Exit

As we emerge from Jahannam, we look around us to see we are back by the Forbidden Forest. However, we are much closer to the edge of the woody area. Walking to the boundary, we see Muhammad’s hut. We invite Michael inside, telling him that Muhammad is our good friend who has helped us with all of our studies here at school. Pleased, Michael agrees, following behind us as we make our way to the house. When we go inside, we look back to Michael to show him around the house, but he isn’t there! Startled, we notice a mirror in the corner of the entry room. Intrigued, we make our way towards the glass. Once we approach it, Michael face appears in the reflection and starts to sing a tune. I’m sure you can guess it.

“I’m gonna make a change. I'm gonna make a change,for once in my life. It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right...”

Understanding the message, the three of us pledge (not swear, that would be committing the sin to go to level 5) to make a change in ourselves and in the world. We would live by the rules of Islam and make our way to Jannah, Islamic heaven.

Works Cited
http://www.themodernreligion.com/misc/hh/major_sins.htm

Circle Nine

When we came into the ninth circle we saw a pool of molten lava. In the lava, crates full of screaming people were being submerged into the magma. Each crate was full of sinners who have denied Allah. Demons were maniacally laughing as they continuously dunked these spirits into the lava. We asked Michael why this level was the worst. His answer was this.

“These souls have committed the worst crime, denying Allah. They knew the truth about his word and doctrine, yet denied to others and themselves. For this, must pay.”

 The three of us thought back to a class of ours at Islawarts. We had read the book Dante’s Inferno which also specified that the worst sin was to disobey or deny your master. Making the connection, we were satisfied with our guide’s answer. To exit Jahannam, our guide told us that we have to click our heels together nine times, for the nine levels of hell and say,

“There’s no religion like Islam.”

Circle Eight

When we walked into the next circle sounds of evil chuckles and smells arose of fire and brimstone. As we gazed upon the plane it looked as if it were the stereotypical hell. With fire and demons holding pitchforks. Distant screams could be heard through the entire circle. Michael told us,

“That this was for those who didn’t obey the requests of the five pillars of Islam. The able bodies that didn't do what was requested by Allah go here to this level to be punished forever.”

Horrified, we exited this awful level to see the last circle of Jahannam, circle nine.

Circle Seven

As we advanced into the wooded area, we noticed that the trees abiding in this area were tall and evil. Tall in the aspect that when you gazed upward, you couldn’t even see the tops of them because they seemed to ascend into the heavens above. Evil in the sort of aspect that they were hiding something, or someone. As we round the corner along the path, a picture greets us which causes all of us to start. People, or spirits rather, are hanging from the trees by fingers and toes. Their fingers and toes are attached to the trees by strings which seem to ascend into heaven, following the trees. The spirits have a look of dread on their face, as they hang there hopeless, disconsolate, distressed, and despairing. Aghast, Tori inquires of our guide why these souls are here. Michael responds, 

“These people have committed the sin of not praying, or thinking they were too good for praying to Allah. They are now condemned to be attached to the heavens like they never were in life.” 

Stepping clear of these hanging souls, we made our way around the trees to visit the eighth circle of Jahannam.

Circle Six

Coming down the hole, we roughly landed into circle six on stones. Michael explained to us that this was only the first ditch of circle six which contains the people who have committed some kind of physical violence. Tori became startled as we started to feel the stones move underneath us. 

“Don’t worry, under the stones are where the sinners reside”, said Michael. “Their sin is abusing Muslims and their punishment is to be trapped under these heavy stones eternally!” 

For some reason this bothered all of us, so we quickly made our way to the next ditch. As we walked through the second ditch of circle six we could all feel the heat radiating from a few feet ahead. It hit us about the same time we noticed the loud moaning and clashing of chains that was also ahead of us. These were both coming from a large wall about 30 feet from where we were standing. As we came closer, Sarah asked, 

“What have these poor souls done to be chained to these walls as such?” “These sinners were put here for committing suicide”, Michael answered. “They are chained to these walls and can never leave. They escaped from earth by killing themselves, so now they can never escape this pain.”

Their cries saddened us, so we didn’t stay very long. Then we were on our course again to the last ditch of circle six. Michael warned us that these sinners did not commit suicide or abuse Muslims, but were in here for murder. He explained that no matter what we saw we were to feel no pity for them. As we strolled in the revolting smell hit us with a sickening change to our faces. We came across a deep red lake full of boiling blood. The sinners screamed as their flesh burned from the lake and were torn by the vicious bites of the piranhas. We wanted to flee from this disgusting sight so Michael led us to a bridge just in time. We all crossed over the bridge and into to the dim and shady forest where circle seven resided.

