THE DESCRIPTION OF HELL AND THE DEEDS THAT LEAD ONE INTO IT

 LECTURER: SHAYKH QAMARUDEEN YUNUS AKOREDE

TRANSLATED AND TRANSCRIBED BY ABU FAWZAAN ABDULBARR IBN ISMAIL ADEDOKUN.

“Your first supplication when you rise in the deep of the night should be “O Allah grant me paradise and protect me from a prior admittance into hell”. Thereafter you supplicate for longevity for you will eventually die, then health and so forth because it’s the ending that’s most important. Allah says, ‘…So he who is drawn away from the fire and admitted to paradise had attained’ (Qur’an 2:185). There’s no attainment for anyone in this world who eventually enters hell in the hereafter.”

SHAYKH QAMARUDEEN YUNUS AKOREDE

INTRODUCTION

All praise belongs to Allah, the Forgiver of sins, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment. May commendations and protection be upon our prophet Muhammad and upon his household and his companions and those who follow him with righteousness until the day of recompense. Indeed, the best speech is the book of Allah and the best guidance is that of Muhammad, may Allah grant him commendations and protection. The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion), every newly invented matter (in the religion) is an act of innovation, every act of innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the hell. Brethren in faith, As-salaam’ alaykum warahmotuLloohi wabarokaatuH!

We are grateful to Allah, the Forgiver of sins. May He forgive our sins. He is the acceptor of repentance; whoever repents and returns to Allah would be accepted by Allah. We implore Him by His mercy and might to accept our repentance. He is the one who punishes and He’s severe in punishment; His punishment is severe upon everyone who commits sins without repenting. He who doesn’t repent before meeting Allah would find His punishment severe even though He’s Forgiving and Pardoning. O Allah! We seek Your protection from Your punishments in this life and the hereafter. May the commendations and protection of Allah be upon our prophet Muhammad and upon his household and his companions and every righteous person. The best speech is the Qur’an and the best path is the sunnah of the prophet (May Allah grant him commendations and protection). We ask Allah by His mercy to grant us the understanding of the sunnah and the ability to perform them. Whatever is ascribed to the religion without evidence from the Qur’an and hadith is termed ‘Bid’ah’. May Allah distance us from bid’ah and rectify our affairs. 

I commend you brothers and sisters on your efforts to increase in the understanding of the religion. The understanding of the religion is essential to discern right from wrong. We ask Him by His mercy to grant us the understanding of the religion and the ability to act upon it. May Allah accept all our deeds.

HELL FIRE; ITS REALITY AND CHASTISEMENT

We would commence and end with supplication. We implore Allah to save us from all acts that could lead us into entering hell. We implore Him to protect us from returning to those that we have been saved from. May His mercy never leave anyone of us. Behold! Hell, we are all familiar with what hell is. Hell is an abode in which the whole structure is fire. It’s said that hell is an abode of chastisement that Allah prepared for whoever rejects Islam from the disbelievers and the hypocrites. The hypocrites are also disbelievers however they attend mosques while also practicing polytheism; they are disbelievers like the pure idolators. Hence, they are called hypocrites in Islam. May Allah not make us disbelievers. Who are the disbelievers? Whoever doesn’t believe that there’s no deity worthy of worship in truth except Allah. So, from the disbelievers are the idolators, the polytheists, the christians, the jews and everyone who worships the creations. Even the atheists are also disbelievers because they have abandoned the religion obligatory on them to practise i.e. Islam, thereby practising ‘freethinking’ as a religion. Whoever isn’t a Muslim is called ‘Kaafir’, hell fire is prepared for them. Also, there are abodes within the fire for the believers who committed major sins other than shirk (ascribing partners with Allah in worship) e.g. murder, illegal sexual intercourse, usury, consumption of alcohol etc. without repenting until death and they aren’t granted forgiveness by Allah on the day of judgment. O Allah! We implore You to include us among those who will receive the prophet’s intercession. May Allah protect us from visiting hell before entering paradise. The difference between these three is that the disbelievers and hypocrites won’t ever leave the hell while the sinful Muslims (e.g. those who disobey their parents, oppress their spouse or commit fraud without receiving Allah’s pardon on the plain of judgment) will enter hell fire until when Allah wills but would eventually be removed from it. Those that will abide in hell forever are those who die upon shirk (ascribing partners with Allah in worship) without repenting. From the people that would eventually be removed from hell are those who commit minor Shirk e.g. taking an oath with other than Allah. They would eventually be removed from hell by Allah. From the minor shirk also is Riyaa’ (showing off with acts of worship). We implore Allah by His mercy to have mercy on us. 

