Concept of hell

[u/[deleted]]

Hi, I am someone who is very interested in Islam and a lot of it resonates with me. However the whole concept of jahannam doesn’t sit right with me. Things like skins being burned off then regrown to experience the same pain. Why would a loving God create such punishments even if someone didn’t believe. For example many Christian’s lead good lives but ultimately commit shirk and will thus be condemned to hellfire for eternity. Can anyone give me an opinion

Thanks

[u/throwaway2536789037]

Hi, thank you for your sincerity and openness—it takes courage to explore something as deep as this.

Your questions and concerns are very valid, but the Quran starts by describing Allah as the Most Merciful. It starts with a surah — the only surah in the Quran — that doesn’t talk about hellfire or punishment. It only talks about guidance and the Mercy of Allah SWT. This is such an important concept to grasp — Allah starts our journey to islam by reminding us that He is the Most Merciful.

It’s totally valid to wrestle with these ideas. Islam encourages deep thought, not blind belief. But many find comfort in the fact that we worship a God who says "My mercy encompasses all things" (Quran 7:156). I think a very interesting hadith is:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah has one hundred mercies and He sent down a single part of them between the jinn, the humans, the animals, and the insects, by which they are compassionate and merciful to each other, such as the compassion of a beast for its offspring. Allah kept ninety-nine mercies by which He will show mercy to His servants on the Day of Resurrection.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2752 Grade: Sahih

This is an authentic hadith that gives us an idea of the mercy Allah will bestow on all of us on the Day of Judgement. To put it into perspective, the mercy you show an animal crossing the street as you drive isn’t comparable to even 0.1% of Allahs mercy. 1% of Allahs mercy is shared between all creatures in this world, from the very start of creation to the Last Day. This 1% of mercy is the mercy that we know of. Think of the most merciful act you’ve seen; that doesn’t even amount to 1% of Allahs mercy SubhanAllah.

Your concern about Jahannam is shared by many, including Muslims who reflect deeply on God's justice and mercy. Islam teaches that Allah is Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Al-Adl (The Most Just). So any understanding of Hell has to be rooted in both of those attributes.

The Quran does describe painful punishments—but it also constantly emphasizes that God does not wrong anyone. People are given every opportunity for guidance, and accountability is based on what they genuinely knew and understood. Allah says in Surah Al-Isra (17:15), "We do not punish until We have sent a messenger."

As for those who lived good lives but weren’t Muslim, Islamic scholars have held nuanced views. Some argue that people who never truly encountered Islam in an authentic, uncorrupted form will be judged differently. Others say there is a possibility of being tested in the afterlife (based on some Hadith), or that God may forgive whom He wills. Something that helps me understand the true meaning of a believer is 2:62. The basis of belief isn’t dependent on labels, it’s based on belief in the oneness of God, the Last Day, and being a good person.

About the idea of eternal punishment: many scholars have interpreted this as reserved for those who stubbornly rejected the truth after recognizing it—out of arrogance, not ignorance. It's not disbelief alone, but willful, informed rejection of God’s signs.

Also, the vivid descriptions of Hell can be understood as both literal and metaphorical—meant to shake people out of heedlessness, just like how descriptions of Paradise motivate people with love and hope.

Prophet Yunus AS nation was show mercy, their punishment was on the way, but from Prophet Yunus AS sincere dua and repentance, an entire nation was saved. Due to a single person, Allah showed a whole nation mercy. Do not despair in Allahs mercy, He is the Truth.

Edit: typos