By James Kirk Wall

There are many images of Muhammad in antiquity. The following representations of hell that are associated with Muhammad’s Night Journey in the Quran appear to be written in similar fashion as Dante’s Biblical portrayal called Inferno. Just as Dante’s work, this appears to be mostly made up with little connection to the actual religious literature.

The following are from 15th century Persia and depict Muhammad on a flying horse visiting hell. The pictures of women being tortured are disturbing, and the descriptions as to why they are being punished forever can only be explained by a deep and loathing hatred. Insinuating that Allah would allow endless torture for a woman simply because she showed her hair to a stranger or left home without permission is far more insulting to any Muslim with decency than anything written in satire by Charlie Hebdo. The other depictions are also horrifying.

Muhammad, along with Buraq and Gabriel, visit Hell, and see a demon punishing “shameless women” who had exposed their hair to strangers. For this crime of inciting lust in men, the women are strung up by their hair and burned for eternity.

Next, Muhammad sees women strung up by hooks thrust through their tongues by a green demon. Their crimes were to “mock” their husbands and to leave their homes without permission.

Further on, Muhammad sees a red demon that is torturing women by hanging them up by hooks through their breasts, as they are engulfed in flames. The women are being punished for giving birth to illegitimate children whom they falsely claimed were fathered by their husbands.

There are Christians today that have influences on their perception of hell from Dante. Are there Muslims today that have influences on their perception of a woman’s place in society from a 15th century Persian?

Reference:
Muslims Worldwide - Islamic Depictions of Mohammed in Full