We must believe that hell is real and it exists, this is from our creed as true Muslims. Whoever believes that paradise exists but denies the existence of hell won’t enter paradise. He would eventually enter hell because he’s left the fold of Islam for rejecting one of the aspects of his creed. Allah, His prophet and the Qur’an all state that hell exists but he rejects this claiming no one has seen hell. If he was a Muslim and disbelieves in this then his name would be obliterated from Islam. Hence, from the aspects of our creed that must always fortify in our minds is that paradise is real and the righteous are its inhabitants and hell is real and the sinful are its inhabitants. Both hell and paradise have already been created. Paradise is sited above the heavens while hell fire is located far beneath the earth. The torments and means of chastisement in hell have already been created evidenced by Allah’s statement in Qur’an 2:24.

“…then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” 

Its fuel is men and stones, contrary to petrol, kerosene and gas which we use as fuel. Allah states that the Fire has already been prepared and created. The past tense was employed to mean that it has been created. For who?! The disbelievers i.e. those who reject Islam. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) says, “when you set out to observe Dhuhr prayer and the sun is scorching hot then delay your salah...” i.e. let the temperature simmer down a bit e.g. If dhuhr enters at 1:00pm and the sun is scorching hot then you delay it till 2:00pm or a few minutes past that. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) says “…for that heat is from the breaths of hell” Behold! a tremendous thing lies beneath the earth. Hell lies beneath this earth and we are above it while Paradise lies above the heavens. We are above hell! May Allah save us from entering it.On the day of resurrection, Allah will bring it forth in its entirety.

Allah says, “And your Lord has come and the angels, rank upon rank, and brought (within view), that day, is hell – that day, man will remember, but what good to him will be the remembrance?” (Qur’an 89: 22-23). May Allah protect us from entering hell. Hell has already been created and the chastisements within it are unequalled. Allah says, “So on that Day, none will punish (as severely) as His punishment and none will bind (as severely) as His binding (of the evildoers)” (Qur’an 89: 25-26). May Allah save us from the fire and its deeds.

WHY WAS HELL CREATED? 

Allah created hell in fairness between the righteous and the sinful i.e. the righteous will be in paradise while the sinful will be in hell. He created it in fairness between the believers and the disbelievers as well as in fairness between His true servants i.e. those who worship Allah, give charity, and establish faith in Allah and the disbelievers who don’t. Hence, we can’t be recompensed in the same manner. May we not have a prior admittance into hell before paradise. Allah says, “Every soul will taste death and you will only be given your (full) compensation on the Day of resurrection. So, he who is drawn away from the fire and admitted to paradise has attained (his desire) …” (Qur’an 2:185). We implore Allah to save us from the fire. Allah says, “he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained”. May Allah include us amongst the successful. All of our feats in this world are not (true) success e.g. graduating from school, buying houses, getting married, having children, assuming kingship. All of these aren’t (true) success. (True) Success is to be enlisted amongst the inhabitants of paradise on the day of resurrection. May Allah grant us success!! If your child doesn’t enter paradise then he’s not from your achievements. 

May Allah have mercy on us and our wives, parents, husbands, children, relatives and the Muslims at large. May Allah protect us from the Fire. Allah says, “…And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Qur’an 2:185). It’s mere delusion, real enjoyment is in the paradise. The paradise is an abode of pleasure as hell is an abode of punishment i.e. all kinds of punishment. 

THE INHABITANTS OF HELL

The hypocrites are the first to be placed at the lowest depths of the fire. The hypocrites i.e. those who attend the mosques and also worship idols. They are idolators in truth but they also attend the mosques to associate with us and harm us. They will be at the lowest depths of hell! Allah says, “Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the fire” (Qur’an 4:145). The hypocrites i.e. idolators who attend the Friday prayer while wearing amulets, who pray and celebrate Eid with us, the worshippers of Sango etc. Allah promised to place them in the lowest depths of the fire because they could have remained as pure worshippers of sango. They intend to confuse people with their deeds, they intend to confuse their wives, relatives and friends thereby mocking the religion and taking it as amusement. They don’t believe in Allah but they prostrate to Him, they pray Eid, fast in Ramadan and perform hajj while worshipping sango. The hypocrites would be at the lowest depths which is hotter than the top. Next are the Christians and Jews i.e. the people of the book. Then the Muslims who committed major sins without being pardoned would be added but they would eventually be brought out. The hypocrites and the disbelievers who reject Islam would remain there permanently. What evidence substantiates this? Here it is! The verse that states that the Christians would enter hell if they don’t embrace Islam, likewise all idolators who reject Islam and those who ridicule Islam i.e. idolators who attend the mosques. Many kings in the Yorubaland are particularly guilty of this likewise many politicians. They don’t believe in Islam but attend the mosques on account of politics. These non-Muslims who attend the mosques and Eid as well as the disbelievers who stick to their faith would all enter hell. Allah says, “Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together.” (Qur’an 4:140). The verse that confirms that everyone who rejects Islam whether Christian or Jew would enter hell is as follows; “Indeed, those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture…” Who are the people of the scripture? It’s the Jews and Christians! We must state it bluntly as Allah did perhaps, they would return (to Islam) having heard that they would enter hell. It’s a statement from Allah not me. Allah says, “Indeed, those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians) and the polytheists will be in the fire of hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures” (Qur’an 98:6). 

