What is Jahannam? Meaning, Etymology and Pronunciation
Jahannam is the Arabic word for hell that appears more than seventy times in the Quran. It comes from a deep root meaning “a deep pit” or “a place that is extremely dark and narrow.” When the Quran speaks about the fire of Jahannam, it does not describe an ordinary fire. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us that the hellfire in Islam is seventy times hotter than the fire we see in this world and it has been prepared for the disbelievers, hypocrites and sinners who die without turning back to Allah.
Many people write Jahanam or Jahnam when they type in English, yet the correct term is Jahannam. What is Jahannam exactly? It is the final place of punishment, the Islamic hell where every soul that rejects the signs of Allah will stay according to its deeds. The very sound of the word makes the hearts of Muslims tremble because the description of hellfire is repeated again and again in the Quran and Hadith as a mercy and a warning—a reminder you can explore further on Daily Salam Dua.
Jahannam in Arabic and Correct Pronunciation
In Arabic it is written جَهَنَّم. You pronounce it: Jah-han-nam (stress on the first “Jah” and the final “nam,” with a strong throat “h” sound). When you recite verses about the torment of hell, saying the name correctly brings the reality closer to the heart.
Jahannam vs Jannah – The Two Final Destinations
After the Day of Judgment, only two homes wait for mankind: Jannah and Jahannam. Heaven and hell stand opposite each other. Jannah is gardens of endless joy for the righteous who believe in Allah and follow the Messenger ﷺ. Jahannam is layers of fire and pain for those who choose sin over obedience. The Quran constantly reminds us of paradise and hell side by side so we never forget that every action leads to one or the other.
Quranic Description of Jahannam: Key Verses on Hellfire and Punishment
The Quran describes Jahannam in words that make the skin shiver. Allah calls it a blazing fire whose fuel is men and stones, a prison with seven gates, each gate for a different group of sinners. The concept of Jahannam is not meant to scare us without reason; it is Allah’s way of protecting us from the very thing He describes.
Major Quranic Verses about Jahannam
| Arabic Text | Transliteration | English Translation | Surah & Verse |
|---|---|---|---|
| إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا لِلطَّاغِينَ مَآبًا | Inna jahannama kanat mirsadan lilttagheena maaba | Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait – for the transgressors, a place of return | 78:21-22 |
| نَارُ اللَّهِ الْمُوقَدَةُ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ | Naru Allahi almuqadatu allati tattaliAAu AAala al-af-idati | [It is] the fire of Allah kindled, which mounts directed at the hearts | 104:6-7 |
| لَهُمْ مِنْ جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ | Lahum min jahannama mihadun wamin fawqihim ghawashin | They will have from Hell a bed and over them coverings [of fire] | 7:41 |
| كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُمْ بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ | Kullama nadijat julooduhum baddalnahum juloodan ghayraha liyathooqoo alAAathaba | Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment | 4:56 |
| يُصْبَبُ فَوْقَ رُءُوسِهِمُ الْحَمِيمُ يُصْهَرُ بِهِ مَا فِي بُطُونِهِمْ وَالْجُلُودُ | Yusabbu fawqa ruoosihim alhameemu yusharu bihi ma fee butoonihim waljulood | Poured upon their heads will be scalding water by which is melted what is within their bellies and their skins | 22:19-20 |
| وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ | Wasuqoo maan hameeman faqattaAAa amAAahum | And they will be given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines | 47:15 |
These verses are only a small part of how often Jahannam is described in the Quran. Each one carries the same message: turn back to Allah before the door is closed.
Allah’s Justice and Warning Through Jahannam
Allah did not create hell in Islam because He loves to punish. He created it because justice must be complete. At the same time, He warns us hundreds of times out of mercy. The fear of hell is a blessing that keeps Muslims away from sin and pushes them toward repentance. Every mention of Jahannam in the Quran is Allah calling His servants back before it is too late.
The Seven Levels of Jahannam According to Quran and Hadith
The Quran speaks of seven gates for Jahannam (15:44) and the Hadith explain that these are seven levels of hell. Each level is deeper and hotter than the one above it, prepared for different types of sinners.
