This is a stone that was thrown into Hellfire seventy years ago and it was falling into Hellfire until it reached its bottom
Authenticعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، إِذْ سَمِعَ وَجْبَةً، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «تَدْرُونَ مَا هَذَا؟» قَالَ: قُلْنَا: اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ، قَالَ: «هَذَا حَجَرٌ رُمِيَ بِهِ فِي النَّارِ مُنْذُ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا، فَهُوَ يَهْوِي فِي النَّارِ الْآنَ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى قَعْرِهَا».
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when he heard a bang. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do you know what it is?" We said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "This is a stone that was thrown into Hellfire seventy years ago and it was falling into Hellfire until it reached its bottom."
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) heard a disturbing sound like that of a falling object. He asked the Companions who were with him about that sound, and they said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: This sound that you heard is a stone that was thrown from the edge of Hellfire seventy years ago, and it kept descending and going down into it until it reached its bottom now when you heard the sound.
Benefits
- The Hadīth urges us to get prepared for the Last Day by righteous deeds and warns of Hellfire.
- We are recommended to attribute knowledge to Allah Almighty about the things we have no knowledge about.
- An instructor ought to arouse people's interest and draw their attention before addressing the intended topic. This allows for better understanding.
Source · Narrated by Muslim
From the Hadith Encyclopedia (hadeethenc.com).