Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 625 [Read full issue]
Why Hell?
Hell. The word conjures up images of fire and suffering. But the purpose of Hell in Islam is not only to punish, but also to purify. Hell is not the headquarters of Satan and his devils, as is the popular idea in Western Culture. Satan has no throne in Hell from which he directs his plans against true believers in God. Hell is a place that God created for punishing and purifying. Satan does not want to go there, and neither does anyone else.
Hell is not the province of a cruel God. It serves a purpose: to purify warped souls. Once a woman and her son were sitting in a gathering listening to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as he gave a sermon. The child wandered away from his mother and tried to put his hand in the fireplace; the mother instinctively snatched her child away to safety. She thought for a moment about what she had done and asked the Prophet how Allah could punish those He loved in Hell when she as a mother wanted only to protect her little one. The Prophet bowed his head and cried softly and then answered to her by saying that Allah does not like to punish. He punishes only those who have rejected Him and committed evil actions. Wouldn't the mother also correct her son when he did wrong? Thus, we find the purpose of Hell justified.
Compiled From:
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition" - Yahiya Emerick, pp. 78-80