THE ENORMITY OF THE HELL DWELLERS’ SIZE AND THEIR UGLY APPEARANCE
The Enormity of the Hell Dwellers’ Size and their Ugly Appearance
Al-Bukhari stated the hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The distance between the two shoulders of the disbeliever in Hell will be a three-day journey for a swift rider.” (Bukhari, #6551 and Muslim, #2582)
Muslim also stated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The molar tooth of a disbeliever or the canine teeth of a disbeliever will be like [Mount] Uhud and the thickness of his skin a three night’s journey. ‘’ (Muslim, #2851 and Tirmidhi, #2580, 2581 and 2582)
Al-Hakim stated the hadith Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The molar tooth of an disbeliever will be like [Mount] Uhud, the width of his skin is seventy forearm lengths, his upper arm is like Al-Bayda’, his thigh is like Warqan and the width of his seat in Hell-fire is like the distance between me and Al-Rabadha.” (Al-Bayda is a place northeast of Madinah, Warqan is a black mountain southwest of, and Al-Rabdha is a village outside of Madinah, which lies at a three-day ride’s distance from Madinah.), (Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 4/595 1786 and Al-Albani said in his Sahih al-]ami’, #5540, that the hadith is sahih.)
Imam Ahmad also stated Abu Hurayrah’s hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The molar tooth of a disbeliever on the Day of Judgment will be like [Mount] Uhud, his thigh is like Al-Bayda’, the width of his seat in Hell-fire is like the distance between Qadid (Qadid is a location between Makkah and Madinah.) and Makkah and the thickness of his skin is forty-two lengths of a strong man’s forearm.” (Ahmad in his Musnad, 2/334, 537, Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 4/595 and it is a sahih hadith.)
Tirmidhi also stated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The molar tooth of a disbeliever on the Day of Judgment will be like [Mount] Uhud, his thigh is like Al-Bayda’, the width of his seat in Hell-fire is a three-day journey,like Al-Rabadha” Al-Tirmidhi added, “The phrase ‘Like Al-Rabadha’ means like the distance between Madinah and Al-Rabadha, and Al-Bayda is a mountain.” (Tirmidhi, #2581, Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 4/595 and it is a sahih hadith.)
He also stated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger (pbuh) said: “The thickness of the disbeliever’s skin is forty-two forearm lengths, his molar tooth is like [Mount] Uhud and the width of his seat in Hell-fire is like the distance between Makkah and Madinah.” (Tirmidhi, #2581, Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 4/595 and it is a sahih hadith.)
Imam Ahmad stated the hadith narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The size of the inhabitants of Hell-fire become enlarged, so much so that the distance between his earlobe and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years. “ (Ahmad in his Musnad, 2/26)
Imam Ahmad and Al-Hakim stated Abu Sard’s (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The width of the disbeliever’s seat in Hell-fire is a three- day journey. Each molar tooth of his is like [Mount] Uhud, his thigh is like Warqan and his skin, without his flesh and bones, is forty forearm lengths wide. “ (Ahmad in his Musnad’ 3/29 and Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 4/598)
Ibn Majah stated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri’s (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The disbeliever’s build grows larger, so much so that his molar tooth becomes larger than [Mount] Uhud and the ratio of his body to his molar tooth is like the ratio of the body of one of you to his molar tooth. “ (Ibn Majah, #4322 see al-Ahadith al-Sahihah, #1601)
Al-Bazzar stated the hadith narrated on the authority of Thawban (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The disbeliever’s molar tooth is like Mount Uhud, and the thickness of his skin is forty lengths of a strong man’s forearm. “ (Al-Albani said in is sahih in his Sahih al-]ami’, #3783)
Tabarani and others also stated on the authority of Al-Miqdam Ibn Mu`id Yakrub (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The disbeliever’s build grows large until the thickness of his skin reaches forty ba’s (The ba is the range of the outstretched arms.) , and until his canine tooth is the size of Mount Uhud.”
Tabarani also stated on the authority of Al-Miqdam (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Those who are among the inhabitants of Hell have their build size increased until they are the size of mountains.”
Zayd Ibn Arqam (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘The resident of Hellfire grows in his build until his molar tooth is the size of Mount Uhud. Imam Ahmad stated it as a mawquf (Hadith mawquf is a narration whose chain of narrators is continuous until the Companion of the Prophet ) hadith. (Ahmad in his Musnad, 4/396 and Al-Albani said it is sahih; see al-Ahadith al-Sahihah, #1601)
Ibn ‘Abbas (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) said: ‘Between the earlobe of one of them and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years and valleys of pus and blood.’ He was asked, ‘You mean rivers? ‘ He said: ‘No. Valleys!’
