Where is our hope and fear?

Where is our hope and fear? Color of Hellfire In spite of the fact that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has been clearly promised the power of intercession,[^4] and he himself is an expression of salvation and mercy; even then what is his condition? How fearful he is of Hell? Abu Basir says: I came to Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) and said: Maula, my heart has become hard. Imam (a.s.) said: One day Jibraeel Ameen came to the Seal of the prophets. He used to be very cheerful usually.

But that day he was very fearful and aggrieved. Sorrow and grief were apparent from his face. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) asked: Why are you so gloomy today? Jibraeel Amin said: O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.), the blowing of Hell is concluded today. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked: What is the blowing of Hell. Jibraeel replied: The fire of Hell was lighted by the orders of Allah for thousand years till it became white.

Then it was kept burning for another thousand years till it turned black. And now they have concluded it. I am terrified of the horror of fire. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) also started crying. An angel came down and said: The Almighty Allah has promised you that He would keep you away from every sin that makes one eligible for Hellfire. Zaqqum Hanzal is Bitterer than Neem The Almighty Allah has said in many places in the Holy Quran that Zaqqum which is the diet [^5]of sinners in Hell.

It is a tree, whose fruit, Hanzal is bitterer than Neem. Only a particle of its bitterness is kept in this world, which has more stench than a stinking corpse. Its outward appearance is extremely horrible and terrifying. When it passes down the throat, it begins to boil up, but it creates so much pain of hunger that even the folks of Hell begin to feed on it. What hunger it is that man becomes prepared to eat Zaqqum as well? Among the other foods of Hell is Ghislin Zari’.

Boiling, which even Melts the Flesh of the Face It is most appropriate that I should mention the drinks of Hell; one of them being Sadeed. It is said that it is the dirt of adulterous women, which is extremely hot and boiling; and it carries a terrible stench. It is flowing like a flood. The folks of Hell would be so thirsty that they would be compelled to quench their thirst from that liquid and then scream out: Give us water![^6] Among the drinks of Hell is Hameem.