FIRST TYPE: HAMIM (SCALDING WATER)
First Type: Hamim (Scalding Water)
Abdullah Ibn ‘Isa Al-Kharraz narrated from Dawud, from ( Ikrimah that Ibn (Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) said: “[It means] the scalding water that burns.”
Al-Hasan and Al-Suddi said: ‘[It means] water heated to extremity.’
Jubayr conveyed that Al-Dahhak said: ‘They drink from water that has been boiling since Allah created the Heavens and the Earth until the day they drink it, and it is poured over their heads.’
Ibn Wahb narrated that Ibn Zayd said:‘[It refers] to their tears in Hell-fire,which are gathered in the basins of Hell-fire for them to drink.’
Allah Almighty said:
“They will go around between it and scalding water, heated [to the utmost degree]. “
(Al-Rahman (55): 44)
Muhammad Ibn Ka’b said: ‘The verse means ‘present scalding water.’
However, the majority of interpreters disagreed with him and said that it means, ‘Scalding water heated to its utmost degree’.
Shubayb Ibn ‘Ikrimah narrated that Ibn (Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) said, regarding this verse, ‘Scalding water boiled to its utmost degree.’
Sa’id Ibn Bishr conveyed that Qatadah said: ‘Allah has been boiling it since He created the Heavens and the Earth.’
Allah said:
“They will be given a drink from a boiling spring. “ (Al-Ghashiyah (88): 5)
Mujahid said: “It boiled to the maximum and is ready to be drunk.”
Al-Hasan said: “TheArabs used this [Arabic expression] to indicate that something is heated to its utmost degree so that nothing could be hotter.
Allah Almighty said:
“from a boiling spring” (Al-Ghashiyah (88): 5)
Allah has lit Hell-fire on it since it was created.’
It is also narrated that he said: ‘It has been boiling since Allah created the Heavens and the Earth.’
Al-Suddi said: ‘It is heated to its utmost degree, beyond which there is no higher degree.’
We have already stated the hadith narrated by Abu’l-Darda’ (radijAllahu ‘anhu) about giving them scalding water with iron hooks.
Second Type: Ghassaq (Foul Purulence)
Ibn (Abbas (radiAllahu ‘anhuma) said: ‘Ghassaq is what flows from between the disbeliever’s skin and flesh.’It is also narrated that he said: ‘Ghassaq is the freezing cold water whose cold temperature burns.’
Abdullah Ibn Amr said: ‘Ghassaq is foul purulence. If a drop thereof fell in the west, it would befall the people of the east, and vice versa.’
Mujahid said: ‘Ghassaq is what is too cold for them to taste.’
Atiyyah said: ‘It is what flows off their skin.’
Ka’b (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Ghassaq is a fountain in Hell-fire to which poison flows from every poisonous source, such as serpents,scorpions and the like, and it stagnates. Man is brought and dipped into it momentarily, so he comes out having his skin and flesh fallen off his bones. His skin and flesh dangle from his heels, and he drags them along as one drags his long garments.’
Al-Suddi said: ‘Ghassaq is the tears that flow from their eyes, which they are made to drink along with scalding water.’
Darraj narrated from Abu’l Haytham, from Abu Sa’id, that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “If a pot of Ghassaq was spilled in the world, it would befall all its inhabitants. “ (Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, 3/28, 83, Al-Tirmidhi, #2587 and Al-Hakim, 4/602 who graded it authentic.)
Bilal Ibn Sa’d said: ‘If a pot of Ghassaq was put on Earth, everyone above it would die.’ He also reportedly said: ‘If a drop thereof fell on earth, it would be foul all within it.’ It is reported by Abu Nu’aym.
Ibn ‘Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) as well as Mujahid stated in one narration that Ghassaq here is the extremely cold drink. It is supported by Allah’s saying,
“They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink, except scalding water and Ghassaq.” (Al-Naba’ (78): 24-25)
Therefore, he excluded Ghassaq from coolness, and scalding water from drinks. It is said that Ghassaq is the foul cold drink, and that it is not an Arabic word. Others say that it is an Arab word derived from the verb ‘Ghasaq (to become dark)’, and that the word ‘Ghasiq’ refers to the night because of its cold.
Third Type: Sadid (Pus)
Mujahid said regarding the verse,
“He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it.” (Ibrahim (14): 16)
‘Meaning pus and blood.’
