al-Janna wa al-Nar

al-Janna wa al-Nar (Paradise and Hellfire) is a treatise on Islamic eschatology and creed by the Jordanian-Palestinian scholar Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar (d. 1433 AH / 2012 CE), examining the nature, descriptions, inhabitants, and deeds leading to Paradise and Hellfire in Islamic belief Fatawa al-Shabaka al-Isla…+1.

Context and Scope

The book constitutes the third volume of the eschatological subdivision of al-Ashqar's broader theological series al-Aqida fi Daw' al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (Creed in Light of the Quran and Sunna), following his works al-Qiyama al-Sughra (The Minor Resurrection) and al-Qiyama al-Kubra (The Major Resurrection) al-Inhiraf al-Aqadi fi Ad…+1. The work was published by Maktabat al-Falah in 1406 AH / 1986 CE al-Inhiraf al-Aqadi fi Ad…. Al-Ashqar's methodology across the work is rooted in systematic presentation of textual evidence drawn directly from the Quran and authenticated prophetic hadiths, explaining theological tenets according to the framework of Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jama'a Fatawa al-Shabaka al-Isla…+1.

Structure and Contents

The work is organized into detailed discussions covering both abodes of the afterlife:

Hellfire (al-Nar)

Al-Ashqar addresses the reality and location of Hellfire, citing classical traditions concerning its place al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. He details the causes and deeds that lead people into Hell, including disbelief, neglecting obligatory duties while denying the Day of Judgment, following corrupt leaders who mislead from divine guidance, hypocrisy, and arrogance al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1. Specific prohibited acts mentioned in hadith texts—such as drinking from gold and silver vessels or unjustifiably cutting shade trees—are also addressed al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. The book outlines the severe punishments of Hellfire, including the dragging of inmates on their faces while bound in chains, the blackening of their faces, and the continuous renewal of roasted skins al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1. Al-Ashqar notes that the level of punishment varies based on the severity of deeds, and clarifies that monotheists who committed major sins and entered Hellfire will not remain there eternally, but will eventually be extracted through divine mercy and intercession al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1.

Paradise (al-Janna)

Al-Ashqar defines Paradise as the supreme reward and unblemished bliss prepared by God for His obedient servants, an abode whose reality transcends human imagination and renders worldly pleasures insignificant by comparison al-Janna wa al-Nar. He discusses the welcoming of the righteous by the angels upon arrival, the descriptions of its vast trees—such as the tree whose shade takes a rider one hundred years to cross, Sidrat al-Muntaha, the Tuba tree from whose blossoms the garments of the believers are produced, and trees with golden trunks—and the virtue of multiplying one's trees in Paradise through remembrance (dhikr) of God al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+2. The book also outlines the masters of its dwellers, citing traditions that Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab are the leaders of the mature men of Paradise, while al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the leaders of its youth al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. Other topics covered include the descriptions and songs of the hur al-'ayn, the relative disparity in the timing of entry between the poor and the wealthy, and the slaughter of death between Paradise and Hellfire, sealing the permanent eternity of both abodes al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+2.

Reception

The book, along with al-Ashqar's broader creed series, is widely referenced and recommended by contemporary scholars and educational authorities as a structured, accessible reference for students beginning their study of Islamic creed and the afterlife Durus lil-Shaykh Salih al…+1.