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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Manazel Al-akherah Chapter -xi- Hell (dozakh) Hell is a valley whose depth cannot be imegined, and the fire of Allah’s wrath is blazing therein. It can also be called the prison of the hereafter. In it lies different types of punishments which cannot be perceived by a man’s intellect. In fact it is opposite to paradise wherein are different types of blessings and pleasures. But in hell there is hardship, restlessness and humiliation.

We quote here some of the verses of the Qur’an which throw ligt on these punishments. Food & Drink of the people of hell Allah says, “Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie! Most surely eat of a treeof zaqqom”. (Surah-al-Waqe’ah : 51,52) It is tree which grows in the pit of hell, it’s fruits being ugly and bitter. It is (poisonous) like the fang of a snake, and the touch of it makes men fear. This is the food of the dwellers of hell.

“And fill (your) bellies with it, then drink over it of boiling water”. (Surah-al-Waqe’ah : 53, 54) It is related that one of the punishments by Allah for the people of hell will be intense thirst. Then after a long time hot boiling water mixed with pus will be given to them, and they will drink it because of extreme thirst. “And who are made to drink boiling water, so it rend their bowels asunde”.

(Surah-al- Mohammad : 15) It is related that if a drop of that water be put on a mountain (in this world), it will be reduced to dust. “And drink as drinks the thirsty camels”. (Surah-al-Waqe’ah: 55). They will drink that water liter like a camel who is thirsty from many days, and drinks whilst shivering. Heem (the water referred to in this verse) is the plural of Aheem’ which means a camel suffering from a disease.

This disease is equivalent to dropsy, which usually happens to a camel, in which it keeps drinking water but is not satiated until it dies. this will be the state of the dwellers of hell. “This is their entertainment on the day of requital”. (Surah-al-Waqe’an: 56) This ‘zaqqoom’ and ‘Hameem’ will be given to them in Qayamat as an introduction to Allah’s wrath. And whatever is destined in hell (for the disbelievers) is far more harsh and beyond descriprion.

“Surely the tree of the zaqqoom, is the food of the sinful, like dregs of oil, it shall boil in (their) bellies, like the boiling of hot water”. (Surah-ad- Dukhan : 43- 46). And because of it the intestines and stomach will melt.