Allah swt informs us in the Quran in Surah Al-Hijr that Jahannam has seven gates.
It (Hell) has seven gates, for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.
Al-Hijr (15:44)
Scholars have deduced from this ayah that there are seven layers of Jahannam, each door opening to a particular layer, the layers going down (daraqaat), lower and lower. Each layer shall have its number of inhabitants based upon the type of sins that they have committed.
When the gates of Hell shall be opened, those destined for it, shall enter it and remain in it forever.
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened (suddenly like a prison at the arrival of the prisoners). And its keepers will say, “Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say: “Yes, but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!”It will be said (to them): “Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!”
Az-Zumar (39:71-72)
It is believed that the gravity of sin will take one down in the layers of Jahannam. The more grave the sin committed is, the lowest layer of Jahannam shall be the abode of the sinner. Allahumma ajirni minan naar, may Allah swt protect us from the Fire of Hell.
Each layer will have a different level and degree of punishment. We shall discuss that in later blogs, biiznillah ta’ala. Once the inhabitants have entered the layers of Jahannam through its seven gates, these gates shall then be locked firmly behind them. This implies then the punishment will then intensify and there will be no escape.
The Guards of Jahannam
Jahannam is guarded by nineteen angels, stern and severe, the keepers of fire, the number mentioned only as a trial for people. Allah swt says in the Quran,
O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.
At-Tahrim (66:7)
I will cast him into Hell-fire. And what will make you know (exactly) what Hell-fire is? It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! Burning and blackening the skins!Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell).
Al-Mudassir (74:26-30)
Scholars believe that the number nineteen only implies the main keepers of Hell, and then there may be subordinates. Allahu Alam. The leader of these nineteen gatekeepers of Hell is Maalik. There is a hadith about him, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw him but he did not smile back at him. Then Gibraiel (as) told the Prophet (peace be upon him) that Maalik has never laughed or smiled since he has seen the Jahannam. Such is the reality of hell, we should never forget to seek refuge from it.
The seven gates of Jahannam might be opened or closed before the Day of Judgement. We know from the famous hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
“When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 3277, Book 59, Hadith 86
May Allah swt keep the doors of Jahannam closed for us forever. May we never get to see them even from a distance. May He swt make our life in this world and akhirah easy for us. May His swt’s mercy always prevail over His justice with us.
Ameen.
Zahrat Ash Shams 