5/32. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 617c — Hellfire's Two Exhalations
The recommendation to delay Zuhr (until it has cooled down) in severe heat for one who finds it too hot in route to join the congregation
Hellfire’s Two Exhalations: Hadith on Extreme Heat and Cold
Sahih Muslim : 617c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 617c
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا حَيْوَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَزِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ الْهَادِ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " قَالَتِ النَّارُ رَبِّ أَكَلَ بَعْضِي بَعْضًا فَأْذَنْ لِي أَتَنَفَّسْ . فَأَذِنَ لَهَا بِنَفَسَيْنِ نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْفِ فَمَا وَجَدْتُمْ مِنْ بَرْدٍ أَوْ زَمْهَرِيرٍ فَمِنْ نَفَسِ جَهَنَّمَ وَمَا وَجَدْتُمْ مِنْ حَرٍّ أَوْ حَرُورٍ فَمِنْ نَفَسِ جَهَنَّمَ " .
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The Fire said to the Lord: O Lord! some parts of mine have consumed the others, so allow me to exhale (in order to find some relief from this congestion). It was granted permission to take two exhalations, one exhalation during the winter and the other exhalation during the summer So whatever you perceive in the form of intense cold or hurting cold is from the exhalation of Hell. And whatever you perceive in the form of extreme heat or intense beat is from the exhalation of Hell.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 617cIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 237USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1292
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 617c
This Hadith gives a detailed wording about the two exhalations of Hell. The Fire said to its Lord that some parts had consumed others and asked for permission to exhale. It was allowed two exhalations: one in winter and one in summer. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that whatever people find of intense cold or hurting cold is from the exhalation of Hell, and whatever they find of extreme heat or intense heat is also from the exhalation of Hell. The Hadith is about the unseen and connects extreme weather conditions to a reminder of Hell. It should be explained as the narration states, without adding extra details beyond the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Fire is described as asking its Lord for permission to exhale.
- It was granted one exhalation in winter and one in summer.
- Intense cold and extreme heat are linked to those exhalations.
- The Hadith reminds people of the unseen through strong physical experiences.