They are evil creatures. Allah created them but they worship something else. Is it Sango who provides us with yam and plantain?! Is it Eyo who provides gari?! Such intellect must be deficient! What idol do people worship in this community?(audience chorus ‘AGEMO’)Is it Agemo who produces orange? Mere things that are created with no eyes, ears and can’t move about while you (the worshippers) possess all of these attributes. Your lord can’t move unless you carry it. Is that God?! You will enter hell! And it’s befitting for you because Allah created the heavens and earth and provides for you but you worship His creature. Let them keep worshipping these Idols, they’re coming to enter the hell and it’s befitting for them. The heartbreaking aspect is that Allah says, “…they will abide eternally therein”. You’d better pay attention to your parents and siblings so they don’t enter hell.

Those who commit major sins e.g. murder, disobedience to parents, severing ties of kinship, illegal sexual intercourse, usury, gambling, however, failed to repent before death, then their affairs on the day of resurrection would be between Allah’s forgiveness and His punishment. May Allah protect us from a prior admittance into hell. A day in the hell! Allah says, “And indeed, a day with your lord is like a thousand years of those which you count” (Qur’an 22:47). If one were to spend just one day in hell! Even if it were less than a second, the human body can never endure it. Brethren in Islam, the Prophet (May Allah grant him commendations and protection) remarked concerning the perpetrators of the major sins. He (May Allah grant him commendations and protection) said, “He would eventually be removed from the fire whoever has in his heart an atom’s weight of faith.” They would eventually be removed from the fire and admitted into paradise. However, concerning the idolators, Allah says, “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” (Qur’an 4:48) Our supplication is; ‘May we never visit hell before entering paradise’. When you make supplication, always implore Allah to protect you from visiting the fire before entering paradise. There are three categories of people; Those that would enter the paradise to abide therein eternally without prior visit to hell fire, those that would enter hell fire without ever entering paradise and those that would visit the hell fire before entering the paradise. May Allah include us amongst those who would enter the paradise without prior visit to hell. Include this in your supplication in the depth of the nights because it’s more encompassing. However, if you only supplicate to Allah to grant you paradise, it’s possible that you’d make a prior visit to hell before entering paradise on account of the major sins you didn’t repent from. Whoever commits major sins and is not forgiven on the day of resurrection would enter hell before entering paradise. It’d be better if you repented from those sins now.

The most abundant people in hell are the women. This meansthey are more abundant than the men in hell. O Allah! We implore You to exclude our daughters and wives from them. We must exert great effort on this because all the speech that leads one into hell is mostly peculiar to women, all of the behaviours and deeds that lead one into entering hell are commonly found amongst women. Imran Ibn Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “(During the night journey) I saw the paradise and found that most of its inhabitants are the poor…” The Indigent! How could they afford to pay prostitutes?! How could they afford alcohol?! How could they afford occult inaugurations?! How?! Because they lack the wealth which causes people to transgress thereby engaging in the deeds that lead to hell. Hence, when Allah restricts someone’s wealth, it’s seldom due to His love for them. He thus dispenses his wealth piecemeal because He fully knows extending it abundantly unto him would cause him to enter hell. Such persons lack the finesse thereby eventually entering hell! Hence, those whom Allah has restricted their provisions think Allah has rejected their supplication (by making them destitute) whereas their supplication has already been answered by granting them paradise.

The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “…I saw the hell fire and found that most of its inhabitants are women”. The women! Sisters! The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) says, “O assembly of women! Give charity for I found you to be most abundant in hell”. There was a woman who used to fast, observe both obligatory and voluntary prayers then she passed away. Thereupon the people proclaimed that she’s from the dwellers of paradise. The Prophet remarked that she’s from the dwellers of hell (i.e. she’d pay prior visit to hell before entering paradise) because she used to malign her neighbours. Warn your womenfolk if they also do the same! We shall soon enumerate all the deeds that lead to entering hell. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) advised women to give abundant charity to prevent them from entering hell. Charity is one of the means of seeking refuge with Allah from the punishment of hell. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “Fear the fire (i.e. seek protection from entering the fire) even if it be by giving a half date in charity”.You should intentionally set aside money for charity in order to seek Allah’s refuge from the Fire. The Prophet advised you (women) to frequently give charity but many women are even the ones preventing men from giving charity while they are the most abundant in hell. May Allah exclude our daughters from them. 

