The Existence of the Fire Now and the Evidence for It

Question:
Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: Is the Fire currently existing? What is the wisdom behind its existence? And how do we respond to those who deny its existence?

Answer:
This is a curious question that has no benefit, but the Fire indicates that it exists, and Paradise exists, and what occurs in this world of signs indicates the existence of both. The intense heat is from the opening of Hell, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, and it was given a breath in winter and a breath in summer. This is evidence that the Fire exists. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says, “I have prepared it for the disbelievers.” “I have prepared” means that it exists; it did not say “I have promised” or “I have prepared” in the sense of a future promise, but rather that it exists. And the dead person is punished in his grave, and a door is opened for him to the Fire. These are aspects of knowledge from various angles. I mean, this research has no benefit, but some people do not leave anything alone.