Paradise & Hell

الْجَنَّة

Garden, covered or hidden place

Al-Baqara 2:25 and numerous verses

The general name encompassing all names of Paradise. The root means 'to be covered or hidden.' The most frequently occurring name.

الْفِرْدَوْس

The highest and most central garden of Paradise

Al-Kahf 18:107, Al-Mu'minun 23:11

Derived from Persian 'Pardis' — the English word 'paradise' also comes from here. According to narrations, the rivers of Paradise spring from Al-Firdaws.

جَنَّةُ عَدْنٍ

The garden of perpetual residence, abode of eternity

At-Tawba 9:72, Ar-Ra'd 13:23, Al-Bayyina 98:8

'Adn' means to reside or settle. The plural usage 'Gardens of 'Adn' suggests that Paradise contains multiple levels within itself.

جَنَّةُ النَّعِيمِ

The garden of bliss and bounty

Al-Ma'ida 5:65, Yunus 10:9, Al-Hajj 22:56

'Na'im' means bliss, ease, and bounty. It also appears in plural form in the Quran: 'Gardens of Bliss.'

جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَى

The garden of refuge and shelter

As-Sajda 32:19, An-Najm 53:15

Located near the Sidrat al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). There are narrations that it is the abode of martyrs.

دَارُ السَّلَامِ

The abode of peace

Al-An'am 6:127, Yunus 10:25

Referenced as the place to which Allah directly 'calls.' This specific expression of divine invitation appears only with this name.

دَارُ الْخُلْدِ

The abode of eternity / The permanent dwelling

Al-Furqan 25:15, Fatir 35:35

In Fatir 35:35, the people of Paradise themselves use this name: 'He has settled us in the Abode of Permanence.' The only name for Paradise coined by its inhabitants in the Quran.

الْمَقَامُ الْأَمِينُ

The secure, trustworthy station

Ad-Dukhan 44:51

Described as the place of the righteous (muttaqin), this name appears in only one verse.

عِلِّيُّونَ

The highest, most exalted place

Al-Mutaffifin 83:18-21

Mentioned in the Quran, but there is scholarly debate on whether it refers to a place in Paradise or the record book of the righteous.

جَهَنَّمُ

Deep pit, bottomless abyss

In many verses

The general name encompassing all seven names. Its root is not Arabic — there is etymological debate about its derivation from the Hebrew/Aramaic 'Gehinnom.'

الْجَحِيمُ

Intensely blazing fire with layered, extreme heat

As-Saffat 37:23, 37:55, 37:64

In As-Saffat 37:64 it is stated that the zaqqum tree 'grows from the bottom of Al-Jahim.' Jahim and zaqqum are directly linked in this verse.

الْهَاوِيَةُ

Abyss, deep pit

Al-Qari'a 101:9-11

Surah Al-Qari'a defines this name itself: 'And what will make you know what the Hawiya is? It is a blazing fire.' One of two self-defining names for Hell in the Quran.

الْحُطَمَةُ

The Crusher, the shattering fire

Al-Humaza 104:4-7

Described as 'the fire of Allah, kindled to the very hearts.' The only description of Hell that implies both a physical and psychological dimension.

لَظَى

Pure, blazing flame

Al-Ma'arij 70:15-16

Described as 'plucking away the extremities.' One of the most specific physical punishment descriptions in the Quran.

السَّعِيرُ

Blazing, ignited fire

An-Nisa 4:55, Al-Mulk 67:5, As-Saffat 37:97

The second most frequently occurring name for Hell. Used in various contexts referring to different wrongdoers.

سَقَرُ

Scorching, intensely burning fire

Al-Muddathir 74:26-30, Al-Qamar 54:48

The first name used for Hell in the chronology of revelation. Self-defining: 'It leaves nothing and spares none, scorching the skin. Over it are nineteen.' One of the Quran's most dramatic depictions of Hell.