THE DESCRIPTION OF HELL

Besides Allah and His Prophet who have seen it, there’s none who knows its description. Therefore, we must learn its description from the Qur’an and the hadith of the Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection). We must desist from any statement beside these two because only Allah and His Prophet know the description of hell. 

Hellfire is scalding hot! The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) expounded on its hotness when he said “The fire which you prepare O son of Adam (e.g. oven, hotplates, burner etc. in this world) is one-seventieth in intensity when compared to the hotness of the fire of hell” All the fire being prepared in this world is only one (1) out of seventy (70) of the intensity of the fire of hell. This informs us of the gravity of hellfire. The remaining sixty-nine (69) portions is added to the one (1) portion of this worldly fire to chastise the people (in hell). If it were just the worldly fire alone, isn’t that petrifying enough? Allah said, “… Say (O Muhammad!) ‘The fire of Hell is more intensive in heat’- if only they could understand.” (Qur’an 9:81).

Allah sent the Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) to inform us that hell is extremely hot. Having found it (the proof) in the Qur’an, would it not be wise to take precautions?! Allah says, “… And what can make you know what that is (i.e. hell)?, it is a Fire, intensely hot !!!” (Qur’an 101: 10-11). O Allah! Protect us from the fire of Hell!!! O Allah! Avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering. 

Brethren in Islam! Hell fire is extremely deep, built in a cylindrical or cuboidal manner. It’s wide and deep but how deep is it? The prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) has explained this. “Once, the Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) was amidst his companions when he heard a loud sound upon which he remarked that it was a rock that was lowered into hell seventy(70) years ago and now it just landed”

This means if a newborn was thrown into hell, it would attain seventy (70) years of age before landing. No matter how deep a well could be, if a stone was thrown into it, it would get to its depth within five (5) seconds. It could be extrapolated that when a stone is thrown into hell it would keep descending until it has travelled seventy (70) years. Allahu Akbar!     

We all know what fuel is, that with which we kindle fire. We use rubber, kerosene, petrol in this world. Likewise, we use firewood as well to combust fire. Allah says, its fuel is mankind! Allah says, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire…” (Qur’an 66:6). Drive your families away from Shirk (ascribing partners with Allah in worship), drive them away from Bid’ah (acts of innovation in the religion), drive them away from sins. Allah says, “…a Fire whose fuel is people and stones”. Whenever they are plunged into it, the fire becomes rekindled. Whenever the stones are thrown into it, the fire becomes fiercer. Allah informs us that there are angels who guard the gates of hell throwing people into it. “…over which are (appointed) angels, harsh and severe (i.e. they aren’t created to show mercy); they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them (i.e. to throw people into hell) but do what they are commanded [without favoritism] (Qur’an 66:6). Brethren! When people are thrown into the fire, from a group of one thousand (1000) people, nine hundred and ninety-nine(999) people would be cast into the fire leaving only one (1) who would be admitted into paradise. That’s how tremendous the affair is. Let’s assess our actions in this world, are we obedient to Allah? Even when hell is being discussed, some still take it as a joke. May Allah have mercy on all of us. 

From the fuels of hell are the idols people worship in this world. Be it iron, stones, trees, water, cow etc. Allah would summon all idols, not a single one would go missing. Be it Sango, the shrines, all places designed for worshipping other than Allah, figurines and statues. All of them would be summoned before Allah and cast into Hell in confirmation that Allah is the only God. If they were God, they would have resisted the combustion. To stop you from worshipping idols, remember these idols can even be burnt by us in this world with petrol let alone the combustion that would be performed by Allah.

Allah intends to establish to the disbelievers howthey used to worship these idols in this world yetthey can neither save themselves nor their worshippers on the day of resurrection.Allah says “Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell.” (Qur’an 21:98). Allah would burn all these lifeless idols out of anger. Why do they worship these things?!

Hell is exceedingly wide and it has 7 gates. Allah says “And indeed, hell is the promised place for them all, it has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated.”(Qur’an 15: 43-44). The fire itself is neither red nor yellow nor white. Rather it’s black! It’s all full of darkness with no glimmer of light. They would only hear their cries but won’t see themselves. Allah encircled hell with fence. The fence is highly fortified and made into four sides. Ordinarily, they can’t flee from it but Allah created the fence (out of His majesty) to instill in them that their residence is permanent. After they are thrown into it, the gates are locked. Allah says, “…Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers (oppressors, sinners, polytheists) a fire whose walls will surround them” (Qur’an 18:29). Thus, making it a home. Hence, it’s called “Daarul-‘Adhaab; Home of chastisement”. Having enveloped them with walls, the heat becomes more intense! It has no windows and the gates have been shut. “…And if they call for relief (screaming ‘Help! Have mercy on us!! We’re thirsty!!’) they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink and evil is the resting place.” (Qur’an 18:29). Their deeds are evil and so is their final abode. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “The walls that surround hell are four and the perimeter of each wall can only be covered by walking for 40 (forty) years” May Allah have mercy on all of us. They would scream, “We are hungry!!! We’re thirsty, we need water and food”.

