Jahannam

In Islam, Jahannam is the place of punishment for unbelievers and other evildoers in the afterlife, or hell. This notion is an "integral part of Islamic theology", and has "occupied an important place in the Muslim belief". It is often called by the proper name Jahannam. Simultaneously, jahannam is a term specifically for the uppermost layer of hell. The importance of Hell in Islamic doctrine is that it is an essential element of the Day of Judgment, which is one of the six articles of faith (belief in God, angels, books, prophets, the Day of Resurrection and providence) "by which the Muslim faith is traditionally defined." Punishment and suffering in Hell, in mainstream Islam, is physical, psychological and spiritual, and varies according to the sins of the condemned person. Its excruciating pain and horror described in the Qu'ran often parallels the pleasure and delights of paradise (Jannah). It is commonly believed by Muslims that confinement to hell is temporary for Muslims but not for others, and Muslim scholars disagree over whether Hell itself will last for eternity (the major view), or whether God's mercy will lead to it eventually being eliminated. The common belief among Muslims holds that Jahannam coexists with the temporal world, just as Jannah (the Islamic paradise), does, (rather than being created after Judgment Day). Hell is described physically in different ways by different sources of Islamic literature. It is enormous in size, and located below Paradise. It has seven levels (each one more severe than the one above it), (the Quran specifically refers to "seven gates"); but it is also said to be a huge pit over which the bridge of As-Sirāt crosses and the resurrected walk; to have mountains, rivers, valleys and "even oceans" filled with disgusting fluids; and also to be able to walk (controlled by reins), and ask questions, much like a sentient being. In the Old Testament, "hinnom" or Gei-ben-Hinnom, the Valley of the Son of Hinnom is an accursed Valley in Jerusalem where allegedly child sacrifices had taken place.