the prayer, for the fierce heat comes from the scorching breath of Hell.’ (1)

Allah—exalted is He—created Paradise and Hell before creating any other being, and He designated for each of them its own people: whomever He wills among them for Paradise, He admits out of pure grace; and whomever He wills among them for Hell, He consigns out of perfect justice.

When a person dies, a gate is opened for him in his grave: for the believer it is a gateway to Paradise, while for the disbeliever it is a doorway to Hell. This clearly proves that Paradise and Hell already exist, even though the people of misguidance deny this and claim that they will only be brought into being on the Day of Resurrection.

Allah has decreed a company for Paradise and a company for Hell, and they will be recompensed in accordance with their deeds.

Paradise itself is not earned by deeds; deeds are merely a means. Paradise is attained only by the favour of Allah. No matter how numerous a human being’s righteous actions may be, they can never equal the worth of Paradise. It is bestowed solely by Allah’s grace, while righteous deeds serve as the cause: ‘Enter Paradise for what you used to do’ [An-Nahl 32]—that is, because of the deeds you performed.

Entry into Hell, on the other hand, is the result of disbelief; it is Allah’s justice that leads the disbeliever into the Fire.