The Twenty-eighth Word

Addendum: About Hell

As argued in the Second and Eighth Words, belief bears the seed of a sort of Paradise experienced by the spirit, while unbelief contains the seed of a sort of Hell experienced by the spirit. Just as unbelief is the seed of Hell, Hell is a fruit of unbelief. Unbelief is the cause of entering Hell as well as of its existence and creation. If an insignificant ruler with a small dignity, pride, and majesty were confronted by someone who challenged him: “You cannot punish me,” he would have to cast that person into prison or build a prison if one did not exist already. Denying Hell means that the unbeliever contradicts the infinitely Powerful One, Who has infinite dignity, glory, majesty, and greatness. Such a person accuses Him of impotence and lying, both of which are great affronts to His honor and dignity, and offends His pride, glory, and majesty. If it did not exist already, Hell would have to be created to punish such unbelief and its possessor.

O Lord. You did not create this in vain. All-Glorified are You. Save us from the torment of the Fire.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi