You think Hell is for disbelievers only. For atheists, idol worshippers, people who reject Allah completely. You say your Shahadah—La ilaha illallah—and assume that’s your ticket out of Hellfire forever.
But the Prophet ﷺ saw something that should shatter that delusion.
Hell Complained to Allah
Abu Hurairah reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (537, 3260) and Sahih Muslim (617): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Hell complained to its Lord saying: ‘O my Lord! My parts are eating one another.’ So Allah allowed it to take two breaths—one in winter and one in summer. That is the reason for the severe heat and the bitter cold you find.”
Hell complained. The Fire spoke. It told Allah: my parts are consuming each other. I’m so intense, so ferocious, that without enough fuel—without enough souls—I’m destroying myself.
So Allah gave it relief: two breaths per year. The extreme heat you feel in summer? That’s Hell breathing out. The bitter cold in winter? Hell’s cold chamber—Zamhareer—releasing its freeze.
But here’s what should terrify you: Hell’s complaint wasn’t “I have too many souls.” It was “I need more.”
Who Fills Hell?
[Surah As-Sajdah, Ayah 13]
“If We had willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me will come into effect: ‘I will surely fill Hell with jinn and people all together.'”
Allah will fill Hell. Not partially occupy it. Not sprinkle a few souls here and there. Fill it—completely, with jinn and humans together.
And who are these humans? Only the disbelievers? Only the idol worshippers?
No. Muslims too. Those who claimed to believe but lived like they didn’t.
The Prophet Saw Hell’s Inhabitants
Usama bin Zaid reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (3241) and Sahih Muslim (2770): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I was shown the Hellfire and I saw that most of its inhabitants were women.”
Most of Hell’s inhabitants. Not a small percentage. Not half. Most—the majority—are women.
And before anyone misunderstands: these aren’t disbelieving women. These are Muslim women. The Prophet ﷺ explained why:
“They are ungrateful to their husbands and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one undesirable thing in you, she will say: ‘I have never had anything good from you.'”
Ingratitude. Complaining despite blessings. Speaking harshly to husbands. Backbiting. Gossip. Showing off. These “small” sins that Muslim women engage in casually—the Prophet saw them leading to Hell. By the millions.
And men? Don’t think you’re safe. Abandoning prayer. Disobeying parents. Wronging people financially. Drinking alcohol. Watching haram. Zina. Arrogance. All paths straight to the Fire.
Between Jannah and Jahannam—Nothing in the Middle
[Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Ayah 7-11]
“And you will be [divided into] three categories: The companions of the right—what are the companions of the right? And the companions of the left—what are the companions of the left? And the foremost in faith will be the foremost [in Paradise].”
Three groups. Those destined for Paradise. Those destined for Hell. And the foremost who get the highest ranks in Paradise.
Notice what’s missing? No middle ground. No “I’m Muslim so I’m automatically okay.” You’re either heading to Paradise or Hell, and your deeds right now are determining which.
“But I Pray Sometimes”
Abdullah ibn Shaqiq reported: The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ did not consider abandoning any deed as disbelief except abandoning prayer.
Prayer is the line. The scholars debated whether abandoning it makes you a disbeliever or just brings severe punishment. But they all agreed: if you die while deliberately abandoning Salah, you’re in serious danger of Hell.
Not “might be punished then forgiven.” Not “quick stop in Hell then Paradise.” Serious danger of permanent Hell—because leaving prayer is leaving the pillar of Islam that separates believers from disbelievers.
The Prophet ﷺ said in Sahih Muslim (82):
“Between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer.”
That’s how serious it is. You don’t pray? You’ve crossed the line into the territory of disbelief. And where do disbelievers go? Hell. Forever.
“But I’m Muslim!” you protest. “I believe in Allah!”
Your belief means nothing without action. Shaytan believes in Allah too. He knows Allah exists. He spoke directly to Him. And where is he going? Hell.
The Believers Hell Will Swallow
Not every Muslim goes to Hell. But some will—those whose bad deeds outweighed their good, who died without repenting from major sins, who lived carelessly thinking “I’m Muslim” was enough protection.
