will never be able to rest. Revelation 14: 11
Forgiveness
Israel, return! Come back to the LORD, your God. Sin has made you fall. Return to the LORD and say: “Please forgive our sins.” Hosea 14: 1-2
“… I (David)… was stupid and terribly wrong.” 2 Samuel 24: 10
I earnestly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me! Do not destroy me with my transgressions! Do not be angry with me for ever or lay up evil for me; do not condemn me to the depths of the earth. For thou, O Lord, art the God of those who repent... Prayer of Manassas 1: 13 (Apocrypha)
Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Matthew 6: 12
Be true to your name, LORD, by forgiving each one of my terrible sins. Psalm 25: 11
You are merciful, LORD! You are kind and patient and always loving. Psalm 145: 8 |
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Hell blazes forth
And We shall present Hell that day for Unbelievers to see, all spread out – Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants as protectors besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the Unbelievers for (their) entertainment.
Surah 18: 100, 102
In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost. Surah 8: 37
(They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water, and in the shades of Black Smoke: Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please: Surah 56: 42-44
Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: Surah 11: 106
And thou wilt see the sinners that day bound together in fetters;- Their garments of liquid pitch, and their faces covered with Fire; That Allah may requite each soul according to its deserts; and verily Allah is swift in calling to account. Surah 14: 49-51
...as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: Surah 4: 56
When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, almost bursting with fury: Surah 67: 7-8
...their abode will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the fierceness of the Fire. Surah 17: 97
Fire for the hoste of Iblis
...for those who resist Allah, is the penalty of the Fire. Surah 8: 14
Then they will be thrown headlong into the (Fire) – they and those straying in Evil, And the whole hosts of Iblis (Satan) together. Surah 26: 94-95
For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such), Destination. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, almost bursting with fury: Surah 67: 6-8
Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception. They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape. Surah 4: 119-121
The People of the Book
If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss. If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. Surah 5: 65-66
They do blaspheme who say: “(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Surah 5: 72
There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil. Surah 5: 66
Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. Surah 5: 64
Whoever joins other gods with Allah – Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. Surah 5: 72
There is from among them a party on the right course… Surah 5: 66
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures),... and the Christians – any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness – on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Surah 5: 69
Faith no guarantee
Of the people there are some who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day;” but they do not (really) believe. Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not! In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease: And grievous is the penalty they (incur)... When it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “Why, we only Want to make peace!” Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief... Surah 2: 8-12
The Hypocrites, men and women... enjoin evil, and forbid what is just, and are close with their hands Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women... the fire of Hell: Surah 9: 67-68
Allah forgives the opressed
Such men will find their abode in Hell – What an evil refuge! - Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed - men, women, and children - who have no means in their power, nor (a guide-post) to their way. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: For Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again. Surah 4: 97-99
The left-hand: the wrong-doers
The Companions of the Left Hand – what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
Surah 56: 41
...those who do wrong. Surah 7: 41
Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities... Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves... If any do that in rancour and injustice – soon shall We cast them into the Fire: Surah 4: 29-30
There are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty - On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs... taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried! Surah 9: 34-35
To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be of the gates of heaven... until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward for those in sin. For them there is Hell, as a couch (below)... Surah 7: 40-41
Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: Surah 4: 10
But if any one earns a fault or a sin and throws it on to one that is innocent, He carries (on himself) (Both) a falsehood and a flagrant sin. Surah 4: 112
The Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder (man) from the path of Allah... they will be overcome: and the Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell;- In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost. Surah 8: 36-37
And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all! To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned. Surah 15: 43-44
The fruits of your deeds
...and in despair will they be there overwhelmed. Nowise shall We be unjust to them: but it is they who have been unjust themselves. Surah 43: 75-76
But, of a surety, Hell will encompass the Rejecters of Faith! - On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and (a Voice) shall say: “Taste ye (the fruits) of your deeds!” Surah 29: 54-55
And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say: “Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!” They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice. Surah 18: 49
Eternal punishment or Temporary Chastisement
Truly Hell is as a place of ambush, for the transgressors a place of destination: They will dwell therein for ages. Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink, save a boiling fluid and a fluid, dark, murky, intensely cold, a fitting recompense (for them). Surah 78: 21-26
They will abide therein: Their penalty will not be lightened, nor will respite be their (lot). Surah 2: 162
Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished. But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees. Surah 19: 71-72
He will say: “The Fire be your dwelling-place: you will dwell therein for ever, except as Allah willeth.” Surah 6: 128
Repentance
Except for those that repent (Even) after that, and make amends; for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Surah 3: 89
But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness... Surah 5: 39
And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion;- Surah 25: 71
For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly... Surah 2: 222
Our Lord... forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire;”-
Surah 3: 16
Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance from His votaries... and that Allah is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful? Surah 9: 104
And remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Surah 3: 103
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Surah 1: 1 (the start of virtually every surah) |
Koran and Bible side by side (Marlies ter Borg & Karima Bisschop) © 2007 Unieboek bv
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