Allah says, “Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum (with thorny branches) is the food for the sinful (Qur’an 44: 43-44). They had eaten pork, drunk beer with prostitutes reclining on their laps in this world. They have enjoyed fully in this world. This world is the paradise of the disbelievers. Allah says such is their food, “…Like murky oil, it boils within bellies like the boiling of scalding water.” (Qur’an 44: 45-46). Which amongst these is salubrious? Allah says, “Which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger” (Qur’an88:7). O Allah! We implore you to grant us mercy.

Allah says, “They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink except scalding water and [foul] purulence, an appropriate recompense” (Qur’an 78: 24-26). When they crave for water, Allah orders that water be provided for them “… And they will be given to drink boiling water that will sever their intestines” (Qur’an 47:15). You know ulcer is a (mere) break in the intestine and it causes excruciating pain to the body. Here, it doesn’t just break rather it rends their intestines into pieces after which it closes up again. When he takes another gulp, it becomes rent again. Allah says, “… Every time their skins are roasted through (leaving the skeleton bare,) We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment” (Qur’an 4:56). Brethren! Don’t ever associate partners with Allah. Fear Allah who created this fire. He burns people in this would with no place of refuge e.g. when a busful of passengers is engulfed in fire and no one is left unscathed! The One who did that has a greater punishment in store on the day of resurrection. 

When they (the disbelievers) enter the fire, they would never be removed from it and they would never receive any ventilation nor would they die therein. Allah says unto them, “You would now live on eternally without dying”. You know sometimes when a hardship becomes severe, one expects that the hardship would depart when death comes. Here they won’t die, Allah has ordered death to be killed. The gates have been shut. Allah says, “Indeed, Hellfire will be closed down upon them in extended columns” (Qur’an 104: 8-9). “And they will call, ‘O Malik (the gate keeper of hell), let your Lord put an end to us!’ He will say, ‘Indeed, you will remain.’” (Qur’an 43:77).

You’d better repent from your sins. The polytheists won’t ever be taken out of hell including all hypocrites and idolators who use charms, amulets and talisman believing they could render any benefit. They would abide eternally therein. May Allah exclude us from the dwellers of hell. There are also chains and shackles in the fire, “Indeed, we have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze.” (Qur’an 76:4) Allah says, “So on that Day, none will punish (as severely) as His punishment and none will bind (as severely) as His binding (of the evildoers)” (Qur’an 89: 25-26). If the matter is this severe, brethren, I would rather we all rectified our actions.

DEEDS THAT LEAD ONE INTO HELL 

For those ignorant of the deeds that lead one into hell, here are a few that would be highlighted. The summarised list includes; disbelief, polytheism and sins. That is the summary; ‘To reject Islam or perform Shirk (ascribing partners with Allah in worship) or commit major sins other than Shirk’. Those who commit major sins other than Shirk would eventually be removed from hell. We implore Allah to exclude us from them. The disbelievers would abide therein eternally.

From the deeds that lead one into entering hell. The foremost is hypocrisy. This is to disbelieve in Allah and Islam but practise Islam i.e. such people answer Muslim names, attend the mosques, attend the Friday prayer, observe Eid prayer, go for pilgrimage and also observe fast. Such people are very numerous amongst the Yoruba tribe. Likewise, there are some dishonest Islamic clerics who accompany these people assuring them of entering paradise knowing they secretly commit Shirk. They know these kings worship Sango yet they assure them. Everyone who associates with the true Muslims whilst still practicing polytheism are the first set of people to enter the fire and they would be at the lowest depths. They are the hypocrites. Allah says, “Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire and never will you find for them a helper” (Qur’an 4:145). 

Then above them are the Christians and Jews (i.e. the people of the book) who reject the prophethood of Muhammad (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) as well as the pure polytheists (not the hypocrites). They will be above the hypocrites while the hypocrites are beneath. They (the hypocrites) are also disbelievers but they attend the mosques associating with the Muslims intending to deceive them. They reveal our secrets to the enemies, they know our strongest fortress because they associate with us. They are aware of our plans thereby divulging them to our adversarieshence they deserve the hottest station in the fire. Their station would be hotter than that of the (pure) disbelievers. Allah would then place the disbelievers above them. Thereafter the unrepentant sinful Muslims (who committed major sins other than Shirk) would be placed above them even though they would be eventually removed from it. May Allah protect us from entering the fire at all.  Supplications only isn’t enough! Go and remove all amulets from your house, exhume all buried charms and discard all talismans completely and rely only on Allah beside whom there’s no deity worthy of worship in truth. Then, your supplication would be answered. 

