HEAVEN AND HELL.
HEAVEN.
Mohammed declared in the Koran that there are seven heavens. Above all
is the heaven for prophets, martyrs, those who die in battle for
religion's sake, and for angels. Chief among all in this heaven is
Mohammed, mediator between God and believers. The other heavens will be
inhabited by believers, the degree of piety and integrity determining
to which heaven they shall go.
Heaven was pictured as an earthly paradise. There are beautiful
gardens, vineyards, green pastures, fresh fountains, the river of
living water, many bathing pools of glass, a palace of marble and
glass, ornamented with pearls and diamonds. The trees bear fruit
continuously, some in blossom, others ripe with fruit. Prominent are
the palm, and grape, fruits which were favorites of Mohammed while on
earth. Choice fruits grow in abundance and on low trees so that a man
can stand on the ground and eat of the fruit. Each vine bears 7,000
clusters of grapes, and every grape contains 7,000 gallons of juice.
The pastures are eternally green, and in them grow many thousand
varieties of flowers of exquisite odors. There are no animals in heaven
as they are not needed. There will be no dogs, cats, swine, nor unclean
birds, as eagles, hawks, and buzzards. But there are millions of
brilliantly plumaged birds whose melodies continually ring through
heaven. The walls and gates of heaven are as described in the 22nd
chapter of Revelation.
Believers will spend eternity in the joys of luxurious life in
paradise, amidst blooming gardens and beautiful virgins. To an ordinary
believer will be given 72 houries or female angels. These creatures are
described in the Koran as being fair, with rosy cheeks, black eyes, and
in blooming youth. Such beauty the eyes of men have not seen on earth.
Martyrs and more pious men have more than 72 houries, the number
increasing in proportion to the believer's prominence. The believer
will sit under a fragrant tree in a golden chair, or lie on a golden
cot, while birds overhead sing wonderfully sweet. His fairies will be
about him and offer him choice unfermented wine in a golden cup on an
emerald tray. Such is the Moslem's heaven.
These were the promises with which Mohammed aroused the enthusiasm of
his followers. Fanatical zeal has been so enkindled in men that many
thousands have perished in an effort to spread these doctrines
throughout the world.
Saints will live nearer to Allah than ordinary believers and will have
conversation with him. No people can enter heaven unless they be
Moslems. The gate to heaven is reached by a bridge. This bridge is as
narrow as a hair, and only believers can walk it. When a soul
approaches the gate it finds Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed, standing
there. She asks him to recite the creed: "Allah is the only God, and
Mohammed is his prophet." If repeated, the soul enters heaven; if not,
with a breath Fatima blows him off the bridge and he falls into hell,
the regions below.
HELL.
As there are seven heavens according to degree of integrity of
believers even so there are seven hells. Gehenna is beneath the lowest
part of the earth and the seas of darkness. It is a place of fire, as a
great ocean without limits. It burns with brimstone and like materials.
There are thousands of terrible flames and bad smells. Satan is there
with all infidels, Christians, Jews, fire-worshipers and apostate
Mohammedans. The torture of the latter will be worse than the torture
of others. There are in hell thousands of wild animals, as lions,
tigers, vipers and serpents. Every lion has in his mouth 7,000 teeth,
and every tooth has 7,000 different stings or poisons. So with the
tiger and serpents. Every viper has 7,000 tails and on every tail 7,000
stingers, and every stinger contains 7,000 kinds of poison. The common
drink of the inmates of hell is poison drunk from iron cups. Their
meals will be the flesh of animals and even their own flesh. Satan and
his servants will torture them with spears and swords of iron. There
will be no rest for them day or night. Men and women will gnash their
teeth against their own children. All will be weeping, cursing and
blaspheming. Hell is surrounded by walls of iron over which none can
escape.