The Food and Drink of the People of Hell

 

In Islam, belief in the afterlife, including the existence of Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam), is a fundamental part of faith. While Jannah is described as a place of eternal joy, peace, and luxurious blessings, Jahannam is a realm of unimaginable suffering and torment for those who reject faith and engage in sinful deeds without repentance. One of the most terrifying aspects of Hell is the food and drink that its inhabitants are forced to consume.

Unlike the delicious and nourishing food of Jannah, the provisions in Hell are meant to increase the suffering of its inhabitants. The Quran and Hadith provide vivid descriptions of the food and drink in Jahannam, portraying them as disgusting, painful, and harmful. The main sources of food in Hell include Zaqqum (a cursed tree with devil-like fruit), Daree’ (a dry, thorny plant), and Ghisleen (pus and filth from wounds). The drinks include boiling water (Hamim), scalding molten brass (Muhl), and a mixture of pus and blood (Ghusaaq).

This article explores these horrific punishments in detail, emphasizing the importance of seeking Allah’s mercy and living a righteous life to avoid such a dreadful fate.

The Quran and Hadith describe these punishments in horrific detail, portraying food and drink that boil the insides, cause immense pain, and fail to satisfy hunger or thirst. The main types of food and drink mentioned include:

  1. The Tree of Zaqqum (طعام الأثيم) – A cursed tree in Hell whose fruit resembles the heads of devils.
  2. Daree’ (الضريع) – A dry, thorny plant that neither nourishes nor satisfies.
  3. Ghisleen (غسلين) – Filth and pus from the wounds of the sinners.
  4. Hamim (حميم) – Boiling water that scalds the intestines.
  5. Ghusaaq (غساق) – A mixture of pus, blood, and filth.
  6. Muhl (مُهْل) – A molten substance like burning oil or molten brass.

Each of these punishments is meant to increase the suffering of the inhabitants of Jahannam rather than provide any relief.

The Food of the People of Hell

 

The Tree of Zaqqum (شجرة الزقوم)

The Tree of Zaqqum is a horrific source of “food” in Hell. It is mentioned in the Quran as a tree that grows from the depths of Hellfire and produces fruits that worsen the suffering of those who eat them.

Quranic Description of Zaqqum

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Quran:

إِنَّ شَجَرَةَ الزَّقُّومِ ۝ طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ ۝ كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ ۝ كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ ۝
“Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum is food for the sinful. Like molten brass, it boils in the bellies like the boiling of scalding water.”
(Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:43-46)

This means that eating from Zaqqum does not relieve hunger; rather, it burns from the inside and increases suffering.

Hadith About Zaqqum

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“لو أن قطرة من الزقوم سقطت في الدنيا لأفسدت على أهل الأرض معيشتهم، فكيف بمن يكون طعامه؟”

“If a drop of Zaqqum were to fall into the world, it would ruin the livelihood of all the inhabitants of the Earth. So how will it be for the one who must eat from it?”
(Tirmidhi 2585)

This Hadith illustrates just how terrible this food is—a single drop would be enough to destroy all life on Earth.

The Food and Drink of the People of Hell

Daree’ (الضريع) – The Thorny Plant

 

Among the horrifying punishments of Hell is the food known as Daree’ (الضريع), a dry, thorny plant that offers no nourishment or relief but instead increases the suffering of those who consume it. It is one of the few sources of “food” available to the people of Hell, yet it neither satisfies hunger nor provides any benefit.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) describes Daree’ in the Quran, saying:

لَيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ ضَرِيعٍ ۝ لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ ۝
“They will have no food except from a thorny, dry plant, which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.”
(Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88:6-7)

Daree’ is so dry and sharp that it tears the mouths and throats of those who try to eat it. It does not provide any strength, relief, or sustenance—it only worsens their torment. In contrast to the delicious and nourishing food of Jannah, Daree’ is a form of punishment, showing the stark difference between the rewards of Paradise and the suffering of Hell.

This terrifying reality serves as a powerful reminder for us to strive for righteousness and seek refuge in Allah’s mercy.

