Ethics

Prophets have taught people the true religion, announced the good reward of Paradise, and warned them against the punishment of Hell. Those who obey God's commands and work to earn His good pleasure will be rewarded with Paradise, and those who were called to God's righteous path but declined to follow it will face an eternal and horrific punishment in Hell. The Qur'an reveals that believers will find eternal bliss, happiness, and goodness in Paradise. Unbelievers, on the other hand, will face an eternal life of unequalled suffering and sorrow in Hell: But as for those who believe and do right actions, We will admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, forever and ever. God's promise is true. Whose speech could be truer than God's? (Qur'an, 4:122)

Those who do not believe will be driven to Hell in companies. When they arrive there and its gates are opened, its custodians will ask them: "Did Messengers from yourselves not come to you, reciting your Lord's Signs to you and warning you of the meeting on this Day of yours?" They will say: "Indeed they did, but the decree of punishment is justly carried out against the unbelievers." (Qur'an, 39:71)

People who abide by God's commands and work to earn His good pleasure will be rewarded with the most stunning homes, splendid cloths, beautiful jewelry, tastiest foods and drinks. Moreover, God will cause them to live in peace and happiness together with their friends and loved ones. But those who are ungrateful to God and rebellious will have committed the gravest sin and therefore will deserve the punishment of Hell. The Qur'an reveals that the suffering therein is incomparably horrendous, painful, and devastating. The ceaseless and eternal physical and spiritual suffering is accompanied by confinement, darkness, smoke, revolting foods and drinks, cries, burning heat, metal whips, boiling water, and other types of sufferings. The Qur'an also reveals that its inhabitants will finally admit their guilt; be debased, forsaken, and remorseful; and desire to return to Earth or to be exterminated. They will beg for help but not receive any; they will ask for their sufferings to be eased, but their request will be denied.

The Torah and the Bible reveal that good people and evil people are not equal in His presence and that everyone will get what they deserve. The Bible explains the distinction between good and bad people in the following allegory: Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew, 13:47-50)

The Bible reveals that the righteous will find eternal life (Matthew, 25:46), and that the evil-doers will be cast into the eternal fire together with Satan (Matthew, 25:41) and experience eternal punishment therein (Matthew, 25:46). How will you escape being condemned to Hell? (Matthew, 23:33) and Fear Him Who, after killing the body, has the power to throw you into Hell (Luke, 12:5) are reminders of this severe punishment. Another Biblical passage describes the suffering, hopelessness, and remorse of those in Hell, as follows:

The time came when the beggar [Lazarus] died... The rich man also died and was buried. So he called… "have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." (Luke, 16:22-26)

The Torah states that those who do good will be rewarded with good and that those who do evil will be punished for their deeds: Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. (Isaiah, 3:10-11) ... trembling grips the godless: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" (Isaiah, 33:14)

Adapted from: "A Call for Unity" by: "Harun Yahya"