Why does Allah create someone whose fate is hell?
The question of why Allah creates individuals whose ultimate fate is Hell is addressed in both the Qur'an and Hadith, which provide insights into the divine wisdom behind this aspect of creation.
In the Qur'an, Allah emphasizes the concept of individual accountability and the consequences of one's actions. For instance, Surah At-Tawba explains that Allah has promised the hypocrites and disbelievers the fire of Hell as their abode, stating: Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them.
9:68 This highlights that those who reject faith and engage in wrongdoing are ultimately choosing their own path, leading to their condemnation.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir elaborates on this by explaining that Allah's creation includes both those who will follow Him and those who will not. Allah's knowledge encompasses all actions and destinies, and He has created individuals with the capacity to choose their paths. This is further supported by a hadith narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud, in which the Prophet ﷺ explains: When asked about the verse {And when your Lord took from the children of Adam from their loins}, Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked about this and he said: Allah created Adam and wiped his back with His right hand and drew from him offspring. Some He created for Paradise, who perform the deeds of the people of Paradise, and others He created for the Fire, who do the deeds of the people of the Fire. A man said: O Messenger of Allah, what is the reason for their deeds? He said: Allah, when He creates a servant destined for Paradise, causes him to act in accordance with the deeds of the people of Paradise until he dies performing among those deeds, so he enters Paradise. And when He creates a servant for the Fire, He causes him to perform the deeds of the people of the Fire until he dies performing among those deeds, so he enters the Fire.
Sunan Abu Dawud 42:108
This narration underscores the belief that Allah's foreknowledge of individuals' choices does not negate their free will; rather, it demonstrates that those destined for Hell are those who persist in their disbelief and sinful actions.
Furthermore, Shia perspectives, as discussed in Al-Kafi, emphasize that Allah created individuals with the potential for both good and evil. Those who choose to embrace faith and righteousness are rewarded, while those who turn away and engage in wrongdoing face the consequences of their actions.
In summary, Allah creates individuals whose fate is Hell as part of a divine plan that includes the exercise of free will, accountability for one's actions, and the fundamental principle that every person is responsible for their choices.
Sources
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9:68 · At-Tawba
9:68 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتِ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ هِىَ حَسْبُهُمْ ۚ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّقِيمٌۭ
Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 9:68
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 9:68
Allah condemns the hypocrites in this verse for being the opposite in character to the true believers, who command what is right and forbid what is wrong. In contrast, these hypocrites command wrongdoing, forbid righteousness, and withhold their hands—meaning they refrain from giving or spending in the way of Allah. They have forgotten Allah, specifically His remembrance and commandments, so Allah consequently causes them to forget, punishing them as those who forget Him. This is like the statement where Allah says, “And it will be said today: ‘We forget you just as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours.’” The hypocrites are therefore described as fasiqun—those who stray from the path of truth and enter into error. Regarding the promise mentioned: Allah has promised the hypocrites, both male and female, as well as the disbelievers, the fire of Hell for their actions described above. They will remain in it eternally, abiding therein without end. Hell is sufficient for them, meaning it is fitting and adequate punishment. Furthermore, Allah has cursed them, meaning He has banished and distanced them, and for them is an everlasting punishment to endure.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 42:108
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 42, Hadith 108 · Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab
When asked about the verse {And when your Lord took from the children of Adam from their loins}, Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked about this and he said: Allah created Adam and wiped his back with His right hand and drew from him offspring. Some He created for Paradise, who perform the deeds of the people of Paradise, and others He created for the Fire, who do the deeds of the people of the Fire. A man said: O Messenger of Allah, what is the reason for their deeds? He said: Allah, when He creates a servant destined for Paradise, causes him to act in accordance with the deeds of the people of Paradise until he dies performing among those deeds, so he enters Paradise. And when He creates a servant for the Fire, He causes him to perform the deeds of the people of the Fire until he dies performing among those deeds, so he enters the Fire.
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