Qatadah said: ‘[This verse] refers to what flows from between his flesh and skin.’ Allah said:
“He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it.” (Ibrahim (14): 16)
Do you have power or endurance for such [punishment]? ObeyingAllah is easier for you people,so obeyAllah and His Messenger.’ Imam Ahmad and Tirmidhi (Imam Ahmad in his Musnad\ 5/265 and Tirmidhi, #2586) mentioned the hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Umamah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger (pbuh) spoke about the verses,
“…and he will be given a drink of purulent water. He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it… “ (Ibrahim (14): 16-17)
He said: “It will be brought toward his mouth and he will detest it,so whenever it is brought closer to him it will melt his face and the skin of his head will fall into it. Then whenever he drinks from it, his bowels will be served until it comes out from his anus. Allah, the Blessed and Exalted said:
“…and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines. “ (Muhammad (47): 15)
and He said:
“…and if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil that scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink … (Al-Kahf(18): 29)
Abu Yahya Al-Qattan conveyed from Mujahid that Ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhuma) said: ‘In Hell-fire, there are valleys of pus, from which jugs are filled and then poured into their mouths.’
It is stated in Sahih Muslim, on the authority ofJabir (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Verily Allah made a covenant to those who drank intoxicants to make them drink the Mud of Madness.” They said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger, what is the mud of madness?’ He (pbuh) replied, “It is the sweat of the inhabitants of Hell or the discharge of the inhabitants of Hell.” (Muslim, #2002, Ahmad in his Musnad\ 2/178, 179, Ibn Majah, #3377 and Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, #1378)
Imam Ahmad, Al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban, in his Sahih, have similarly mentioned, as narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As, except that it restricts such punishment until one drinks intoxicants for the fourth time. In some versions, the Messenger referred to ‘the Fountain of Madness.’
Al-Tirmidhi stated similarly as narrated on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Amr (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “From the river of madness.” He (Abdullah) was asked, ‘O Abu Abdu’l-Rahman! What is the river of madness?’ He said: ‘A river of the pus of Hell-fire inhabitants.’ (Tirmidhi, #1863 and he graded this narration as hasan. Al-Albani said in his Sahih al-]ami’, #6188. It is sahih)
Abu Dawud stated similarly as narrated on the authority of (Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma), that the Messenger (pbuh) said: “From the clay of madness.” He was asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! What is the clay of madness?” He said: “The pus of Hell-fire inhabitants.” He also said in another version, “What comes out of the stink and pus of Hell-fire inhabitants.” (Abu Dawud, #3680 and he said it is sahih and Al-Albani also said in his Sahih al-]ami, #4424 that it is sahih)
Imam Ahmad stated hadiths with a similar meaning from Abu Dharr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) and Asma’ bint Yazid (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) from the Prophet (pbuh).
Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, stated the hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Musa (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever dies as an addict of wine, will be made to drink from the river of Ghutah.” He was asked, ‘What is the river of Ghutah?’ He (pbuh) said: “A river that streams out of prostitutes’ private parts, which will torment the inhabitants of Hell-fire with the stink of their private parts.”
We have already stated the hadith narrated by ‘Amr Ibn Shu’ayb, from his father, from his grandfather, in which the Prophet (pbuh) talked about the arrogant, and said therein, “They will be made to drink from the discharge of Hell-fire inhabitants, the clay of madness.”
Fourth Type:Water like Murky Oil (muhl)
Imam Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi stated the hadith narrated by Darraj, from Abu’l Haytham, on the authority of Abu Sa’id (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (pbuh) said about the phrase,
“like murky oil”, (Al-Kahf (18): 29)
“Like muddy oil, when it is brought closer to him, the skin of his face falls therein.” (Imam Ahmad in his Musnad 3/71 and Al-Tirmidhi, #2584. It’s chain is weak. )
Atiyyah reports that Ibn ‘Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) was asked about the meaning of the verse,
“like murky oil”
and he said: ‘Thick like murky oil.’
‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Ibn (Abbas (radiAllahu ‘anhuma) said: ‘Black like murky oil.’ Such was the view of Sa’id Ibn Jubayr and others.
Al-Dahhak said that Ibn Mas‘ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) melted some silver from the Treasury and then sent for the people in the masjid saying, ‘Whoever wants to look at the water like murky oil should look at this.’
Mujahid said regarding the verse,
‘“water like murky oil”
like pus and blood, black like murky oil.’
