The word “Heaven”, which in the dictionary means “a garden covering the land with its plants and trees”, when used as a religious term, expresses the reward that believers will live in eternal happiness in the eternal home of the afterlife after the end of the day. There are different opinions about the etymology of the word hell; however, it is usually an Arabic word “deep well; It is a term meaning “unlucky, inauspicious” and is probably derived from the Hebrew word “ge-Hinnom” (Hinnom valley) is thought to be derived from the expression.
Heaven and helllife after death places of reward and punishment Beliefs considered to be of divine origin are specific to many religions. Although this belief exists in similar forms in non-divine religions, the depictions may contain some differences. The existence of punishment and reward in the afterlife is compatible with man’s sense of justice and understanding of sanctions. The religion of Islam aims to create an order based on morality and justice that extends from the individual to the society. Therefore, Islam emphasizes heaven and hell as fundamental elements of the understanding of the afterlife.
According to Islam, believing in the principles of faith is sufficient to enter heaven. According to the majority of Islamic scholars, a believer who commits a major sin can be forgiven and enter heaven if Allah wishes. Kharijites and Mu’tazila scholars argue that, in addition to faith, avoiding sins is necessary to enter heaven. According to these sects, a person who commits a major sin will be punished in eternal hell if he does not repent, even if he has faith.
Will Heaven and Hell Be Filled?
Heaven and Hell are determined in every aspect by God’s will and will, including their continued existence, eternality, existence and continuity. Allah says “Be!” They come into existence when he says, “Perish!” The moment he says it, they disappear.
Hazrat Imam-i Rabbani states that believing in the destruction of creatures is one of the conditions of faith, just like believing that they were created from nothing. However, Throne, Kursi, Tablet, Pen, Heaven, Hell and Spirit Creatures like these will not be destroyed by Allah’s will; On the contrary, they will exist forever. This statement does not mean that they cannot disappear. Allah may destroy whomever He wishes among His creatures, and He may not destroy whomever He wishes for reasons consistent with His wisdom. Because, Heaven, Hell and other creatures came into existence and continue to exist by the will and will of God.
According to a hadith, eternal Heaven and Hell will include certain groups for the punishment and mercy of Allah. Heaven, While it is defined as a place for the weak and poor to enter, Hell, It has been described as a place where tyrants and arrogant people can shelter. However, these determinations of Allah will occur only in accordance with His will. Heaven will be filled with God’s mercy and will be an eternal residence for believers; Hell will be filled with God’s torment and will continue to exist for the unbelievers to suffer their punishment. This is completely natural to God’s justice and wisdom.
Heaven and Hell Exist Right Now
According to Islamic belief, hell is a place consisting of seven layers, and unbelievers will be tormented in one of these layers, depending on their situation. As stated in the book “Feraid-ül Fevaid”, Hell is arranged in layers and the fire of each layer is more severe than the layer above it. Believers whose sins have not been forgiven will be taken out of Hell and taken to Heaven after being tormented according to the amount of their sins in the first layer.
In the other six layers, various unbelievers will be tormented endlessly. Heaven and Hell exist as of now according to Islamic belief. However, there is no definitive information about where Hell is located exactly. According to some scholars, Hell is seven layers underground. Since the earth, the sun and other stars are in the first sky, wherever we are on earth, there is a sky seven layers underground, and it is understood that Hell is located in one of these skies. There may be different opinions on this issue among Islamic scholars, but in general, Heaven and Hell are considered places of reward and punishment in the afterlife.
According to Islamic belief, Prophet Adam, the first human being and the father of all humans, lived in Heaven for a long time. However, the information that he was sent down to the world as a result of eating from the forbidden tree is expressed in many verses in the Holy Quran. These verses include the 35th and 36th verses of the Surah al-Baqarah, the 17th to the 27th verses of the Surah al-A’raf, and the 117-119 chapters of the Surah Taha. There are verses. These verses, Hz. It describes in detail the event of Adam being taken down from Paradise.
The Holy Quran also mentions Heaven and Earth waiting ready for believers. Hell is waiting for the unbelievers There are also statements about. In the 133rd verse of the Al-i Imran surah, it is stated that “The width of the Paradise prepared for the pious is as much as the heavens and the earth, so run”, and in the 131st verse of the same surah. “Beware of the fire of Hell prepared for the disbelievers!” There is a warning. Our Prophet stated that he saw Heaven and Hell when he ascended to Miraj.
Where Are Heaven and Hell?
According to Ahl al-Sunnah belief, Heaven and Hell are created entities and exist now. According to the statement of the Quran, the width of Heaven is between the earth and the sky. Again, according to the Quran, Heaven is prepared for the pious, and Hell is prepared for the unbelievers. Both of them were shown to our Prophet (pbuh) on the night of Miraj. This supports the idea that it cannot be possible to prepare and display something that does not exist for its inhabitants.
Also, the existence of Heaven is Hz. It has been established with the story of Adam, and it has been compared to this story that Hell still exists. While Heaven is stated to be above the Throne, Hell is stated to be underground. There were those who said. However, it was not possible to determine an exact location. Even though our beloved Prophet (pbuh) said, “Between my house and my pulpit is a garden of paradise,” it is believed that this hadith should be understood as saying it primarily to draw attention to the importance of visiting one’s own person and graves.
However, the possibility that Heaven may be in the place mentioned in the hadith or in the direction of that place should not be ignored after the end of the day and the earth becomes different. In other words, the spatial situation of Heaven may change after the apocalypse, and it is also possible to understand the place mentioned in the hadith as a’la-i illiyyin (the highest and most sublime layer).
