What are the seven levels of hell?
The Quran says Hell has seven gates, and scholars commonly list seven names for it: Jahannam, Laza, Hutama, Sa'ir, Saqar, Jahim and Hawiyah. The Quran uses all these names, but no authentic hadith assigns them to specific levels or says who goes where, so the order is scholarly opinion, not a clear text.
Seven gates
The Quran speaks about Hell and its seven gates:
The verse says Hell has seven gates and that groups are assigned to each. It also describes depths within it, noting that the hypocrites will be in the "lowest depths of the Fire" (Quran 4:145). Many scholars therefore speak of seven levels, which is the familiar way of describing them.
The seven names and what the Quran says
- Jahannam: the general name of Hell, used throughout the Quran, for example "Hell is their destined place, all together" (Quran 15:43).
- Laza: a "raging Flame ripping off scalps" (Quran 70:15-16).
- Hutama: "the Crusher," Allah's kindled Fire (Quran 104:4-6).
- Sa'ir: the Blaze, prepared for the devils (Quran 67:5).
- Saqar: a name of Hell, as in "Taste the touch of Hell" (Quran 54:48).
- Jahim: the path to Hell (Quran 37:23).
- Hawiyah: "the abyss" and a scorching Fire (Quran 101:9-11).
Some scholars treat these as seven levels, while others treat them as different names or descriptions of the same Fire. The Quran never says "the first level is X."
Who goes to which level?
Some classical books assign particular groups of people to each level, but those lists rest on weak reports and should not be relied on. Only Allah knows who deserves what, and He is perfectly just. The Quran only tells us that punishment varies and that hypocrisy is among the gravest wrongs. For what Hell is like, see What is hell like in Islam?
How should this affect us?
These descriptions are warnings, but Islam is balanced with mercy. Sins can be forgiven through repentance, and Allah may forgive whom He wills. See Do Muslims go to hell for their sins? and Is hell eternal in Islam?
- The Quran says Hell has seven gates (Quran 15:44).
- Scholars list seven names: Jahannam, Laza, Hutama, Sa'ir, Saqar, Jahim and Hawiyah.
- The order and the groups assigned to each level are not established by authentic texts.
- Repentance and Allah's mercy remain the focus.
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