Description:
More conversations that will take place between and amongst the people of Paradise and the dwellers of the Hellfire
Conversations between the people of Paradise and the people of Hell
The dialogue that takes
place between the people of Paradise and the people whose abode is the Hellfire
is mentioned in several places in the Quran. When we read and ponder over
these verses it is incumbent upon us to reflect and try to learn something from
the despair of those who face the horrors of hell. We should taste their fear
and learn from their mistakes. Reading about them in the Quran allows us to
experience something of their pain but it also allows us to see how easily we can
avoid this destination.
In Paradise they will ask one another about the guilty (polytheists,
criminals, and disbelievers), (and they will ask them), “What has caused you to
enter Hell?” They will say: “We were not of those who used to offer the prayer,
nor did we feed the poor; and we used to talk falsehood (all that which God
hated) with vain talkers and we used to belie the Day of Recompense, until
there came to us (the death) that is certain.” (Quran 74:40-47)
The dwellers of Paradise will call out to the dwellers of
Hell: “We have found that what our Lord promised us is true. Have you found
that what your Lord promised you is true?” They will say: “Yes, we have!”... (Quran
7:44)
The dwellers of Hell will call out to the dwellers of
Paradise: “Throw down some water to us, or some of what Allah has provided you
with.” They will say: “God has forbidden them to the disbelievers.” (Quran 7:
50)
It is clear that the suffering of those in Hell is
increased by them being able to see and hear the blessings bestowed upon the
dwellers of Paradise.
Conversations the dwellers of Paradise have between themselves
The Words of God, in the Quran, tell us that the
dwellers of Paradise will ask each other about their past lives.
“And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other. They
will say, “Aforetime we were afraid with our families [of the punishment of God],
but God has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire.”
(Quran 52:25-27)
The majority of verses describing the conversations
amongst the people of Paradise confirm that they will continue their righteous
behaviour by praising and thanking God for the blessings He has bestowed upon
them. Although they had believed the promise of God to be true and thus
behaved accordingly, the supreme magnificence of Paradise overwhelms them with
gratitude.
And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to God Who
has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving,
Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense). Who, out of His
Grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever, where toil will touch us
not nor weariness will touch us.” (Quran 35:34-35)
And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to God Who
has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can
dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent is the reward of those who
labour!” (Quran 39:74)
Conversations the People of the Hellfire have amongst themselves
When the people destined to spend eternity in the
Hellfire have been herded into the fire, they will be shocked that the people
or idols they had trusted and followed are not able to help them. The leaders,
who are called the arrogant in the Quran, admit to their weaker followers that
they were themselves astray. Thus anyone who followed them, followed them
into a life bereft of mercy.
And they will turn on one another accusingly. They will say: “You
came to us from a position of power [i.e. ordered us with polytheism, and stopped
us from the truth].” They will reply: “No! It was you who would not believe -
we had no authority over you - and you were already exceeding all limits. Our
Lord’s sentence on us is just and we must all taste the punishment. We led you
astray as we ourselves were astray.” (Quran 37:27-32)
And they all shall appear before Allah (on the Day of
Resurrection); then the weak will say to those who were arrogant, “Verily, we
were following you; can you avail us anything against God’s Torment?” They will
say: “Had God guided us, we would have guided you. It makes no difference to
us (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience; there is no
place of refuge for us.” (Quran 14:21)
And when the matter is decided, that is the matter of
who is destined for Paradise and who is destined for Hell, the Hellfire’s most
infamous, notorious occupant, Satan himself will reveal a great truth. It is a
truth and scenario that God revealed to us in the Quran, but one that many
people did not take seriously. That he, Satan, was a liar. Satan’s promises
were never going to be fulfilled, his promises were empty and he himself
believed in God.
And Satan will say when the matter has been decided: “Verily,
God promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed
you. I had no authority over you except to call you, and you responded to my
call. So do not blame me but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you
help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with
God (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful
torment for the wrong-doers.” (Quran 14:22)
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