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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Fast in the Month of Ramadhan Chapter 16 : a Glance At Paradise and Hell - 2 2) A Description of Hell Muslims observe the fast so that they may be spared the torment of hell. What kind of place is hell, and what sort of torment? Books have been written discussing only this subject.

The Holy Qur’an contains vivid descriptions of the psychological and physical torture awaiting those who did not live up to what the Almighty had expected of them, who did not honour the trust whereby He entrusted them, and who did not carry out the goal for which He created them, that is, to worship Him, and Him alone.

Qur’anic references to such torment maybe reviewed in Surahs such as these: al-Baqarah,Aali-’Imran, alMaaida, al-An" am, al-A’raf, al-Anfal, Younus, Hud, al-Ra’d, al-Hijr, al-NahI, Maryam, Taha, al-Hajj, al-Muminoon, al-Noor, al-Furqan, al‘Ankabut, Luqman, al-Sajdah, al-Ahzab, Saba, al-Zumar, Ohafir, alTur, al-Hashr, al-Ma’ arij, al-fluruj, al-Fajr, al-Nisaa..., in most Surabs, as a matter of fact, for the Holy Qur’an was revealed to warn humans against the fire of hell and to attract them to the eternal bliss and happiness: to a kingdom that never diminishes.

What physical shape does hell take? Let us review these Qur’anic verses: (As for) those who disbelieve in Our Signs, they are the people of the left hand. On them is fire closed over. (Holy Qur’an, 90:19-20) "Closed over" means capped; hell may be compared to a pot, with a lid, on an oven, a pot which is burning both inside and out. The meaning becomes more clear when we recite these verses: And what will make you realise what the crushing disaster is?

It is the fire kindled by Allah, (a fire) which rises above the hearts. Surely it shall be closed over them, in extended columns. (Holy Our’an, 104:5-9) "Closed over them" conveys the same meaning as in 90:20 above. And its columns may be indicative of its depth, hence such columns are "extended," quite lengthy, and Allah knows best. How large are its sparks? The answer is provided by its Creator and ours: "Surely it sends up sparks like palaces" (Holy Qur’an, 77:32).