You (idolatrous clerics) haven’t found a good undertaking. Had you found one, you wouldn’t be still making charms. Shirk! Shirk!! Shirk!!! Charm! Charm!! You must renounce it all. Whomsoever fails to renounce it then Allah says, “Indeed, those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and the polytheists will be in the fire of hell, abiding eternally therein” (Qur’an 98:6).Allah says, “Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise and his refuge is the fire” (Qur’an 5:72). That’s Allah’s statement, I don’t shy away from saying the truth knowing whoever hears me would either heed my sermon or never invite me again. Hence, we seize this opportunity to extend our preaching to all polytheists in this community, all worshippers of Eyo in this community, all worshippers of Igunu in this community, all worshippers of Jelede and all idolatrous clerics. We are preaching to them to renounce all acts of Shirk (associating partners with Allah) so they don’t enter hell. That (portion) which you serve us to eat to make us wealthy isn’t the bestower of wealth. Brethren, who is Ar-Rozaaq (The Provider)? Allah! Those portions have been taken as the Provider, hence becoming Shirk. They defeather a rooster and mash it with soap and chili pepper for protection from evil! Who protects from evil in Islam? Allah! Hence, that portion is Shirk! That’s what we intend to annihilate from the Yoruba land. Enough with Shirk! We can’t compel people (into Islam). We can only sermonize them. However, whomsoever Allah wishes to guide would take heed upon hearing this.

The third from the list of deeds that lead one into hell is apostasy. This entails renouncing Islam after having fasted, prayed, observed Islamic monotheism, practiced sunnah etc. All his deeds have become nullified following his apostasy. Should he pass away, he would enter the fire to abide therein eternally. Allah says, “…And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds (hajj, fasting, kindness to parents, charity etc.) have become worthless in this world and the hereafter and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally” (Qur’an 2: 217). Invite your children back into Islam, if you truly love them. It’s amazing how parents express love and empathy to their children when they see them approaching danger yet they are cavalier towards their apostasy while aware that Allah promises to burn them in hell in the hereafter for renouncing Islam. There’s not an Islamic cleric as miserable as one who conducts marriage between a Muslim lady and a Christian man. He is the most miserable! You assume the seat of the prophet as the scholars inherit the prophets! What did the prophets do? They invited people into Islam, calling them to worship Allah alone and renounce all idols. Yet you’re conducting marriages to promote polytheism! 

Allah says, “…And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they [truly] believe” (Qur’an 2:221). They must truly believe not dissembling belief and making false promises to practise Islam which they refuse to fulfil after marriage. You must scrutinize them thoroughly. 

If they betray you, then you must dissolve the marriage immediately. It would be evil of you to warn your children of the dangers of this world but remain calm regarding the torments of hell. Whoever renounces Islam for another religion is from the people of hell. The Qur’an has confirmed this. Warn your daughters in such marriages to invite their husbands to Islam or their marriage would be dissolved. Take care of your children and guard them from the fire of Allah. 

The fourth is murder. These (murderers) would eventually be removed from hell after Allah had tortured them with an excruciating chastisement. Killing! Perhaps for ritual purpose or political gains or to dismember and sell the body parts or for a monetary benefit etc. Any act of taking a soul would lead you to hell! Allah says, “But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally (until a certain time) and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.” (Qur’an 4:93). Don’t kill! Don’t engage in money rituals! If you kill for ritual purpose you would never be removed from the fire not on account of murder but for engaging in Shirk. Anyone who kills will enter hell if not pardoned by Allah but will eventually be removed if he isn’t a polytheist. 

The fifth is Zina i.e.committing unlawful sexual intercourse perhaps with a married woman or a colleague or co-worker or neighbour etc. All of these are happening in the society amongst students, lecturers etc. Lecturers have sex with students to pass them in their exams! These peopleshall enter hell except Allah pardons them. Allah says, “…And do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse” (Qur’an 25: 68). Your child is having unlawful sex and you’re aware! your child has been aborting pregnancy! There is a narration of an unfortunate woman who took her four mature daughters to the doctor to place contraceptive devices in them. She approves of them having unlawful sex as long as pregnancy is prevented. Allah says, “And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by right and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse.” (Qur’an 25:68). You’re not righteous if you commit unlawful sexual intercourse, exclude yourself from the allies of Allah. You still remain a Muslim albeit an unrighteous one. Allah says, “And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection and he will abide therein (until a certain time) humiliated. Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 25: 68-70).

