The Death of the People of Hell

The Death of the People of Hell




Q: Will
anyone die in Hell? Is there any saheeh hadeeth to that effect or not?
If it is true, then what is the nature of this death, and to whom will
it happen?

A: It was reported
in Saheeh Muslim that Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: «As for the people of Hell, they
are its inhabitants, and they neither live therein nor die. But there
are people who will enter Hell because of their sins – or mistakes – so
Allaah will cause them to die once, then when they become like coal, He
will give permission for intercession (for them). They will be brought
group by group to the rivers of Paradise. Then it will be said: "O
people of Paradise! Pour water on them." Then they will grow like seeds
(i.e., the seeds of herbs and aromatic plants, or it was said, small
plants that grow in between grasses, or it may mean wheat)»"

The scholars said: "What is meant by the people of Hell are its kaafir
inhabitants, who will never come out of it and never die at all.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allaah), for them will be
the Fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them
so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do
We requite every disbeliever!" [Faatir 35:36].

{وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا
يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا
ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي كُلَّ كَفُورٍ}
Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Kafarū Lahum Nāru Jahannama Lā
Yuqđá `Alayhim Fayamūtū Wa Lā Yukhaffafu `Anhum Min `Adhābihā
Kadhālika Najzī Kulla Kafūrin

As for the sinners among those who believe in the Oneness of Allaah,
those who have committed major sins (kabaa’ir), they will be punished in
accordance with the degree of their sins for a period decreed by
Allaah, then they will die a lesser death such that they no longer feel
anything, for a period decreed by Allaah. Then they will be brought out
dead, turned into coals and carried like luggage, and they will be
thrown into the rivers of Paradise and the water of life will be poured
over them. Then they will grow, like wheat at first, but quickly, like
herbs. Then they will get stronger and be fully formed, and will be
taken to their homes in Paradise. And Allaah knows best.


Imaam Aboo Zakariyyaa Yahyaa Ibn Sharaf an-Nawawee rahimahullaah
From Fatawaa al-Imaam an-Nawawee, (p. 84)