Circle Five

As we walked into the next circle the smell hit us hard and fast. It smelt like we just walked into a landfill. When we wandered further into the space we could see why. The entire circle was covered and littered with garbage and trash. There were naked people scattered throughout the trash. Sarah asked Michael what these people were doing and he responded.

“These are the ones that had nothing to say but trash so trash is all they can take in now.”

 As we looked closer the people were eating the trash like worms. They were slowly wiggling and squirming through the piles of debris. Sarah tried her best not to vomit but she couldn't hold it in and upchucked all over the garbage. We all were extremely disturbed by the immense vulgarity of the situation. We told Michael we wanted to leave this level quickly. We walked hastely to the other side. A giant hole had a sign which said, "Circle Six Here". We all took a deep breath and jumped, followed by Michael.

Circle Four

Walking through the door, we all cringed in disgust. The repugnant spirits which we saw looked exactly like the one at the door, without any hands, eyes, or tongues. They all were wandering aimlessly around, with a lost look of hopelessness on their faces. Stepping carefully around them, we watched them with pity and sympathy. Our guide, seeing our melancholy faces said,

“These grieving souls have committed the sin of lust. They have been adulterous, lustful, committed fornifications, or done sensual wrongs. Without eyes, they now cannot see anyone. Without hands, they cannot touch anyone. Without tongues, they cannot flatter anyone anymore.”

 Without further ado, he started singing!

“You know you’re bad, you’re bad, you’re really, really bad”

 Feeling a little better because of the ironic situation, we started to sing along. As the song ended, we were all smiling. Thank goodness for Michael Jackson. He really was destined to be the perfect guide for us because he knew just how to lift our mood. Walking on, we found the next circle more abhorrent than the others.

Circle Three

As we crossed the bridge, birds flew all around us. Looking onward, we saw people, or spirits rather, running amuck in a field of pebbles. The birds, huge, black, and ominous, swarmed around the people, pecking at their torsos. One spirit cried out as his bowels fell from his core. Disgusted, Tori swoons and narrowly misses her head on a rock. Picking her up in his arms, Michael says,

“These spirits have stolen items in their lives, whether it be money, materialistic provisions, or spoils of war. They are now condemned to be chased by blackbirds who steal their intestines.”

Fastidiously, we turn and swear to ourselves that we will never steal again. Walking onward, we come to a door. Intrigued, Jamie tries the doorknob and finds it locked. She knocks and awaits an answer. After we have almost lost hope, we hear it creaking open. A spirit with no hands, eyes, or tongue peers out. Shocked, Jamie and Sarah jump backward, knocking Tori out of Michael’s arms and onto the rocky floor. Tori awakes with a start, and screams when she sees the ghastly spirit. Staring at us with empty sockets, the spirit leaves the door open and returns to its domain. Shaken, we all enter in through the door to discover the next circle.

Circle Two

After we came through a small channel the three of us arose after Michael to see the second circle through our journey through Jahannam.  We saw numerous individuals slowly wandering through the dimly lit hollow. The wanderers were all wearing crowns, but not made of silver or gold. These crowns made of lead, forcing their whole head and neck to come down and hunch over. Jamie asked our guide,

“Who are these people and what have they done to deserve this?”

Our guide looked at all the drifters as they patrolled slowly around us.

“These souls will forever roam through this place with their head down, for in their lives they had always had their head up. Their pride has brought them here, rightfully punishing them for the wrong they have committed.”

As we continued roaming through the circle we saw a grizzly man slowly try to lift up his head. We immediately knew whose face it was. The mayor from where we lived had taken had praised himself for most of his life. One day he become so prideful that he treated all of the people in our town like his own slaves, until someone accidentally hit him with their car.

“This must be where he came after death,”

 Tori said. When we walked past him he called to us asking us to help but he must forever suffer for what he did. We passed by all of them and came across a bridge.

Circle One

When we emerged from the dark passageway, our eyes became accustomed to the darkness as we made out four sections in a large arena. Walking over to the first section, we gasped in disgust. The spirits here had no ears, and looked as though they were deeply confused and agitated. Michael explained,

“These spirits have committed the crime of listening to people’s private conversations. They now have no ears, and constantly hear a murmuring but cannot understand.”

 Horrified, we numbly walked to the second section. Here, there was a huge vat of urine. We watched in disgust as spirits flailed among this putrescent bowl of liquid, frantically trying to escape the eternal hell. Our guide once again explained this desperate situation,

“The sin done these souls have committed is not very severe, but still punishable. They have not protected themselves from urine. I’m sure you understand the irony.”

