101 – The Seventh Ḥadīth: On his authority, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Hellfire is veiled by desires, and Paradise is veiled by hardships.” Agreed upon. Muslim narrates it with the wording, “surrounded” instead of “veiled,” which carries the same meaning: a barrier stands between a person and each of them; once he breaks through it he enters.

[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Hellfire is surrounded by desires,” while another wording has “veiled”; and, “Paradise is surrounded by hardships,” with another wording stating, “veiled by hardships.” In other words, each is encircled by its respective barrier: Hellfire by desires, and Paradise by hardships.

Desires (shahawāt) are whatever the soul yearns for without reflection, insight, regard for religion, or sense of honor.

Fornication—Allah’s refuge is sought—is a craving of the sexual instinct to which the soul is strongly drawn; when someone tears down this barrier it becomes a cause for his entry into the Fire.

The same applies to drinking wine; the soul covets it and inclines toward it, which is why the Lawgiver has prescribed the deterrent punishment of flogging. If a person breaks this barrier and drinks wine, it will lead him to the Fire—may Allah protect us.