According to Islam, this worldly life in which we are living is not eternal. Being a Muslim it is our belief that this life is temporary as in Holy Quran Allah Almighty says that man is placed here only temporarily. So we should remember that the eternal life will be in hereafter which will be forever. A life which is eternal is far more important than this present existence. Allah Almighty created human beings and made them responsible for their actions by granting them freedom. But this freedom should utilize in doing good deeds. These good deeds will help in the hereafter.

Belief in the hereafter is one of the six pillars of Islamic belief which is required for a Muslim to complete his faith. Being Muslims, it is part of our faith to believe in the Fire of Hell. The residence that Allah has created as a means of severe punishment for the wrongdoers of Earth, aside from those who were forgiven and admitted into His enormous mercy. Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran: “…Fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran, 2:24)

In another verse of Holy Quran Allah Almighty says: “…Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as lodging” (Quran, 18:102). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) always warned people to save themselves from the Hellfire. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mentioned certain deeds that would assist the motivators to distance themselves from the hellfire. Below we have mentioned certain deeds that every Muslim can undertake to save him/her from the hellfire.

1. Believing in Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW): Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever witnesses that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, Allah forbids the Fire from touching him.” So we should believe in Allah and His Messenger.
2. Being Kind to Others: Abdullah Ibn Masood narrated that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Shall I not inform you of whom the Fire is unlawful and he is unlawful for the Fire? Every person who is near (to people), friendly, and easy (to deal with).” If someone wants to protect him/ her from hellfire then they should be kind and merciful to others.
3. Praying Regularly: Abu Hurairah narrated that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The Fire will consume the entire son of Adam except for the mark of prostration. Allah has forbidden the Fire to consume the mark of prostration.” We should pray regularly on time if we want to protect ourselves from hellfire.
4. Crying in front of Allah: One who cries in front of Allah due to fear will save him/her from the hellfire. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Fire until the milk returns back in the udder (i.e. never)”
5. Fasting Voluntarily: Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “No servant will fast a day in the cause of Allah, except that Allah distances his face from the Fire (a distance of) seventy years”.
6. Giving Charity: The one who participates in giving charity will save him from the hellfire. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date.”
7. Seeking Protection from the Hellfire: Anas Bin Malik narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever seeks refuge from the Fire three times, the Fire says: ‘O Allah, save him from the Fire.”

These above-mentioned points indicated how one can save himself or herself from the hellfire. Hell is indeed eternal it is our belief. We do great sins just for the pleasure of this World but forget about the permanent thing that starts after our death which is the hereafter that will not be going to an end will remain forever. May Allah give us the strength to follow the right path in this worldly life so that we can be successful in the hereafter! Ameen