The Hell and the Paradise fell into dispute and the Hell said: I have been dis- tinguished by the proud and the haughty. And the Paradise said: What is the matter with me that the meek and the humble amongst people and the downtrodden and the simple enter me? Thereupon Allah said to the Paradise: You are (the means) of My Mercy whereby I show mercy to those of My servants whom 1 wish, and He said to the Hell: You are (the means) of punishment whereby 1 punish those of My servants whoml wish. Both of you will be full. The Hell will riot be filled up until Allah puts down His foot in it. The Hell would say: Enough, enough, enough, and at that time it will be filled up, all its parts integrated together.
The Dispute Between Paradise and Hell
This profound narration from Sahih Muslim 2846 b in "The Book of Paradise, its Description, its Bounties and its Inhabitants" reveals a remarkable dialogue between Paradise and Hell. The Hell boasts of receiving the arrogant and proud, while Paradise expresses wonder at receiving the humble and meek. This demonstrates the divine justice where each realm receives inhabitants according to their spiritual states and deeds.
Divine Decree and Purpose
Allah's response establishes the fundamental purpose of both realms: Paradise as the manifestation of Divine Mercy and Hell as the instrument of Divine Justice. This distinction clarifies that neither realm operates independently but serves as tools of Allah's perfect wisdom and judgment.
The declaration that "both of you will be full" affirms the completeness of divine planning and the fulfillment of Allah's predetermined decree. Nothing in creation remains unused or incomplete in the divine scheme.
The Filling of Hell
The description of Hell not being filled until Allah places His foot therein contains deep theological meaning. Classical scholars interpret this as indicating the ultimate fulfillment of divine justice and the completion of Allah's predetermined judgment.
Hell's cry of "enough" demonstrates that even the realm of punishment operates within divine limits and acknowledges when its capacity for justice has been perfectly fulfilled according to Allah's infinite wisdom.