See how fortunate the one who repents become but repentance isn’t easy. However, with determination and resoluteness to give up all sins including usury, gambling, consuming alcohol etc. Allah promises to obliterate all of your sins and replace them with good deeds. The one who repents from a sin is like the one who is free from sin. However, Shaitan doesn’t want you to repent therefore he causes you to return to the sins after repenting so you could die on it and enter hell. May Allah grant us repentance. 

From the deeds that lead one into hell; The sixthbeing usury i.e. interest-based transactions. Allah says, “…But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So, whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] – those are the companions of the fire; they will abide eternally therein.” (Qur’an 2:275). Imagine how many people would enter hell in our society.

Then (the seventh) Music! Listening to music would lead one into hell! If you listen to Fuji, HipHop, Apala and musical instruments like guitar, piano etc. with your ears, you would enter hell before entering paradise. Allah says, “And of the people is he who purchases music i.e. they purchase mobile data and cassettes in order to listen to music, donates money to musicians in order to listen to music, they promote music and musicians etc. to mislead (others) from the way of Allah” (Qur’an 33:6). When misinterpretation of ‘Lahw-Al-hadith’ ensued from some Islamic clerics to mean fallacies, mockery, jokes. Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood confronted them and remarked; “I swear by Allah beside whom there is no deity worthy of worship in truth, Lahw-Al-hadith is in fact music! He added that, “The Prophet interpreted it to us as music”. Even if you’ve never heard this before, are you ignorant of the evils these musicians have caused in our societies? Aren’t you aware of the tribulations they have caused for the youth? Could anyone be a musician and have a pure heart? Could anyone be an artiste and abstain from illegal sexual intercourse? Could anyone be a singer and not engage in vulgarities, lies, vices and alcoholism? Music is accompanied by all other evil deeds.

Allah says, “…to mislead (others) from the way of Allah” (Qur’an 33:6). Whoever listens to music would lead people away from Allah’s path. Imam Ibn Qayyim stated, “The Qur’an and music can’t coexist in a single heart”. One would ultimately leave for the other; It’s either the Qur’an leaves for music or music leaves for Qur’an. Allah says, “… to mislead (others) from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment”(Qur’an 33:6). Musicians shall go to hell, all Islamic artistes shall go to hell except Allah grants them pardon because any sin besides polytheism would be judged as Allah wills. If Allah wills He punishes them with His fairness or He grants them pardon with His mercy. You might hope for His forgiveness in the hereafter and He won’t grant you! Allah has promised all singers a place in the fire. Isn’t it fair on them to enter hell? Musicians who sing and cause women to dance before them, this is a problem. They present ignominious songs as religious songs. Allah commands us to lower our gaze when a woman passes but they display ladies and beat drums claiming to be dignifying the religion. The ignorant reprimand the people of sunnah saying, “You stopped us from listening to Fuji, you stopped us from listening to HipHop. Even the, religious songs?” What distinguishes between this and Fuji? What? They both display dancing women while this conflicts the islamic teachings. Your women sing like theirs while it contradicts the teachings of our religion. Allah says, “O wives of the Prophet…do not be soft in speech (to men), lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech” (Qur’an 33:32). This is a verse of the Qur’an. Allah also says, “…And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment (beneath their jilbab)” (Qur’an 24:31).

Allah doesn’t want women to clank their anklets for men to hear lest they begin to imagine how pretty they are thereby seducing the men towards them. Would Allah then command them to shake their butt while He prohibits clanking their anklets?! 

You now claim to be knowledgeable, what sort of devilish knowledge is this?! You have learnt nothing but rubbish!! You took your knowledge from Iblees! You criminals! They are criminals. When they do shahaadah, they dance! When the do waleemah, they dance! Beating all sorts of evil drums and there they are dancing shamelessly. If it were in an Islamic country, those clerics would have been jailed. What we’re establishing is that musicians would enter hell with their listeners. 

Go and read Surat Lukman, Qur’an 33 verse 6. Don’t read a different tafsir from that of Makkah because it’s more veracious. Don’t read that of Cairo! That of Makkah is more accurate; they call a spade a spade. Whoever has the tafsir of Ibn Kathir should look up this verse. You would find where Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood swore by Allah three times that Lahw-Al-hadith is in fact music! May Allah save us from misguidance.

The eight cause of entering hell is the rich abstaining from paying zakat. Currently zakat is slated at #2,172,400. When your money becomes due for zakat perhaps in gold or silver, you must pay it. Allah says, “And those who hoard gold and silver…”(Qur’an 9:34). Our currency now supplants gold and silver, the equivalence of the payable zakat of gold and silver in currency is what is given out. Allah says, “…And who do not spend it in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment. The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell…” (Qur’an 9:34). Allah has prepared hell for all the affluent that refuse to pay zakat. Imagine how much infinitesimal they are obligated to pay as zakat from #2,172,400?! NB: This value is for the current year and it’s subject to change as the value of gold changes i.e. eighty-five grams (85g) of gold. You should always make enquiries because it fluctuates just as the price of dollar fluctuates with naira in our country. Allah says, “The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks and their backs [it will be said], ‘This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard.’” (Qur’an 9:34).