‘Amr Ibn Maymun said: ‘From between the disbeliever’s skin and flesh, the noise of worms is heard like a beast’s roar. ‘
Imam Ahmad and Tirmidhi stated on the authority of Ibn Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) hadith, that the Messenger (pbuh) said: ”The disbeliever drags his tongue behind him, on the Day of Judgment, extending over two leagues, and having people step on it.” (Ahmad in his Musnad, 2/92 and Tirmidhi, #2583.)
Similar sayings were narrated regarding the disobedient believers as well.Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim stated the hadith narrated on the authority of Al-Harith Ibn Qays (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Among my nation are some who will be made huge for the Fire until they fill one of its corners.” (Ahmad in his Musnad, 4/212, 313, Ibn Majah, #4323 and Hakim in his al-Mustadrak,1/1.)
Tabarani also narrated from Abu Ghannam Al-Kala’i, that Abu Ghasan Al-Dhabbi said: ‘Abu Hurayrah told me, ‘Do you know ‘Abdullah Ibn Khaddash? For I heard the Messenger (pbuh) say, “His thigh in Hell-fire is the size of Mount Uhud, and his molar tooth is the size of Al-Bayda’” I asked, ‘Why so, O Allah’s Messenger?’ He said: ‘He was disobedient to his parents.’”
Aghlab Ibn Tamim,who is considered a weak narrator, narrated from Thabit Ibn Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The unjust ruler is brought on the Day of Judgment, and his subjects fight with him and overpower him,saying, ‘Take and occupy a corner of Hell-fire on our behalf.”
Al-Khallal stated in his KitabAl-Sunnah from Al-Hakam Ibn Al-A’raj that Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘One grows larger in Hell-fire until his width is a seven-day journey and his molar tooth is the size of Mount Uhud. The lips are (broiled) unto their chests, despised; they crowd one another in Hell-fire.’
Miskin narrated from Hawshab that Al-Hasan mentioned inhabitants of Hell-fire and said: ‘They are made as huge for Hell-fire as a three-day and three-night journey for the swift rider. The canine tooth of each of them is like tall palm trees, and his backside is like a mountain pass.Their hands are chained to their necks, and their heads and feet are bound together. Angels strike their faces and their backs and drive them to Hell-fire. Each of them will plead with the Angel, ‘Show me mercy!’ With the reply being, ‘How willI show you mercy when the Most Merciful of the merciful did not?’
Section One:
Understanding the Verse, “The Fire will Burn their faces, and they therein mil have lips distorted in pain”
Allah, the Almighty said:
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain. “ (Mu’minun (23): 104)
Darraj narrated from Abu’l-Haytham, on the authority of Abu Sa’id (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“…and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain …” (Mu’minun (23): 104)
He will be broiled by the Fire, such that his upper lip will shrink until it reaches the middle of his head, and his lower lip will droop until it is near his navel.” Stated by Imam Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi, and they both said it is authentic. (Tirmidhi, #3175, Ahmad in his Musnad, 3/88, and and Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 2/395)
It is narrated that Ibn Mas( ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said regarding the verse,
“…and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain…”
It is, ‘Like the gloom of a cooked head.’It is also narrated that he said:‘Like the gloom of a scorched head;their teeth have emerged and their lips have shriveled.’ It is also narrated that he said: ‘Did you not see the scorched head having its lips shrunk and its teeth revealed?’
Al-Khallal stated in his Kitah Al-Sunnah from Al-Hakam Ibn Al-A ( raj that Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ( anhu) said: ‘One grows larger in Hell-fire until his width is a seven-day journey and his molar tooth is the size of Mount Uhud. Their lips (hang down) to their chests, despised, and they crowd one another in Hell-fire.’
Abu Bakr Ibn ‘Ayyash narrated 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.’ Abu Bakr said: “When I told this to Sarai’ Al-MakkI, he said:‘I saw him stop and ponder there.”
Abu Ghandar Al-Dimashqi said:“When ‘Uwayssawgrilled heads (of sheep), he would remember the verse,
“The Fire will burn their faces, and therein a mountain pass.Their hands are chained to their necks, and their heads and feet are bound together. Angels strike their faces and their backs and drive them to Hell-fire. Each of them will plead with the Angel,’Show me mercy!’ With the reply being, ‘How willI show you mercy when the Most Merciful of the merciful did not?’
