Discover the stories of three wives mentioned in the Quran who were destined for Hell. Learn their fates and the lessons their stories hold for Muslims today.
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The Quran contains many stories about women, some of whom serve as great role models, while others are cautionary tales. Among them, three women are explicitly mentioned as being condemned to Hell due to their rejection of Allah’s commands.
Who Were the Three Wives Condemned to Hell?
According to the book Ulumul Qur'an: A Study of Women's Stories in the Quran by Muhammad Roihan Nasution, the following three women are categorized as dwellers of Hell:
1. The Wife of Prophet Noah (Nuh)
Despite being the wife of a great prophet, she refused to believe in his message. She betrayed Noah by spreading lies and opposing his teachings, ultimately perishing in the great flood.
ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا امْرَأَتَ نُوحٍ وَامْرَأَتَ لُوطٍ ۖ كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَقِيلَ ادْخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدَّاخِلِينَ
“Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot… 'Enter the Fire along with those who enter!'" (Surah At-Tahrim: 10)
Her name is not mentioned in the Quran, but some sources refer to her as Walihah or Wahilah.
2. The Wife of Prophet Lot (Lut)
Like Noah’s wife, the wife of Prophet Lot also rejected her husband’s message. She sympathized with the sinful people of Sodom, and when divine punishment struck, she was among those destroyed.
قَالُوا۟ يَٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ
“[The angels] said: 'O Lot! We are messengers of your Lord… Do not let any of you look back except for your wife; indeed, she will be struck by the same punishment as them.'" (Surah Hud: 81)
She is often referred to as Walighah in historical accounts.
3. The Wife of Abu Lahab
The wife of Abu Lahab, known as Arwa bint Harb or Umm Jamil, was one of the fiercest enemies of Prophet Muhammad. She actively spread lies and tried to harm the Prophet by placing thorns in his path.
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ * مَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ * سَيَصْلَى نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ * وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ * فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِنْ مَسَدٍ
“May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and may he perish! His wealth will not avail him, nor will what he gained… And his wife, the carrier of firewood (spreading gossip), will have a rope of palm fiber around her neck.” (Surah Al-Lahab: 1-5)
Both Abu Lahab and his wife were cursed directly in the Quran, marking them as among the most condemned figures.
Lessons from Their Stories
Their stories serve as a crucial lesson: faith and obedience to Allah matter more than family ties. Despite being married to righteous men, their disbelief led them to eternal punishment.
Conclusion
The fates of these three women serve as a stark warning to always uphold faith and righteousness. May we all be protected from the actions and attitudes that lead to Hell.
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