The Bridge of Sirat and Hellfire: The Horror Before Falling

Surah Al-Kahfi 18:100 presents a terrifying depiction of what will happen after the second trumpet is blown. At that moment, Hellfire (Jahannam) will be displayed clearly to the disbelievers. They will not only see it from afar but will experience its horrors before ultimately being thrown into it.

To understand this verse more deeply, we need to examine how it relates to the two preceding verses, 18:98 and 18:99, which discuss the collapse of Dhul-Qarnayn's barrier, the emergence of Gog and Magog (Ya’juj and Ma’juj), and the blowing of the trumpet marking the beginning of the Day of Judgment.

Surah Al-Kahfi 18:100

Verse Text and Translation

وَّعَرَضْنَا جَهَـنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّـلْكٰفِرِيْنَ عَرْضًا

"And We will present Hellfire on that Day to the disbelievers, fully exposed."
(Surah Al-Kahfi, 18:100)

Let’s analyze this verse in detail:

1. Wa ‘aradnā (وَّعَرَضْنَا) — "And We will present"

• Allah SWT, with His absolute power, will display Hellfire directly to the disbelievers.
• This is not just a vision or illusion; they will see Hell right in front of them before they are thrown into it.

2. Jahannam (جَهَـنَّمَ) — "Hellfire"

• Jahannam is the most horrific place of torment for those who disbelieve in Allah SWT.
• According to Sahih Muslim, Hellfire will be brought to the Plain of Judgment, led by 70,000 chains, and each chain will be pulled by 70,000 angels.
  📌 Reference: Sahih Muslim, No. 2842
• This signifies that Hellfire will be brought near and displayed in its full horror.

3. Yauma’idzin (يَوْمَئِذٍ) — "On that Day"

• Refers to the Day of Judgment, after the second trumpet is blown.
• This event occurs at Sirat (the Bridge over Hellfire), as Hell is beneath Sirat according to hadith.

4. Lil-Kāfirīn (لِّـلْكٰفِرِيْنَ) — "To the disbelievers"

• Who are these disbelievers?
• Their characteristics are explained in the next verse (18:101).

5. Ardan (عَرْضًا) — "Fully exposed"

• Hellfire is not shown from afar; it is right in front of them.
• The severity of this moment can be understood through authentic hadith.

The Horror of Sirat and Hellfire

Below are authentic hadiths describing the horror of Sirat and Hellfire:

📌 Sahih Bukhari No. 7439
📌 Sahih Muslim No. 183b
📌 Sahih Muslim No. 195

🔹 Sirat is a bridge spanning over Hellfire.
🔹 Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be the first to cross, along with other prophets and their followers.
🔹 The journey across Sirat is so terrifying that even the prophets will pray for safety.
🔹 Crossing the bridge is extremely difficult, and many will fall.
🔹 Some will be cut to pieces, but then brought back to try again.
🔹 The speed of crossing depends on one’s deeds in this world.
🔹 Some will cross as fast as lightning, wind, or birds, while others will crawl in agony.
🔹 Those with bad deeds will be seized by hooks and dragged into Hellfire.

The Connection Between the Hadiths and Surah Al-Kahfi 18:100

📌 وَّعَرَضْنَا جَهَـنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّـلْكٰفِرِيْنَ عَرْضًا

"And We will present Hellfire on that Day to the disbelievers, fully exposed."

Connection to the hadiths:
1️⃣ Hellfire will be visibly displayed to the disbelievers on Sirat.
2️⃣ They will be terrified, trying to escape it, before falling into it.
3️⃣ The speed of crossing Sirat depends on one’s deeds in this world.
4️⃣ Believers will cross safely, while disbelievers will be seized and thrown into Hellfire.

The Connection Between Surah Al-Kahfi 18:100 and 18:98

📌 Surah Al-Kahfi 18:98

"Dhul-Qarnayn said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes, He will make it level, and the promise of my Lord is ever true.'"
(QS. Al-Kahf 18:98)

1️⃣ The promise of Allah: Dhul-Qarnayn's barrier will collapse when the time comes.
2️⃣ Not just the collapse of the barrier, but also the destruction of the disbelievers.
3️⃣ Ayat 18:100 continues this prophecy, showing that the disbelievers will ultimately be shown Hellfire.
4️⃣ The disbelievers in Ayat 18:100 are those who rejected Dhul-Qarnayn’s warning in Ayat 18:98.

The Connection Between Surah Al-Kahfi 18:100 and 18:99

📌 Surah Al-Kahfi 18:99

"And We will leave them (Gog and Magog) that day surging over one another, and when the trumpet is blown, We will gather them all together."
(QS. Al-Kahf 18:99)

1️⃣ Gog and Magog (Ya’juj and Ma’juj) will emerge and mix with humanity.
2️⃣ They are not just a physical threat, but also a test of faith for humanity.
3️⃣ After they overwhelm the world, the first trumpet will be blown, and all will die.
4️⃣ Ayat 18:100 describes what happens after the second trumpet, where those who allied with Gog and Magog will now face Hellfire.
5️⃣ The disbelievers in Ayat 18:100 are not just any disbelievers but those who rejected Allah’s warnings and mixed with Gog and Magog.
6️⃣ They now see Hellfire because this is the punishment for rejecting divine guidance.

Conclusion

Those who once turned away from the truth, refused to believe, and even mixed with Gog and Magog, can no longer escape Allah’s judgment.

📌 Their eyes will witness Hellfire in its full horror.
📌 Their bodies will feel unbearable torment.
📌 Their hearts will be filled with regret, but it will be too late.

This is the warning and the promise of Allah, decreed long ago for those who reject His guidance.

🚨 Are we truly prepared for that day? 🚨