Section One:
Understanding the Verse, “The Fire will Burn their faces, and they therein will have lips distorted in pain”
Allah, the Almighty said:
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain. “ (Mu’minun (23): 104)
Darraj narrated from Abu’l-Haytham, on the authority of Abu Sa’id (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“…and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain…” (Mu’minun (23): 104)
He will be broiled by the Fire,such that his upper lip will shrink until it reaches the middle of his head, and his lower lip will droop until it is near his navel.” Stated by Imam Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi, and they both said it is authentic. (Tirmidhi, #3175, Ahmad in his Musnad, 3/88, and and Hakim in his al-Mustadrak, 2/39)
It is narrated that Ibn Mas’ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said regarding the verse,
“…and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain…”
It is,’Like the gloom of a cooked head.’It is also narrated that he said: ‘Like the gloom of a scorched head; their teeth have emerged and their lips have shriveled.’It is also narrated that he said: ‘Did you not see the scorched head having its lips shrunk and its teeth revealed?’
Al-Khallal stated in his Kitab Al-Sunnah from Al-Hakam Ibn Al-A’raj that Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ( anhu) said: ‘One grows larger in Hell-fire until his width is a seven-day journey and his molar tooth is the size of Mount Uhud. Their lips (hang down) to their chests, despised, and they crowd one another in Hell-fire.’
Abu Bakr Ibn ‘Ayyash narrated 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.’ Abu Bakr said: “When I told this to Sarai’ Al-Makki, he said: ‘I saw him stop and ponder there.”
Abu Ghandar Al-Dimashqi said:”When ‘Uways saw grilled heads (of sheep), he would remember the verse,
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they therein will have lips distorted in [servere] pain.”
and faint, so much so that passers-by would think he is crazy.’ This was stated by Ibn Abi Dunya and others.
Al-Asma‘i narrated that Al-Saqr Ibn Habib said: “Ibn Sireen passed by a Rawwas who had put a head out on display, and he fell unconscious.
Section Two:
Understanding the Verse, “Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment”
Allah, The Almighty said:
“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses—We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. “ (Al-Nisa (4): 56)
Nafi (The servant of Yusuf Al-Salami) narrated from Nafi that Ibn Umar (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) said: ‘Aman recited this verse in the presence of Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu),
“Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.”
Thereupon ‘Umar (radiYAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Repeat it again’, and he did. Mu’adh Ibn jabal (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘I know its interpretation. It (the skin) is replaced a hundred times each hour.’ Hearing this, ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘This is what I heard from the Messenger (pbuh).”’ Stated by Ibn Abl Hatim and Ibn Mardawiyah.
Ibn Mardawiyah also stated what is narrated through Nafi Abu Hurmuz from Nafi that Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: “A man recited this verse in the presence of TJmar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu),
“Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.”
Thereupon Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Repeat it again’, while Ka‘b was there. Ka’b (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘O Amir Al-Mu’minin, I know the interpretation of this verse, as I have recited it before (embracing) Islam.’ ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) noted, ‘Say it, O Ka’b. If your interpretation is the same as the one I heard from the Messenger (pbuh), we will believe you, otherwise we will disregard it.’ He said: “I have recited as,
“Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.”
a hundred and twenty times each hour.’”
‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘This is what I heard from the Messenger (pbuh).’ Naff Abu Hurmuz is a very weak narrator, and he is known to some hadith masters—including Ibn ‘Adi—as Nafi the slave of Yusuf Al-Salami, and some of them said: “They are two different people, and both of them are weak narrators.”
Al-Rabi narrated from Al-Fadl Al-Ruqashi that, “Umar asked Ka’b about this verse and he said: ‘His skin is burnt and replaced a hundred thousand times each hour or thereabouts.’ And Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘You are correct!” The chain of narrators for this statement is severed.
Thuwayr Ibn Abu Fakhinah, who is a weak narrator, narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (radi Allahu ‘anhuma) said regarding this verse, ‘Every time their skin is burnt, they are replaced with skin that is white as paper sheets.’ This was stated by Ibn Abi Hatim.
He also stated from Yahya Ibn Yazid Al-Hadrami that he heard, in interpretation of this verse, ‘Allah makes a hundred skin for the disbeliever, between each two is a form of punishment.’
It is narrated that Hisham Ibn Al-Hasan said regarding this verse, ‘The Fire eats them seventy thousand times each day. Every time it eats them, they are told, ‘Return,’ and they return as they were.’
It is narrated that Al-Rabi Ibn Anas said: ‘It is written in the first book that the [thickness of the] skin of each of them is forty forearm lengths, his tooth is ninety forearm length, his belly is big enough to accommodate a mountain, and whenever the Fire eats their skin, they are replaced with new ones.’