They’ll be punished in Hell until purified. Some for years. Some for centuries. Some for millennia. Eventually—if they had even an atom’s weight of true faith—they’ll be removed from Hell and admitted to Paradise.
But why go through that? Why spend even one second in Hellfire when you could avoid it entirely by obeying Allah now?
The scholars mention categories of Muslims who enter Hell temporarily:
Those who abandoned Salah deliberately. You skipped prayers your whole life, thinking you’d make them up later? Hell first. Then maybe Paradise—if your faith was genuine.
Those who wronged others without seeking forgiveness. You hurt people, stole from them, destroyed their reputations, broke their hearts—and never apologized, never made it right? They’ll take your good deeds on Judgment Day. If your good deeds run out, their sins get loaded onto you. Then Hell.
Those who committed major sins and died without repentance. Zina. Drinking alcohol. Dealing in interest. Disobeying parents. Breaking family ties. If you died while actively engaged in these sins without sincere tawbah, Allah may punish you in Hell first before admitting you to Paradise.
Those whose bad deeds outweighed their good. You prayed—but barely. You gave charity—occasionally. You fasted Ramadan—when convenient. Meanwhile, you backbit constantly. Lied regularly. Cheated people. Wronged your family. The scale tipped toward bad. Hell first.
Hell Doesn’t Care About Your Label
You can call yourself Muslim. You can have “Muhammad” in your name. You can dress modestly, grow a beard, wear hijab. You can know all the right Islamic phrases, quote hadith in conversations, give advice about Deen to others.
None of that matters if your actions contradict your claims.
Hell doesn’t check your label. It doesn’t ask: “Are you Muslim or non-Muslim?” It weighs your deeds. And if those deeds—despite your Muslim identity—lead to Hell, that’s where you go.
The scholars warn: Don’t assume being born Muslim saves you. Don’t think saying Shahadah once as a child protects you forever. Those things are starting points—not finish lines.
Your destination depends on how you lived—not what you called yourself.
What You Must Do Right Now
Stop playing games with your Islam. Stop living like Hell is for “other people”—the really bad ones, the disbelievers, the worst sinners. Hell is prepared for anyone who disobeys Allah, including you.
Pray every single Salah. Not sometimes. Not when you feel like it. Every single one. This is non-negotiable. Miss it and you’re flirting with the line between believer and disbeliever.
Repent from all major sins immediately. Whatever you’re engaged in—alcohol, drugs, zina, interest, disobeying parents, wronging people—stop today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today. Make sincere tawbah. Cry to Allah. Beg His forgiveness. Change your life before death catches you in that sin.
Fix what you broke with people. Anyone you wronged—financially, emotionally, reputationally—go make it right. Apologize. Pay back what you owe. Seek their forgiveness before Judgment Day when they’ll take your good deeds as compensation.
Take your deeds seriously. Stop dismissing sins as “small.” Stop justifying disobedience. Stop comparing yourself to “worse” Muslims to feel better. Compare yourself to the companions. To the Prophet ﷺ. To the standard Allah set.
Remember Hell constantly. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures”—meaning death. And remember what comes after: the grave, the questioning, Judgment Day, the Sirat, and for some, Hell.
Let that reality grip your heart. Let it change how you live. Let it make you weep in private. Let it drive you to your knees in repentance.
The Reality You Can’t Escape
Hell is real. It’s not metaphor. It’s not spiritual symbolism. It’s literal Fire, prepared by Allah, fueled by stones and human beings who rejected Him or disobeyed Him.
And it’s hungry. It complained—not because it’s full, but because it needs more fuel. And Allah promised to fill it.
With disbelievers, yes. But also with negligent believers. With Muslims who thought their label protected them while their actions condemned them.
Make sure you’re not one of them.
Because on Judgment Day, when Hell is brought forth—roaring, raging, demanding its inhabitants—and the angels ask: “Where are the rest?”
Don’t let the answer be: You.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting Islamic teachings from authentic Quranic verses, hadith collections, and scholarly interpretations, readers are advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars for specific religious rulings and detailed interpretations. The content reflects understanding drawn from classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship regarding Hell, Judgment Day, and the requirements of faith, and should not replace personal consultation with knowledgeable religious authorities.