SIRAT (BRIDGE)

There will be a bridge called Sirat, which will be built over Hell upon Allahu ta’ala’s command. Everybody will be ordered to cross that bridge. That day, all prophets will entreat as, “O Allah! Give safety!” Those who are to go to Paradise will cross the bridge easily and reach Paradise. Some of them will pass with the speed of lightning, some with that of wind, and some others like a galloping horse. The Sirat Bridge will be thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword. Adapting yourself to Islam in this world has a similar aspect; adapting yourself precisely to Islam is like crossing the Sirat. Those who withstand the difficulty of struggling with their sensual desires (the nafs) here will cross the Sirat easily there. Those who do not follow Islam because of the nafs will cross the Sirat with difficulty. For this reason, Allahu ta’ala called the right path, pointed out by Islam, the “Sirat al-Mustaqim.” This similarity in names shows that staying within Islam’s path is like crossing the Sirat. Those who deserve Hell will fall off the Sirat down into Hell.