the word is literally translated as "the heights" in english. the realm is described as a high curtain between hell and paradise. ibn kathir described a'raf as a wall that contains a gate. in this high wall lived people who witness the terror of hell and the beauty of paradise. they yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced. yet with the mercy of god, they will be among the last people to enter the paradise. the catholic scholar of islam louis massignon believed, the christian concept of limbo was inspired by the muslim interpretation of a'raf.