Brethren! It would be catastrophic to dwell in air-conditioned apartment in this world and dwell in the hellfire in the hereafter on account of a trifling wealth. Once your money passes a year perhaps in the bank or in hand or in your business, ask the Islamic scholars regarding paying the due zakat. You could even estimate the amount by yourself if you know the zakat rates so you don’t reveal your net worth. May Allah make it easy for all of us and grant us abundant wealth from with we would pay zakat.

Then the ninth cause is severing the family ties. You refused to greet your sisters, brothers or father. Some even say they’d never speak to their mother! You’re cutting ties of kinship. You shall enter hell! Allah says, “…(And those) who sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and spread corruption on earth – for them is the curse and they will have the worst home.” (Qur’an 13:25). Where is Allah referring to? FIRE!

Lastly, exposing the nakedness. If a woman doesn’t wear the jilbab over her garment, she will visit hell before entering paradise. Any woman who fails to wear the jilbab on her garment will enter hell before entering paradise. The jilbab is a voluminous garment that is worn from the head to the toes, neither transparent nor tight-fitting i.e. not revealing her figure. People are falling into temptation on account of the prevalent nudity, Allah made the jilbab a protection from this temptation. Imagine those without the jilbab, see how people cast their gaze on them repeatedly causing temptation and unlawful sexual intercourse. They raise people’s sexual urge. Youngsters gazing at pornographic sights without the ability to marry would eventually commit zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) as a consequence of catching unlawful sights. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “There are two categories of people which I have not seen from the dwellers of hell. Men who carry canes like cow tails (e.g. those who extort the motorcyclists in our society) striking the people (unjustly)…” Those who employ these thugs are also from the dwellers of hell. Fear Allah! These villains waylay motorists and extort them exorbitantly leaving them heartbroken and dejected. These people flog people unjustly! 

Then, “…women who are dressed yet naked” i.e. they wear close-fitting or transparent or skimpy dresses e.g. wearing a hijab over the head while the thighs are exposed. A woman’s legs must be covered! Their garment must cover their whole body to the ground. She could wear socks if she fears that her feet would become exposed. It’s obligatory for women to cover their legs. Brethren in Islam! The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “These women are dressed yet naked, walking seductively (causing temptation in the society). Whoever sees her once would (unavoidably) gaze at her again (i.e. dressed to kill). Their hairstyles are like camel humps (i.e. propped up).”

Women’s hairstyles must not be updos. Rather it should unraised and end at her occiput. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) warned against raising it as that makes her hair conspicuous and beautifies her more. Such women would visit hell fire. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) said, “Their hairstyles are like camel humps (i.e. propped up). Neither would they neither enter the paradise (initially) nor perceive its fragrance (initially)”. They would have prior admittance into hell before paradise if they aren’t polytheists but if they are then they will abide in hell eternally. 

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE FIRE

• Belief in Allah: Accepting and complying with the injunctions of Allah i.e. following the shariah. 

• Charity: Giving abundant charity.

• Shunning bad company: Accompanying the dwellers of hell will ultimately lead you to hell. “And the companions of the right – what are the companions of the right? … And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?” (Qur’an 56: 27&41). Shun all your bad friends; they can’t intercede for you from the punishment of Allah on the day of resurrection. Disown your clerics who invite you to Shirk, the idolatrous clerics who control the affairs of your family! Inform them you are now from the people of sunnah.   

• Abundant supplications: Amongst them is “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the fire.” (Qur’an 2: 201). This should be repeated often and before you supplicate for any worldly possessions e.g. cars, houses, wives, children, longevity and health. Your first supplication when you rise in the deep of the night should be “O Allah grant me paradise and protect me from a prior admittance into hell”. Thereafter you supplicate for longevity for you will eventually die, then health and so forth because it’s the ending that’s most important. Allah says, “…So he who is drawn away from the fire and admitted to paradise had attained” (Qur’an 2:185). There’s no attainment for anyone in this world who eventually enters hell in the hereafter. We implore Allah by His mercy to exclude us from the dwellers of hell and enlist us amongst the inhabitants of paradise. We implore Him to protect and guard us from the deeds of hell, direct our hearts toward righteous deeds. Indeed, we are absolutely in need of His guidance. O Allah bring our hearts out of darkness into light and include us amongst the successful. 

Subhaanak Allahumma-wabihamdika Ash’hadu an   laa ilaaha illa’anta Astaghfiruka wa’atoobu-ilaik, Was-salaam’alaykumwarahmotuLloohiwabarokaatuH!