THE ROAD WHICH PASSES FROM THE TOP OF HELL

Dec 24, '12 10:44 AM for everyone

Siraat in Arabic means a way or a road; according to traditions, it is a bridge or road which passes from the top of Hell.  In a Hadith it is stated that Pul-e-Siraat is a bridge thinner than a hair, sharper than a sword and hotter than fire. In the Hereafter, true believers will pass over it quickly, some will find some difficulty crossing it but will eventually find relief, and others will slip and fall down in the pits of Hell. Shaikh Abbas Qummi mentions in Manazelul Akhera that the likeness of Pul-e-Siraat is of "The Right Path" (Siraat al-Mustaqim) of this world – the path of our Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them); in Sura Fatiha, Siraat al-Mustaqim refers to both these paths: the path of the Ahlul Bayt and Pul-e-Siraat. Not a single person will be able to escape from walking over this bridge – neither the people of Paradise, nor the people of Hell. Allah says in the Qur'an: "And there is not one of you but shall come to it, this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. And we will deliver those who guarded (against evil), and we will leave the unjust therein on their knees." (19:71-72) Narrated from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny), this bridge contains seven Passes (Aqabat). There will be stations in each Pass and each station will be 70 Farsakh (1 Farsakh = 5.5 km) long, and 70,000 Angels will be posted at each Pass. Those who safely pass through all seven Passes will arrive at the Abode of Permanence (Dar al-Baqa), where they will live an everlasting life without any troubles. They will reside in the neighborhood of Allah with the Prophets and the Imams (peace be upon them all), the martyrs and the righteous ones from among His slaves. However, if a person is stopped at a Pass, and neither a good deed of his nor the Mercy of Allah reaches him, he will stumble in his step and be hurled down in the fire of Hell. (E'teqadat al-Imamiyah)