Overview of the 7 Levels of Hell in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Jahannam has seven levels and each level has its own name and group of people. The lightest punishment is on the first level for some sinful Muslims, while the deepest level is for the worst disbelievers and hypocrites. The seven levels of Jahannam show the perfect justice of Allah: the punishment always fits the crime.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Level
| Level | Name (Arabic) | Primary Inhabitants | Main Punishment | Quranic Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jahannam (جَهَنَّم) | Sinful Muslims who still had faith but died without full repentance | Intense fire, yet the least severe among the levels | General name used in the Quran |
| 2 | Laza (لَظَىٰ) | Jews who knowingly rejected the prophets after Musa and Isa (peace be upon them) | Blazing flames that tear the skin | 70:15 |
| 3 | Hutamah (حُطَمَة) | Christians who associated partners with Allah | The Crusher that smashes everything into dust | 104:4-9 |
| 4 | Sa’eer (سَعِير) | Sabians, fire-worshippers and star-worshippers | Raging fire that flares up with violent force | 67:10-11 |
| 5 | Saqar (سَقَر) | Magians and those who denied the truth after clear signs | Fire that burns and completely changes the colour of skin | 74:26-30 |
| 6 | Jaheem (جَحِيم) | Idol-worshippers and polytheists of all nations | Huge towering flames and massive blaze | 26:91, 37:163 |
| 7 | Hawiyah (الْهَاوِيَة) | Hypocrites, Pharaoh-like tyrants and the worst disbelievers | Bottomless abyss, darkest and hottest part of hell | 101:9-11 |
This is how the seven levels of hell mentioned in Quran and Hadith are explained by the early scholars. The layers of hell remind every believer that no sin is small when it is repeated without regret.
Punishments in Jahannam: Fire, Food, Drink and Eternal Torment
Nothing in this world can compare to the punishments of hell. The fire of hell is black, intelligent and obeys Allah completely. It will burn the body and reach the heart at the same time.
The Intensity of Hellfire and Physical Suffering
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The fire of the children of Adam that you kindle is only one-seventieth part of the heat of Jahannam.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim). The people of hell will be dragged on their faces, chained together and thrown into narrow places where the fire presses from every side. Their skins will burn away and grow back again and again so the torment never ends. Boiling water will be poured over their heads, melting their insides and their skins.
Zaqqum, Ghislin and Boiling Water – Food and Drink of Hell
When hunger strikes them, the only food will be the tree of Zaqqum. Allah says:
إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ الزَّقُّومِ طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ
“Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum is food for the sinful. Like murky oil, it boils within bellies the way scalding water boils.” (44:43-46)
Their drink will be Ghislin – the pus and blood that flows from the people of hell – or boiling water that cuts the intestines into pieces. They will neither live nor die, only suffer forever. This is the reward for those who chose this short life over the afterlife and forgot Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Who Will Enter Jahannam? Inhabitants According to Quran and Hadith
The Quran is very clear about who will be thrown into Jahannam. Allah says the fire is waiting for every disbeliever who denied the truth after it came to him and for every hypocrite who smiled at the believers while hiding hate in his heart. Proud people who worshipped others beside Allah and those who killed innocent souls and spread corruption on earth will all be dragged to the place of punishment.
The people of hell will include those who mocked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and those who kept committing huge sins without ever feeling shame. On the Day of Judgment they will admit their own crimes and say they deserve what they get.
Disbelievers, Hypocrites and Major Sinners
The lowest and hottest part of Jahannam is saved for the disbelievers who reject our signs and call the Quran a lie. Polytheists who bowed to stones and tyrants who claimed to be gods will stay in the fire forever. Hypocrites who prayed with the Muslims but worked against Islam at night will be in the bottom of hell because their inside was worse than the open enemies.
Murderers who never repented and people who broke family ties and drank alcohol and earned money through haram ways will also taste long punishment if they die without tawbah. Allah warns us again and again so we never become one of these groups.
Temporary Punishment for Some Believers
A believer who had even a small amount of faith will not stay in Jahannam forever. Some Muslims who fell into big sins like zina or riba or backbiting will enter the fire for a time to clean their hearts. The fire will burn away their sins and then Allah will order the angels to take them out because of their belief in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
The righteous will make dua for them and the mercy of Allah is wider than everything. After their punishment ends they will walk into Jannah with shining faces. This is the difference between a sinner who still says La ilaha illallah and a disbeliever who dies on kufr.
Creatures and Guardians of Jahannam
Jahannam is alive with terrible sounds and powerful creatures that Allah created only for this work. The fire roars and the chains clank and huge angels stand ready to carry out every command without a second of delay.