Section Three:
Regarding their Faces Turning Black and their Bodies Growing Large
Al-Tirmidhi stated the hadith narrated by Al-Suddi from his father, from Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (pbuh) said regarding the saying of Allah, Most High,
“The Day when We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imam” (Al-Isra’ (17): 71)
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “One of you will be called out to be given his record in his right hand, he will be grown in his body to sixty forearm-lengths, his face will be whitened, and a crown of sparkling pearls will be placed upon his head. So he will go to his companions, who can see him from afar, and they will say, ‘O Allah! Bring this one to us, and let us be blessed by him.’ Until he reaches them, and says to them, ‘Receive the good news! For each man among you shall be the likes of this.’” He(pbuh) added, “As for the disbeliever, then his face shall be blackened, he will be grown in his body to sixty forearm-lengths in the image of Adam, he will be given a crown, and his companions will see him and say, ‘We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this one. O Allah! Do not bring this one to us.’” He said: “So when he reaches them, they say, ‘O Allah! Take him away’ so they will be told, ‘May Allah cast you away! Indeed for each man among you is the likes of this.’”
Tirmidhi said: “This hadith is hasan gharib.” (Tirmidhi, #3135 and he said: ‘hasan ghrib: A hadith with a good chain of narrators that has within it, a single narrator.’)
‘Ata’ Ibn Yassar narrated that Ka’b said: ‘The leader in evil is brought forth and told, ‘Answer your Lord’, so he is taken to his Lord but denied an audience and commanded to enter Hell-fire. Thereupon, he is shown his place and the places of his companions therein and is told,’This is the place of such-and-such. This is the place of so-and-so.’ He sees the humiliation that Allah prepared for them, and finds his place to be even worse than theirs,so his face turns black, his eyes turn blue and a cap of fire is placed on his head. He goes out, and no groups of people see him except ask Allah for refuge from him. He reaches his companions who used to join him in evil (on earth) and help him therein, and he keeps telling them what Allah prepared for them in Hell-fire, until their faces turn black as his did. People recognise them by the blackness of their faces and say ‘These are inhabitants of Hell-fire.” Stated by Abu Nu’aym and others. All this precedes their entrance to Hell-fire. After they enter, their bodies grow large in size as previously stated.
As for their age, it is the same as the age of the inhabitants of Paradise they never go beyond. Darraj narrated from Abu’l Haytham, from Abu Sa’id, that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever of the people (destined for) Paradise dies, young or old, they shall be brought back in Paradise thirty years old, they will not increase in that ever, and likewise the people of the Fire.” It is stated by Tirmidhi. Others have stated another version where the Prophet (pbuh) said: “thirty-three years old.” (Tirmidhi, #2565)
Tabarani stated from Salim Ibn ‘Amir that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The two-faced in this life will come on the Day of Judgment with two faces of fire.”
Section Four:
Regarding Those whose Shapes are Defaced into Ugly Images
The shapes of some of them are defaced into ugly images. It is stated in the Sahih (Bukhari, #3350) that when Ibrahim (alayhi as-salam) intercedes for his father, he is told, “O Ibrahim! Look and see what is behind you.” He will find a spotted male Hyena, which is then taken by its hind legs and thrown in Hellfire.
Abu’l-Aliyah said in interpreting the verse,
“Then We return him to the lowest of the low.” (Al-Tin (95): 5)
Meaning in Hell-fire in the form of a swine, as stated by Ibn Abi Hatim.
Ibn Mas’ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: ‘If Allah Almighty willed not to let any of them out, He would change their images and colours so that none of them are recognisable.’ We will mention his saying in full later if Allah Wills.
Section Five:
Regarding the Stink of the Hell-fire Inhabitants
Al-Awza’i said in his sermon to Al-Mansur,‘1 heard that Jibrll told the Prophet (pbuh), “If a man was put in Hell-fire and then let out, the inhabitants of the Earth would perish from his stink and deformation’” This was also narrated by Bakr Ibn Khunays, from (Abdu’l-Malik Al-Jasri, from Al-Hasan, from the Prophet (pbuh) as a hadith mursal. (Hadith mursal is a hadith for which the first person in the chain of narrators [the Companion who heard from the Prophet and reported to the Follower] is unknown. )
Ibn Luhay’ah narrated from Abu Qabil, from ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr who said: “If a man of this world was put in Hell-fire and then let out, the people of this world would die from his ugliness and stink.” It is reported by Ibn Abi Dunya.
He also stated that Al-Nadr Ibn Isma‘il said: ‘Al-Rabi Ibn Abu Rashid passed by a man who was physically handicapped, so he sat down and began to praise Allah and weep. Someone passed by him and asked, ‘Why do you cry, may Allah show you mercy?’ He replied, ‘I remembered the inhabitants of Paradise and Hell, so I related the healthy with people of Paradise and the handicapped with the people of Hell and this made me weep.”
By Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
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