Jahannam

In Islam, Jahannam (Arabic: جهنم) is the place of punishment for evildoers in the afterlife, or hell. This notion is an integral part of Islamic theology, and has occupied an important place in Muslim belief. The concept is often called by the proper name "Jahannam", but other names refer to hell and these are also often used as the names of different gates to hell. The term "Jahannam" itself is used not only for hell in general but (in one interpretation) for the uppermost layer of hell.

The importance of Hell in Islamic doctrine is that it is an essential element of the Day of Judgment, which is one of the six articles of faith (belief in God, the angels, books, prophets, Day of Resurrection, and decree) "by which the Muslim faith is traditionally defined".

Other names for Jahannam include "the fire" (النار‎, al-nar), "blazing fire" (جحيم‎, jaheem), "that which breaks to pieces" (حطمة‎ hutamah), "the abyss" (هاوية‎, haawiyah), "the blaze" (سعير‎, sa’eer), and "place of burning" (سقر‎ Saqar), which are also often used as the names of different gates to hell.

Punishment and suffering in hell, in mainstream Islam, is physical, psychological, and spiritual, and varies according to the sins of the condemned person. Its excruciating pain and horror, as described in the Qur'an, often parallels the pleasure and delights of Jannah (paradise). Muslims commonly believe that confinement to hell is temporary for Muslims but not for others, although there are disagreements about this view and Muslim scholars disagree over whether Hell itself will last for eternity (the majority view), or whether God's mercy will lead to its eventual elimination.

The common belief among Muslims holds that Jahannam coexists with the temporal world, just as Jannah does (rather than being created after Judgment Day). Hell is described physically in different ways in different sources within Islamic literature. It is enormous in size, and located below Paradise. It has seven levels, each one more severe than the one above it, but it is also said to be a huge pit over which the resurrected walk over the bridge of As-Sirāt. It is said to have mountains, rivers, valleys and "even oceans" filled with disgusting fluids; and also to be able to walk (controlled by reins), and to ask questions, much like a sentient being.