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It’s really important to have a mature understanding of heaven and hell. We already construct our daily life around preventing harm or discomfort—trying to avoid things that disrupt our peace or cause pain. Allah asks us to reflect that same concept spiritually, to help enhance our understanding of the differences at play between paradise and hellfire.

Sometimes, we find ourselves with an inherent understanding of hell that causes us to challenge the concept itself: Why does Allah warn us so much about it? Why is fear used? Why does it seem so easy to end up there? These questions arise because we live with limitations—human limitations. But what if those limitations were always the standard? And it was society that distorted or evolved them over time?

Instead of viewing heaven and hell as random extremes, we need to elevate our thinking to understand how they’re earned—not just ask why they exist. Allah already confirmed that the Qur’an is the final address. Questioning it will bring no benefit. Its strength lies in its strength. It’s a system meant to override the very doubts it came to clarify. It’s not a book that dictates with force—it’s a book that, when sincerely embraced, opens the line of truth. Allah calls it His light upon light.

Going against what angers Allah is the opposite of the Qur’an’s guidance—but society doesn’t see it that way. Instead, it’s often framed as freedom of speech or personal choice that overrides religious law. Yet, we’re presented with choices every day, and when we choose the path we know aligns with Allah’s prescription, we are on sabeelillah—Allah’s way. But when we deliberately choose the other path, we accumulate the bad deeds that pull us closer to hell.

Today’s society has a way of challenging the concept of hell as if they’re defending it. You hear things like: “So if I take one drink, I’m going to hell? All the good I do gets erased because of this tiny sin?” These kinds of remarks are rooted in sarcasm and vagueness—they feed off each other. People construct their own rules and criteria, challenging what’s already inherently obvious.

Sins come in all shapes and sizes, and only Allah knows the unseen forces that influence them. We don’t know what kind of company we attract spiritually when we choose to act against Allah’s command. That’s why Allah makes it clear: Shaytan’s intention is to recruit dwellers of the blazing fire. That’s the reality. If we want something—like Jannah—we have to actually work for it. We can’t live life pleasing Shaytan and still assume we’re going to Paradise just because we “said so.” Only Allah knows the unseen and the intentions, and He gave each person the open line to figure out that delicate process of how and why.

In Surah 33:35–36, Allah clearly highlights the importance of upholding His principles to safeguard ourselves from the influence of hell. This isn’t new—He already did trial phases with mankind through belief systems, starting with the Torah, then the Gospel, and finally revealing the Qur’an as the official guide for the soul to survive this life and return to paradise. It is elaboratively warning us to be cautious.

Believing in Allah’s truth takes time—not because His truth is hard to find, but because society has built up so many other “truths” over time. These so-called truths are often rooted in control: control of behavior, control of identity, control of what should or shouldn’t be believed. And over time, these truths get absorbed individually, becoming a personal strain—a quiet form of control that interferes with our ability to fully believe.

That’s why Allah makes the truth evident not all at once, but according to our ability to let go of that doubt that’s often tied to pride. Pride masks itself as independence, intellect, or “self-awareness,” but in reality, it blocks us from surrender. Allah knows this. And He doesn’t rush the process—He reveals, step by step, allowing us to unlearn what we've been conditioned to accept.

So while people today might joke and act like faith is distant or irrelevant—and belief should only count if it’s something we can physically touch—Allah tells us there’s no need to argue. The reality of His decision, and the testimony of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, are all the proof we need. The truth will be spiritually, intellectually, and even physically clear when we learn to understand life on the level of how things work, not just why we’re being told. The Qur’an is a guide for the soul, not a burden. It’s a light meant to clear out the fog of man-made confusion.

And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.
It is He Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and knows all that you have done by day. Then He raises you up again that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled. Then (in the end) unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.
He is the Irresistible, over His slaves, and He sends guardians (angels) over you. Until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.
Then they are returned to Allah, their true Maula (Master, God), the Just. Surely, for Him is the judgment. And He is the Swiftest in taking account.
Say (O Muhammad): "Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea (dangers like storms), when you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): 'If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger), we shall truly be grateful.'"
Say: "Allah rescues you from it and from all (other) distresses, and yet you worship others besides Allah."
Say: "He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you taste the violence of one another." See how variously We explain the Ayat, so that they may understand.
But your people (O Muhammad) have denied it (the Qur'an) though it is the truth. Say: "I am not responsible for your affairs."
For every news there is a fact, and you will come to know.

Jathiyah
Ha-Mim.
The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for those who believe.
And in your creation, and what He scattered through the earth of moving creatures are signs for people who have faith with certainty.
And in the alternation of night and day, and the provision (rain) that Allah sends down from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the turning about of the winds are signs for a people who understand.
These are the Ayat of Allah, which We recite to you with truth. Then in which speech after Allah and His Ayat will they believe?
Woe to every sinful liar,
Who hears the Verses of Allah being recited to him, yet persists with pride as if he heard them not. So announce to him a painful torment!
And when he learns something of Our Verses, he takes them in mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.
In front of them is Hell, and that which they have earned will be of no profit to them, nor (will be) those whom they have taken as protectors besides Allah. And theirs will be a great torment.
This is guidance. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat of their Lord, for them there is a painful torment of Rijz (a severe kind of punishment).
Allah is He Who has subjected to you the sea, that ships may sail through it by His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks.
And He has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all from Him. Verily, in that are signs for a people who reflect.
Tell those who believe to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah, so that He may recompense people for what they used to earn.
Whosoever does a good deed, it is for himself, and whosoever does evil, it is against himself, then to your Lord you will be made to return.
And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the Prophethood, and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the nations.
And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the Prophethood, and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the nations.
And gave them clear proofs in matters. And they differed not until after knowledge had come to them, through envy among themselves. Verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they used to differ.