Tabarani stated the hadith conveyed by Tammam Ibn Najih, on the authority of Al-Hasan (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), from Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “If a glass was filled from the scalding water of Hell-fire and was placed in the middle of the earth, its stink and heat would befoul what is between the east and the west.” (Al-Haythami said in al-Majma’, 10/387 that Tammam Ibn Najih is considered weak)
In the sermon of Al-Awza’i to Al-Mansur, he said: ‘I learned that Jibrll ( ‘alayhis-salam) told the Prophet (pbuh), “If a portion from the drinks of Hell-fire was spilled in the water of the earth, it would kill any who tastes it. ‘“
In the past, someone went out for a trip and passed by grapes planted in a village called Tizanabadh, where wine is pressed. So he started singing:
Tizanabadh has grapes; each time I pass by them,
I marvel at those who drink water.
Then, someone replied to him:
Hell-fire has water; which no one puts in his throat and have any
intestines left in his abdomen.
Section Three:
Early Predecessors Eating being Embittered upon Remembering the Food of Hell-fire
Many pious early Muslims had their worldly eating and drinking embittered when remembering the food of the inhabitants of Hell-fire, so much so that they refrained from eating altogether sometime. Imam Ahmad used to say, ‘Fear prevents me from eating and drinking, and makes me lose my appetite.’
Shu’bah narrated that Sa’d Ibn Ibrahim said: “Abdu’l-Rahman Ibn Awf (radijAllahu ‘anhu) had his dinner brought to him after fasting through the day, so he recited the verses,
“Indeed, with Us [for them] are shackles and burning fire, And food that chokes and a painful punishment. “ (Al-Muzzammil (73): 12-13)
He kept crying until the food was taken away, and he did not eat even after fasting through the day.’ ( Stated by Al-Jawzajam.)
Ibn Abi Dunya narrated through Yunus, from Al-Hasan, that two men met each other, and one said to the other, ‘I can see that your colour has changed and your body has become slender; why is that?’ He said: ‘Three days ago I was fasting, and when I was brought dinner, this verse came to mind
“…and he will be given a drink of purulent water. He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it. And death will come to him from everywhere, but he is not to die. And before him is a massive punishment.” (Ibrahim (14): 16-17)
Thus, I could not eat and continued fasting to the next day.When I was brought dinner,it came to me once more,so Istill could not eat. Thus, I have been fasting for three days.’The other man said: ‘(This verse] did the same to me.’
Ibn Abi Dunya also narrated from Khulayd Ibn Hasan Al-Hajari that Al-Hasan was fasting and was brought dinner when this verse came to his mind,
“Indeed, with Us [for them] are shackles and burning fire, And food that chokes and a painful punishment. “ (Al-Muzzammil (73): 12-13)
His hand contracted and he said: ‘Take it away.’ He continued fasting through the next day, and in the evening, when he was brought his dinner, he was reminded of it once again and he said:‘Take it away.’ I [the narrator] told him, ‘O Abu Sa’id! You will become weak and perish.’ He continued fasting to the third day, so his son went to Yahya Al-Baka’, Thabit Al-Banani and Yazid Al-Dhabbi and said: ‘Save my father, for he is going to perish,’so they did not leave him until they made him drink some water.
He also narrated that Salih Al-Marri said: “Ata’ Al-Sulami had harmed himself until he became weak. I told him, ‘You have harmed yourself, and I will get you something,so do not reject my gift.’ He said: ‘Do it then.’ I therefore bought the finest flour he could find and butter oil, and I prepared a shuraybah,sweetened it and sent it with my son along with a jug of water. I told him, ‘Do not leave him until he drinks it.’ He returned and said:‘He drank it.’ The next day, I made him a similar one and sent it with my son, but he returned with it, undrunk. I went to him and blamed him saying,‘Glory is for Allah!’ (Used for exclamation.) Why did you reject my gift if it helps and gives you strength for prayer and the remembrance of Allah?’ When he saw that I got angry over this, he said: ‘O Abu Bishr! Do not be angry. By Allah, I drank it the first time you sent it. Then the next day, I tried to get myself to swallow it, but could not do it. Whenever I wanted to drink it, I remembered this verse,
“He will gulpit but will hardly [be able to] swallow it. And death will come to him from everywhere, but he is not to die. And before him is a massive punishment.” (Ibrahim (14):17)
Salih cried upon hearing this and said (to himself), ‘How far apart are you from me!’
Imam Ahmad narrated from Salih Al-Marri that ‘Ata’Al-Sulami said: ‘Whenever I remember Hell-fire, I lose appetite for food and drink.’
