When Allah Almighty created Paradise and Hell, He sent Sayyidunā Jibra’il عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to Paradise and commanded: “Behold Paradise and the bounties I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.”

Sayyidunā Jibrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام visited Paradise, having seen the Paradise and the blessings prepared by Allah the Almighty for its inhabitants, he presented himself in His presence, submitting: “By Your Might and Majesty! Whosoever hears of this Paradise will certainly strive to enter it.” Thereupon, by the command of Allah, Paradise was veiled with hardships and tribulations. Allah then commanded Sayyidunā Jibrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام: “Go once more and behold Paradise and the bounties I have prepared for its inhabitants.” Sayyidunā Jibra’il عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام returned and saw that it was now veiled with hardships and tribulations. He submitted: “O Allah! By Your Might and Majesty! I fear that now, no one will be able to enter it.”

Then Allah Almighty commanded: “Go now to Hell and behold it and the punishments I have prepared for its inhabitants.” Sayyidunā Jibra’il عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام observed that one part of [the fire of] Hell is mounting over another. He submitted: “O Allah! By Your Might and Majesty! No one who hears of the [severity of] Hell would ever enter it [meaning they would strive to avoid it].” Then, by the command of Allah, Hell was veiled with sensual desires and pleasures. Allah then commanded Sayyidunā Jibrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to go once more. He went, and upon his return, he submitted: “O Allah! By Your Might and Majesty! I fear that now, no one will be able to escape it; rather, they will fall into it [due to being engrossed in carnal desires).”^[1]