Jahannam

Jahannam (Arabic: جهنم)(in Turkish: cehennem) is the Islamic equivalent to Gei Hinnom. Its name is similar to the Hebrew word Gehinnom, from which it derives. According to the Qur'an only God knows who will go to Jahannam and who will go to Jannah. Those who ignored, or only pretended to believe in Allah remain in Jahannam after Qiyamah (Judgment Day).

Muslims believe that unfaithful Muslims not true to their religion will be punished in Jahannam, but will eventually be forgiven. A minority of Muslims also believe that those who are not Muslim, Jewish, or Christian (or remain Kafir such as polytheists) will burn in Jahannam for everlasting.

Zaqqum is a thorned tree that grows in Jahannam. It has bitter thorned fruit which the damned are compelled to eat so as to intensify their torment. Its fruits are shaped like devils' heads. Quote from the Qur'an:

[44.43] Surely the tree of the Zaqqum,

[44.44] Is the food of the sinful

[44.45] Like dregs of oil; it shall boil in (their) bellies,

[44.46] Like the boiling of hot water.

Surah Al-Baqara of the Qur'an states that along with Muslims, Allah will also save other People of the Book who believed truly in their Prophets prior to Islam from the fire of Gehenna:

The Qur'an also states:

[3.117] The likeness of what they spend in the life of this world is as the likeness of wind in which is intense cold (that) smites the seed produce of a people who has done injustice to their souls and destroys it; and Allah is not unjust to them, but they are unjust to themselves.

Muslims and non-Muslims agree that the Qur'an is very descriptive of Hell. It is therefore emphasised by Muslims to have fear of the omnipotent as a way of cultivating piety and humility. For example, the second verse in chapter two of the Qur'an reads:

[2:2] "This is the book, there is no doubt in it. It is a guide for the God-fearing and pious."

See also

• Jannah
• Salvation
• Sin
• Barzakh

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