Then We have put you on a plain way of commandment. So follow you that, and follow not the desires of those who know not.
Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah. Verily, the Zalimun (wrongdoers) are allies to one another, but Allah is the Wali (Protector) of the Muttaqun (the pious).
This is clear insight and evidence for mankind, and a guidance and a mercy for people who have Faith with certainty.
Do those who commit evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous good deeds — in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgment that they make.
And Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth, and so that every person may be recompensed what he has earned, and they will not be wronged.
Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his god, and Allah, knowing him as such, left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight? Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?
And they say: “There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except time.” And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture.
And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, their argument is no other than that they say: “Bring back our forefathers, if you are truthful!”
Say (to them): “Allah gives you life, then causes you to die, then He will assemble you on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. But most of mankind know not.”
And to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And on the Day that the Hour will be established — on that Day shall the followers of falsehood lose.
And you will see each nation humbled to their knees (kneeling), each nation will be called to its Record. This Day you shall be recompensed for what you used to do.
This Our Record speaks about you with truth. Verily, We were recording what you used to do.
Then, as for those who believed and did righteous good deeds, their Lord will admit them to His Mercy. That will be the evident success.
But as for those who disbelieved (it will be said to them): "Were not Our Verses recited to you? But you were proud and were a people who were Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, sinners)."
And when it was said: “Verily! The Promise of Allah is true, and the Hour – there is no doubt about its coming,” you said: “We know not what is the Hour. We do not think it but as a conjecture, and we have no firm convincing belief (in it).”
And the evil of what they did will appear to them, and they will be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!
And it will be said: “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours. And your abode is the Fire, and there is none to help you.”
This, because you took the revelations of Allah in mockery, and the life of the world deceived you. So this Day they shall not be taken out from it, nor shall they be returned to the worldly life.
So all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth, and the Lord of all that exists.
And His is the Majesty in the heavens and the earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

Surah Ad-Dukhan
Ha-Mim.
By the manifest Book that makes things clear.
We sent it down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning.
Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments,
A command (or this Qur’an or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers),
As a mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you but have a faith with certainty.
There is no god but He. It is He Who gives life and causes death — your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.
Nay! They play in doubt.
Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke,
Covering the people: this is a painful torment.
(They will say): "Our Lord! Remove the torment from us, really we shall become believers!"
How can there be for them an admonition (at that time)? When indeed there had come to them a Messenger explaining things clearly.
Then they had turned away from him and said: "One taught (by a human being), a madman!"
Verily, We shall remove the torment for a while. Verily you will revert.
On the Day when We shall seize you with the greatest seizure (punishment). Verily, We will exact retribution.
And indeed We tried before them Pharaoh’s people, when there came to them a noble Messenger (Musa – Moses),
Saying: "Deliver to me the slaves of Allah (i.e., the Children of Israel). Verily! I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust.
And exalt not yourselves against Allah. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority.
And truly, I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord, lest you should stone me.
But if you believe me not, then keep away from me and leave me alone."
So he (Musa) called upon his Lord (saying): "These are indeed the people who are Mujrimun (criminals, disobedient to Allah)."
(Allah said): "Depart you with My slaves by night. Surely, you will be pursued.
And leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided). Verily, they are a host to be drowned."
How many of gardens and springs did they leave behind,
And green crops (fields etc.) and goodly places,
And comforts of life wherein they used to take delight!
Thus (it was), and We made other people inherit them.
And the heavens and the earth wept not for them, nor were they given a respite.
And indeed We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment,
From Pharaoh. Verily, he was arrogant and was of the Musrifun (those who transgress all bounds in evil).
And We chose them above the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinn) with knowledge,
And granted them signs in which there was a plain trial.
Verily, these (Quraish) people are saying:
"There is nothing but our first death, and we shall not be resurrected.
Then bring back our forefathers, if you speak the truth!"
Are they better or the people of Tubba‘ and those who were before them? We destroyed them because they were indeed Mujrimun (criminals).
And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play.
We created them not except with truth, but most of them know not.
Verily, the Day of Decision is the time appointed for all of them —
The Day when a near relative cannot avail a near relative in aught, and no help can they receive,
Except him on whom Allah has Mercy. Verily! He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.
Verily, the tree of Zaqqum
Will be the food of the sinners.
Like boiling oil, it will boil in the bellies,
Like the boiling of scalding water.
(It will be said): "Seize him and drag him into the midst of the blazing Fire,
Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water."
Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous!
Verily, this is that whereof you used to doubt!
Verily, the Muttaqun (pious) will be in place of Security (Paradise).
Among Gardens and Springs,
Dressed in fine silk and in thick silk, facing each other,
So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Hur (fair female) with wide, lovely eyes.
They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security,
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire,
As a Bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success!
Certainly, We have made this (Qur’an) easy in your tongue, in order that they may remember.
Wait then (O Muhammad); verily, they (too) are waiting.