Hell Was Never Meant To Be

Allah (swt) created fire as an active element — one that serves its purpose in the universe with precision. Fire is not just destruction; it gives warmth, energy, and clarity. It is purposeful. So when Allah describes Hell using fire, it’s not arbitrary or cruel — it’s rooted in divine wisdom and justice. Allah is the source of purity, light, and goodness. And everything He creates serves a purpose — even Hell.

Shaytan, on the other hand, declared his ultimate arrogance by denying and defying Allah — the very One who created him. He lacked integrity in acknowledging his origin and refused to show accountability when commanded to bow to Adam (AS). His pride was so deep that he couldn’t accept Allah’s wisdom over his own self-perception. In Allah’s infinite wisdom, Hell was created in response to Shaytan’s defiance:

“Verily, Allah will admit those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds into Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise); whereas those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode.”
— Surah Muhammad (47:12), Muhsin Khan
But look at Allah’s response — He didn’t just erase Shaytan. He could have. But He didn’t, because Allah is not a dictator. If He had canceled Shaytan the moment he disobeyed, the rest of creation would have submitted out of fear, not love. And Allah, in His infinite mercy and justice, wants sincerity — not robotic submission. With the very first Surah that opens the Qur’an and intercedes for us:

“Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger nor of those who went astray.”
— Surah Al-Fatiha (1:6–7), Muhsin Khan
…we are already being taught that life consists of choices — a difference in paths, a difference in destinations. That guidance is available from the very beginning.

So when people read about Hell and get uncomfortable — when they ask why Allah “sounds” harsh or threatening — they’re missing the bigger picture. Allah warns us about Hell because He doesn’t want us to end up there. The vivid descriptions are not scare tactics — they are signs of His mercy, a wake-up call. Just as we work to live comfortably in this world, He wants us to be just as invested in working for the eternal goodness of the Hereafter.

Free will wasn’t given to trick us. It was given because Allah is not a dictator. He gave us the ability to choose, to think, to reflect. And that freedom is what makes worship and obedience meaningful. It’s the diversity we love — that even in our individuality, Allah teaches us how to maintain our similarities. Hell exists because justice exists. And mercy can only be complete when it stands beside justice.

And Shaytan made his mission very clear: he promised to lead us astray, to corrupt us, and to drag us with him into Hell. Misery loves company, and negativity spreads quickly — like wildfire — when we let it. But instead of seeing Allah’s warning about Hell as sincere advice meant to protect us, we sometimes take it as an “insult.” That’s exactly Shaytan’s trick: he makes us think it’s better to defend our pride than to admit that Allah, out of His wisdom, would never ask us to follow blindly. 

The message isn’t hidden. It’s in plain sight, every single day. Allah gave us all the tools, all the signs, and all the truth we need. He describes Hell not because He enjoys punishment — but because He loves us enough to warn us.

The question isn’t why Hell exists.
The real question is: why do we keep acting like it doesn’t?

Surah Sad 38:63–88
38:63 They will say: "Nay, you (misleaders) yourselves were not believers."
38:64 "And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were a transgressing people."
38:65 "So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall certainly (have to) taste (the torment)."
38:66 "So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray."
38:67 Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment.
38:68 Certainly, that is how We deal with Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, criminals, the disobedient to Allah, etc.).
38:69 Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).
38:70 And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our aliha (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?"
38:71 Nay! He (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah's religion — Islamic Monotheism and this Qur'an) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah's religion — Islamic Monotheism).
38:72 Verily, you (pagans of Makkah) are going to taste the painful torment;
38:73 And you will be requited nothing except for what you used to do (evil deeds, sins, and Allah's disobedience which you used to do in this world).
38:74 Save the chosen slaves of Allah (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism).
38:75 For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise),
38:76 Fruits; and they shall be honoured,
38:77 In the Gardens of delight (Paradise).
38:78 Facing one another on thrones.
38:79 Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine;
38:80 White, delicious to the drinkers.
38:81 Neither will they have Ghoul (any kind of harm) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.
38:82 And besides them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf (chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)), (and) of equal ages.
38:83 This it is what you (the pious) are promised for the Day of Reckoning!
38:84 (It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our Provision which will never finish;
38:85 This (is so)! And most surely, for the Taghun (transgressors and disobedient to Allah) will be an evil final return (Fire),
38:86 Hell! Where they will burn, and worst (indeed) is that place to rest!
38:87 This (is so)! Then let them taste its heat — a boiling fluid (Hamim) and dirty wound discharges (Ghassaq).
38:88 And other torments of similar kind, all together!