One of the more significant differences between the Bible and the Qur'an is
the emphasis placed on Hell. The Bible’s New Testament only mentions Hell
fourteen times. None of the references contain a great deal of specifics. Even
though the Qur'an is a shorter text than the New Testament, Hell is mentioned
ninety-five times (repetitious verses are not covered in this collection of
forty-seven verses). Mohammed often used references to Hell as a threat to those
who would reject the Qur'an.
The Bible associates Hell with Gehenna, which was the garbage dump outside of
Jerusalem where the trash constantly burned. It generally described it as a
place of outer darkness, weeping and fire. The Bible proclaims that Hell is the
inevitable end of people unless God rescues them. God loved the world so much
that he came in Christ Jesus to suffer death and Hell as a substitute for all
those who would accept his forgiveness and eternal life. One person rescued was
the thief who was crucified next to Jesus. He simply defended the Lord against
the mocking of the other criminal and asked to be remembered when Jesus came
into his kingdom. The Lord Jesus promised him that they would be together in
Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).
The Qur'an repeats the Biblical principle of a fiery Hell, but goes further
to describe very physical aspects of torture. The specific details include
beatings by angels and marching in chains. It gets so detailed that it
contradicts itself at times. For example, it says that the only food in Hell
will be “dari” or a bitter plant. Then the Qur'an states that the only food
would be filth, and later it states that their food will be the fruit from the
Zaqqum tree. Another conflicting portrayal has to do with chains. The lost will
either march pulling a heavy load, be dragged through boiling water and fire, or
linked together with others in a pit.
One of the main objections that Muslims have with the Bible is the free gift
of forgiveness offered by God (Ephesians 2:8-10). The Bible reveals that the
cross of Christ and the victory of his resurrection defeated the powers of Hell
for those who believe, which gives them the motivation and ability to live for
God. Muslims insist that the threat of Hell must always be in front of everyone,
even Muslims, so that they will live good lives.