What Characteristics of the People of Hell Are Mentioned in the Quran?

The Holy Quran, as a divine guide, clearly and explicitly outlines not only the path to salvation and Paradise but also repeatedly warns about the characteristics and actions that lead to Hellfire and divine torment. These descriptions aim to awaken humanity and guide them towards eternal felicity, so that every person, aware of the destiny of their thoughts and deeds, may choose the right path and avoid destruction. The people of Hell in the Quran are introduced with diverse characteristics, both doctrinal and practical, indicating fundamental deviations from the path of truth. One of the most prominent characteristics of the people of Hell is 'disbelief' (Kufr) and 'associating partners with Allah' (Shirk). These are individuals who do not believe in the Almighty God and His prophets, and they deny the clear divine truths. Disbelief is not merely a lack of belief; it includes the conscious and stubborn denial of truth, even when it is known. Some disbelievers ignore or even mock the signs of God, which are spread throughout the universe and within human beings. Shirk, on the other hand, means assigning partners to God in divinity, lordship, or worship, whether these partners are idols, individuals, or even personal desires that are prioritized over God's command. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that shirk is an unforgivable sin that leads to eternal torment unless the individual repents before death. These doctrinal deviations are also considered the root of many subsequent moral and practical deviations, because when the origin and return (to God) are not properly understood, moral standards also become chaotic. Another characteristic is 'arrogance' (Takabbur) and 'haughtiness' (Istikbar). Arrogant people consider themselves superior and refuse to accept the truth, even if it becomes clear to them. They refuse to follow the divine prophets and the commands of their Lord because their pride does not allow them to submit to the truth. Arrogance not only prevents faith but also leads to oppression and injustice towards others. Pharaoh is a prime example of the arrogant in the Quran, who, due to his arrogance, refused to believe in Moses (peace be upon him) and eventually perished. These individuals remain deaf and blind even in the face of clear signs of divine power, and instead of contemplation and submission, they resort to contention and denial. Arrogance creates a heart that is unwilling to accept guidance, leading to misguidance and misery. 'Lying' and 'denying divine verses' are other traits of the people of Hell. These are individuals who consider the truth to be false and deny God's verses. This denial can include denying prophets, holy scriptures, the Day of Judgment, or even the truth of monotheism. Lying manifests not only in speech but also in intention and action, leading to corruption on earth. The Quran severely reprimands liars and deniers, stating that their inevitable fate is Hell. These individuals, even when given opportunities for repentance and return, persist in their lies and denial, thereby closing the door to salvation for themselves. This characteristic is particularly severe in the case of those who, despite knowing the truth, deny it. 'Oppression' (Dhulm) and 'tyranny' are also actions that the Quran strongly prohibits and considers their perpetrators among the people of Hell. Oppression can include oppression of oneself (by committing sins and shirk), oppression of others (by violating their rights, usurping property, harassment), and oppression of God (by disobedience and disbelief). Oppressors are those who transgress divine limits and, instead of justice and benevolence, engage in corruption and destruction. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that God does not love oppressors and will bring them to justice for their deeds. This oppression encompasses all forms of social, economic, and political injustice that lead to human suffering and degrade society. 'Hypocrisy' (Nifaq) and 'duplicity' are also prominent characteristics of some of the people of Hell, especially in its lower levels. Hypocrites are those who outwardly present themselves as believers but are inwardly disbelievers and seek to undermine religion and the Islamic community. They outwardly cooperate with Muslims but in private mock religion and collude with enemies. The Quran promises that hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell, because their betrayal and deception inflict a more severe blow to the Islamic community and destroy public trust. Hypocrisy is a disease that sickens the heart and distances a person from truth. These individuals constantly live in doubt and never achieve true peace. Furthermore, 'neglecting religious obligations' such as not performing prayers, not paying zakat, and 'disregarding the needy and orphans' are also mentioned in the Quran as characteristics of the people of Hell. In Surah Al-Muddaththir, after asking the people of Hell what led them there, they reply: "We were not of those who prayed, Nor did we used to feed the poor, And we used to enter into vain discourse with the [e.g., polytheists], And we used to deny the Day of Recompense, Until there came to us the certainty (death)." This verse clearly indicates that neglecting obligations, disregarding the rights of the poor and needy, and siding with falsehoods are major factors leading to Hell. This shows that faith is not merely a belief of the heart but must manifest in one's actions and behavior, encompassing both divine rights and the rights of people. Also, 'excessive worldly ambition,' 'amassing wealth without regard for lawful or unlawful means,' and 'harming people' are negative traits mentioned in the Quran. Those who make this world their ultimate goal, neglect the remembrance of the Hereafter, greedily accumulate wealth, and violate the rights of others, expose themselves to divine punishment. The Quran clearly warns that wealth and children are the adornments of worldly life, but if they distract a person from the remembrance of God, they become a cause of destruction. These individuals engage in injustice and transgression against others' rights in their worldly lives and believe that with their wealth and power, they can escape divine accountability, unaware that a Day of Judgment awaits where everyone will receive reward or punishment according to their deeds. In summary, the people of Hell in the Holy Quran are those who refuse to believe in God and His signs, act arrogantly, lie and deny truths, oppress themselves and others, engage in hypocrisy, neglect their religious duties, disregard the rights of the needy, and become engrossed in materialism and corruption. These characteristics not only lead an individual's life to ruin but also have negative impacts on society, indicating a diseased heart and a corrupt soul that has distanced itself from divine mercy. Understanding these characteristics serves as a reminder for everyone to always walk the path of truth and justice and to avoid the path that leads to Hell.