The Angels of Punishment and Malik, Keeper of Hell
Allah placed nineteen strong angels over Jahannam and their leader is called Malik. Their bodies are huge and their faces are frightening and their voices are like thunder. The Quran tells us that the people of hell will call to Malik and say:
يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ مَاكِثُونَ
“O Malik! Let your Lord put an end to us!” He will say: “No! You will stay.” (43:77)
The angels of punishment are known as Zabaniyah. They have iron hooks and heavy chains and they drag the sinners in hell by their foreheads and feet. Nothing escapes their grip because Allah made them harsh and powerful so the punishment happens exactly as He ordered.
Seeking Protection from Jahannam – Daily Duas from Quran and Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ used to make dua for protection from Jahannam in every prayer and after every salah and even while walking in the street. He taught us short words that carry huge reward if we say them with a fearful heart.
Powerful Duas for Salvation from Hellfire
- رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“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.” (Quran 2:201) - اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the Fire and from the punishment of the grave and from the trials of life and death and from the trial of the False Messiah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim) - اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ (say seven times after Fajr and Maghrib)
“O Allah! Protect me from the Fire.” (Sunan Abi Dawud – authentic) - اللَّهُمَّ حَاسِبْنِي حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا
“O Allah! Judge me with an easy reckoning.” (Musnad Ahmad)
Say these words every day and teach them to your children so the whole family stays safe from the torment of hell.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Jahannam in Islam?
Jahannam is the Arabic word for hell in Islam. The Quran mentions Jahannam more than seventy times as the place of punishment for disbelievers and sinners. It is a real fire prepared by Allah for those who reject faith.
2. How many levels are there in Jahannam?
Jahannam has seven levels. The Quran speaks of seven gates in Surah Al-Hijr verse 44 and each gate leads to a different level for different types of sinners.
3. What are the 7 levels of Jahannam?
The seven levels are Jahannam, Laza, Hutamah, Sa’eer, Saqar, Jaheem and Hawiyah. The lightest punishment is in the first level for sinful Muslims and the deepest level Hawiyah is for hypocrites and the worst disbelievers.
4. Who will enter Jahannam according to the Quran?
Disbelievers, polytheists, hypocrites and unrepentant major sinners will enter Jahannam. Allah says in the Quran that those who reject faith and die in that state will live in the fire forever.
5. Is Jahannam eternal or temporary?
For disbelievers and hypocrites Jahannam is eternal. Some sinful Muslims will stay in Jahannam only until their sins are purified and then Allah will take them out by His mercy.
6. How is Jahannam described in the Quran?
The Quran describes Jahannam as a fire seventy times hotter than worldly fire with boiling water, chains, Zaqqum tree and pus to drink. Skins burn away and grow back again so the pain never stops.
7. Which angel guards Jahannam?
The angel Malik guards Jahannam and nineteen strong angels help him. The people of the fire will call Malik begging for death but he will tell them they must stay.
8. Can someone leave Jahannam after entering?
Believers who enter Jahannam for punishment will leave after purification. Disbelievers and hypocrites will never leave Jahannam because Allah has sealed their hearts.
9. How hot is Jahannam compared to this world’s fire?
The Prophet ﷺ said the fire of Jahannam is seventy times hotter than the fire we know on earth. Even a small spark from Jahannam would burn everything in this world.
10. What are the punishments in Jahannam?
People in Jahannam will be dragged with chains, drink boiling water and pus, eat from the bitter Zaqqum tree and wear clothes of fire.
Conclusion: Reflecting on Jahannam to Strengthen Faith and Actions
Reading about Jahannam is not meant to break our hearts but to wake them up. Allah repeats the warnings about the fire, the seven levels of hell, the boiling water and the tree of Zaqqum only because He loves us and wants us safe in Jannah. Every scary verse is actually mercy calling us back before the door closes forever.
The Prophet ﷺ used to cry until his beard was wet when he remembered Jahannam, even though Paradise was already promised to him. If the best human being feared the fire so much, we have no right to feel safe while we still delay prayers or hurt others. One sincere tear tonight can erase years of sins and save us from tomorrow’s pain.
So let the thought of Jahannam push us to pray on time, give charity, speak gently, honour our parents and read Quran every day. May Allah protect us and our families from the fire and join us with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the highest Jannah. Ameen. On Daily Salam Dua we share these reminders so we all reach home safely.
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