The Bridge (ṣirāṭ) and the passage over it
Among the events of the Day of Resurrection is that the people will be made to cross the ṣirāṭ, a bridge stretched across the surface of Hell. Every earlier and later generation will be brought to it. People will traverse it in proportion to their deeds. It is finer than a strand of hair, sharper than a sword, and hotter than burning coals. Upon it are hooks that seize those they have been commanded to seize. People cross it in keeping with their works: some flash across like lightning, others as swiftly as the wind, others like a galloping horse, others at the pace of a man running, others walk, others crawl, while yet others are snatched away and thrown into Hell. We ask Allah for safety and well-being.
Al-Safārīnī said: “There is unanimous agreement on affirming the ṣirāṭ in general. The people of truth affirm it in its literal sense: a bridge stretched across the surface of Hell, sharper than a sword and finer than a hair. This outward meaning was rejected by Qāḍī ʿAbd al-Jabbār al-Muʿtazilī and many of his followers, claiming that it cannot be crossed, and that even if crossing were possible it would constitute torment, whereas—according to them—no torment befalls the believers and the righteous on the Day of Resurrection. They therefore said that what is meant is the path to Paradise indicated by His saying, “He will guide them and improve their condition” 1, and the path to the Fire indicated by His saying, “Drive them to the path of Hell” 2. Others interpreted it as a reference to the clear proofs, the lawful matters, and the blameworthy deeds about which a person will be questioned and held accountable. All of this is false and fanciful, for the textual proofs must be left in their literal realities. Crossing the ṣirāṭ is no more astonishing than walking on water, flying through the air, or standing suspended therein; and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when asked about the disbeliever being gathered on his face, answered that the divine power is fully capable of that …” End of quote.