 Continuing to the third section, we see no people. Perplexed, we raise our eyebrows questioningly to our guide. Seeing our reaction, he motions to the section and gives us a glance, seeming to say, “look closer”. Peering into the shady section, we make out figures, accompanied by the sound of wings, fluttering madly. They were statues! These spirits were frozen in time in grotesque figures, splattered by the constant barrage of pigeon poop.

“These sculptures have made statues and pictures in their mortal life. Henceforth, they are condemned to suffer being a statue and pooped on by birds. Alright, moving on,”

 our guide said. We did as Michael said and quickly turned to see section four. Horrified, all of us quickly covered our eyes from the gruesome sight we saw. The image was this: demon orphans (or what we assumed to be, there was no parental guidance) prancing about, chasing spirits and then biting and tearing them when caught. Our guide pronounced,

“These spirits have wrongfully consumed the property of an orphan some time in their existence. They are now torn about by orphans. This level, level one, is for those who commit misdemeanors in life. They are not serious, but wrong all the same. Are you ready for level two?”

 Processing this information, the three of us nod our heads slowly, wondering just what we got into.

Entrance into Jahannam

As soon as we realized Michael Jackson was a direct revelation from Allah, we followed him through the woods. Although it was extremely scary and ominous, we all made it out alive. As soon as we stepped out of the cover of the trees, a hyena jumped in front of us, taunting and laughing at us. Humiliated, Tori’s chin started quivering, a sure sign that tears were to follow. Michael, seeing Tori’s saddened expression, quickly said,

“Oh, don’t worry, this creature just represents disorderly conduct, the first of the three sections of Jahannam. Please, ignore him. He sometimes can be rude.”

At this remark, the hyena scampered away and Tori’s chin thankfully stopped it’s quivering. Continuing onward, we were met with a horde of mosquitoes. They attacked relentlessly, diving in toward the soft skin to extract the red juice of life underneath. After enduring about ten minutes of this nonsense, Michael cries out,

“These devilish creatures represent the second of the three sections of Jahannam, violence. Begone!”

The mosquitoes, hearing these words, fled. Without the constant whining in our ears, our guide explained.

“I’m sorry, I was supposed to wait for one of you to ask about these insects, but I just couldn’t take it any longer.”

All of us nodded our consent and agreement, and then continued on. Not five minutes after our strange encounter with the mosquitoes, we see a line of green directly in front of us. As we approach it, we are surprised to see it is made up of millions of praying mantises. The barricade went to the right and left as far as one could see and approximately thirteen feet forward. Not knowing how to get past this obstacle, we consulted our all-knowing guide.

“Oh esteemed Michael, sir, how in Allah’s name are we supposed to get past these gosh darn mantises!?”

 Smiling at us with the wisdom of a parent in his eyes, Michael explains,

“These praying mantises represent the final section of Jahannam, disobeying Allah.”

 At these words, the sea of mantises parted, allowing us to continue on our way. Soon we came upon a desert. We had only been walking for about an hour, so the three of us thought it strange to come upon this dry land so soon. However, none of us wanted to question our magnificent guide or Allah, so we kept silent. A few hundred feet more, we rounded a corner to see an eerie looking cave. Scared, Tori’s chin began to quiver once again. Jamie comforted her as Michael beckoned us to enter into the cave after him. Slowly stepping after him, we entered a world of darkness.

Meeting Our Guide

We (Sarah, Jamie, and Tori) were wandering in the Forbidden Forest when we heard a noise. As we stopped to strain our ears to listen to the faint noise, we were shocked when it was a familiar sound! It started as a beat, then a rhythm, and grew into a tune.

“You and I must make a pact…”

 It was Michael Jackson! Sarah tore away from us and started running toward the sound. We scrambled after her as the song continued…

“We must bring salvation back,"

We heard a cry of exclamation from Sarah. She had found him. Dodging through the underbrush, we followed the sounds of hyperventilation to find Michael Jackson singing to Sarah as she stared up at him with rapture and bliss. We listened as he sang

"Where there is love, I’ll be there."

As Michael Jackson finished his last note, we can’t help but to applaud. When we were finished basking in his eternal glory, we inquired about his presence in the forest. He told us he had a direct message from Allah to come and save us from damnation. Just as he told us this message, a bolt of lightning crackled through the sky. Allah was showing us that he was telling the truth. But what could we have possibly done wrong in our lives, we, the innocent teenagers?