Ghisleen (غسلين) – The Filth of Wounds

 

One of the most revolting and humiliating punishments in Hell is the food known as Ghisleen (غسلين). It is described as filth, pus, and discharge from the wounds of the sinners, making it one of the most disgusting and unbearable forms of sustenance in Jahannam. Instead of providing relief, it increases the torment of its consumers.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Quran:

فَلَيْسَ لَهُ الْيَوْمَ هَاهُنَا حَمِيمٌ ۝ وَلَا طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ غِسْلِينٍ ۝ لَا يَأْكُلُهُ إِلَّا الْخَاطِئُونَ ۝
“So there is no friend for him here this Day, nor any food except from the discharge of wounds. None will eat it except the sinners.”
(Surah Al-Haqqah 69:35-37)

This means that only the most sinful and wretched people will be forced to eat Ghisleen, adding to their humiliation. Unlike nourishing food, this vile substance causes disgust, pain, and suffering.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned about the horrors of Hell and its punishments, urging people to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness. The torment of Ghisleen serves as a reminder that Hell is a place of unimaginable suffering, and we must strive to obey Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to be saved from such a fate.

The Drinks of the People of Hell

 

In Hell, the drinks of its inhabitants are not sources of refreshment or relief but rather intensify their suffering. The Quran and Hadith describe several horrifying types of drinks in Jahannam, each designed to increase the torment of those who are condemned to it.

One of the most terrifying drinks is Hamim (حميم), a boiling water so intense that it scalds the faces and burns the insides of those who drink it. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ ۝
“And they will be given to drink boiling water so that it cuts their intestines to pieces.”
(Surah Muhammad 47:15)

Another horrific drink is Muhl (مُهْل), a molten liquid resembling burning oil or melted brass. It does not quench thirst but melts the skin and organs. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) describes it:

وَإِنْ يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ ۝
“And if they ask for relief, they will be given water like molten brass, which will scald their faces.”
(Surah Al-Kahf 18:29)

Additionally, Ghusaaq (غساق), a mixture of pus, blood, and filth, is also served to the sinners, increasing their humiliation and pain. These drinks are part of the endless torment in Hell, reminding us of the importance of seeking Allah’s mercy.

Ghusaaq (غساق) – Pus and Blood

 

One of the most horrifying punishments for the inhabitants of Hell (Jahannam) is being forced to drink Ghusaaq (غساق), a filthy, putrid mixture of pus, blood, and bodily secretions from the wounds of sinners. This revolting substance is neither nourishing nor refreshing; rather, it is a source of extreme pain, disgust, and humiliation.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) describes Ghusaaq in the Quran, saying:

هَذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٌ وَغَسَّاقٌ ۝ وَآخَرُ مِنْ شَكْلِهِ أَزْوَاجٌ ۝
“This is so, so let them taste it – boiling fluid and filthy wound discharges. And other similar torments of various kinds.”
(Surah Sad 38:57-58)

This disgusting punishment is given to the most sinful individuals, making their suffering even more unbearable. Unlike the pure and refreshing drinks of Jannah, Ghusaaq is foul, unbearable, and degrading, a punishment that symbolizes the consequences of disobedience and rejection of faith.

The torment of drinking Ghusaaq is meant to instill fear and serve as a warning to mankind. It reminds us of the importance of seeking Allah’s mercy, obeying His commands, and striving to avoid the path that leads to Jahannam. May Allah protect us from such a fate. Ameen.

Muhl (مُهْل) – Molten Brass or Oil

 

Another terrifying drink in Hell is Muhl, a scalding liquid that resembles melted brass or boiling oil.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَإِنْ يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ ۝ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ۝
“And if they ask for relief, they will be given water like molten brass, which will scald their faces. How terrible a drink and how evil a resting place!”
(Surah Al-Kahf 18:29)

This drink melts the skin and adds to the unbearable suffering in Hell.

Conclusion

 

The descriptions of the food and drink of the people of Hell serve as a terrifying reminder of the consequences of rejecting faith and indulging in sin. Unlike the pure, nourishing, and delicious provisions of Jannah, the food and drink in Jahannam are designed to intensify the suffering of its inhabitants. The Tree of Zaqqum burns from within, Daree’ causes immense agony without providing nourishment, and Ghisleen is the filth of wounds, making it unbearable to consume. Similarly, the drinks in Hell—boiling water (Hamim), molten brass (Muhl), and a mixture of pus and blood (Ghusaaq)—do not quench thirst but instead increase pain and suffering.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has given these vivid descriptions in the Quran and Hadith as a warning to mankind, urging people to turn to Him in repentance and strive for righteousness. Hell is not a place one can endure, and its punishments are beyond imagination. By seeking Allah’s mercy, performing righteous deeds, and following the teachings of Islam, we can hope to be among those who are saved from this torment and granted the eternal bliss of Jannah.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) protect us from the punishment of Hell and guide us to His mercy. Ameen.

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