53/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2845a — Levels of Hellfire Punishment
About Hell - May Allah Protect Us From It
Hellfire Hadith About Different Levels of Punishment
Sahih Muslim : 2845a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2845a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا نَضْرَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ سَمُرَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ إِلَى عُنُقِهِ " .
Samura b. Jundub Narrated from:
Samura b. Jundub reported Allah's Apostle (may peace -be upon him) as saying: There will be some to whose ankles the fire will reach, some to whose knees, some to whose waist the fire will reach, and some to whose collar-bone the fire will reach.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2845aIn-book reference : Book 53, Hadith 38USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 40, Hadith 6815
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2845a
This hadith about Hellfire punishment reports that some people will be reached by the fire up to their ankles, some up to their waist, and some up to their collar-bone. The wording gives a clear picture that the fire does not reach everyone in the same way. The text does not explain the deeds behind each level, so we should not add causes that are not mentioned here. The core teaching is that punishment in Hell has different degrees, and all of them are serious. For someone searching for the hadith about levels of Hellfire, this report gives a direct warning from Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. It reminds the reader that accountability is real and that even the lowest level mentioned in the text is not something to treat lightly.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith mentions different extents of fire reaching people.
- The fire reaches some to the ankles, some to the waist, and some to the collar-bone.
- The text does not state the causes behind each degree of punishment.
- It warns that Hellfire punishment is serious even when described in levels.