‘Abdullah, the son of Imam Ahmad, narrated that Murajja Ibn Wada’ah said: ‘I went with Salih Al-Marri and we entered upon ‘Ata’ Al-Sulami,so we said to him, “O ‘Ata’! You refrained from eating and drinking.’ He said: ‘Whenever I remember the pus of Hell-fire inhabitants, I lose my appetite for eating and drinking.”
Ibn Abi Dunya narrated [through a chain of narrators] that ‘Abdu’l-Mu’min Al-Sa’igh said: ‘I once invited Rabah Al-Qaysi to my house, so he came late into the night. I brought him food and he ate some of it. I told him, ‘Have some more, for I do not think you are full yet.’ He then yelled in a matter that frightened me and said:“How can I fill my stomach in this life when the Zaqqum tree is ahead of me as food for the sinful!” I then took the food away and said: “You are much far ahead of us.’
He also narrated [through a chain of narrators] from Abu Sa’id that ‘Ubayd Allah Ibn Al-Walid Al-Tayml entered upon Habbayah Al-Taymiyah, and she offered him some butter oil, bread and honey. He said:’O Habbayah! Do you not fear that after this could be the poisonous, thorny plant?’ ( Referring to the verse Al-Ghashiyah: 6 of the Qur’an.) Thereupon, he kept weeping and she kept weeping until he left without eating anything.
He also narrated [through a chain of narrators] that Suwar Ibn (Abdullah Al-Quray’i said: ‘We were with ‘Umar Ibn Dirham on the coast, and he used to only eat in the fore-dawn. We brought some food, and as he was raising the food to his mouth, he heard someone praying and reciting the verse,
“Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum is food for the sinful. Like murky oil,it boils within bellies, like the boiling of scalding water. “ (Al-Dukhan (44): 43-46)
He fell unconscious and the morsel fell from his hand. He did not regain consciousness until after dawn. He remained in that state for seven days, not eating anything. Whenever food was presented to him, he remembered the verse, and got up without eating anything. His companions gathered around him and said: ‘“Glory be to Allah! You will kill yourself,’ and they did not leave him until he ate something.’
He also narrated [through a chain of narrators] that Muhammad Ibn Suwayd said: ‘Tawus had two routes to get home from the masjid, one upon which was a Rawwas.’(Rawwas is a merchant who sells cooked heads of sheep and cows.) After the Maghrib prayer, if he took the route with the Rawwas, he did not have dinner.When he was asked about this he said:‘Whenever I see these grim heads, I cannot eat.’Malik stated this story fromTawus and said:‘He was referring to the verse,
“…and they therein will have taut smiles. “ (Al-Muminun (23): 104)
Ibn Abl Dunya also narrated [through a chain of narrators] that ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) drank some cold water, so he wept intensely. When asked, ‘Why do you weep?’ He said: ‘I remembered a verse from the Book of Allah,
“And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire… “ (Saba’ (43): 54)
I realised that the inhabitants of Hell-fire do not desire anything as much as cold water. Allah Almighty said,
“Pour upon us some water or from whatever Allah has provided you. “ (Al-A’raf(7): 50 – How the inhabitants of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of Paradise )
It is narrated that Salam Ibn Abu Mutf said:‘Al-Hasan was given a cup of water to break his fasting, when he brought it closer to his mouth, he wept and said: ‘I remembered the wish of the inhabitants of Hell-fire and their saying,
“Pour uponussome water or from whatever Allah has provided you.”
I also remembered the response,
“Indeed, Allah has forbidden them both to the disbelievers. “ (Ibrahim (14): 17)
It is narrated that ‘Abdu’l-Malik Ibn Marwan drank cold water, and he interrupted his drinking and wept. People asked, ‘Why do you weep, O Amir Al-Mu’minin?’ He said: ‘I remembered the thirst of the Day of Judgment, and remembered the inhabitants of Hell-fire and how they are deprived of cold drinks.’ Then he recited the verse,
“He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow it … “ (Ibrahim (14): 17)
Imam Ahmad narrated [through a chain of narrators] that Ibrahim Al-Nakh‘i said: ‘Whenever I recite this verse, it recalls to mind chilled drinks.” He then recited the verse,
“And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire…” (Saba’ (34): 54)
Muhammad Ibn Mus’ab Al- ‘Abid asked for water, and he heard the barradah. (A leather skinned container for cooling water) He yelled at himself saying, ‘Where will you find a barradah in Hell-fire?’ Then he recited the verse,
“…And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil… “ (Al-Kahf (18): 29)
By Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
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