Question about hell and eternal punishment in Islam

[dyanaprajna2011]

When I studied Islam, this is an issue that I never really found a clear cut answer to, so maybe I can get some information here. In Islam, is hell a place of eternal punishment, or do all people eventually reach heaven?

 

[Cordoba]

When I studied Islam, this is an issue that I never really found a clear cut answer to, so maybe I can get some information here. In Islam, is hell a place of eternal punishment, or do all people eventually reach heaven?

Hello and welcome

God gave mankind free will to believe in Him or disbelieve, and for those who believe to obey Him or disobey. At the same time He has warned people through His messengers and divine Books that those who disbelieve have chosen to live this life they way they please, and will be deprived from entering heaven in the Hereafter.

Therefore there are three main categories of choices / people:

- The first are those who chose to disbelieve in God, and in the Hereafter they will live an eternal life in Hell

- The second are those who believe in God and who obeyed Him in this life, and their abode will be an eternal life in Heaven

- There is a third category, those who believe in God but disobeyed Him most of the time, so that their bad deed exceeded their good deeds on the Day of Judgment. If they are not subject to God's Mercy, they will enter Hell first for a while, then later on they will be taken out of Hell and admitted into Heaven

So this life is really a test, and a transition to the Hereafter ...

 

[TashaN]

Allah mercy has no end, that's why many scholars believe that hell will be there forever, by default, but a day would come whereby hell might be empty, and hence the distunction in the promise of heaven and hell. While Allah promises that heaven will be for belivers without an end, for hell case, he said that he is doer for whatecer he intend.


105. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allâh’s) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.

106. As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone.

107. They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).

108. And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a gift without an end. (Quran 11:107)

We also have in another Surah ...

128. He will say: "The Fire be your dwelling-place, you will dwell therein forever, except as Allâh may will. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing." (Quran 6:128)

 

[Yahya310]

Question: Do heaven and hell last a certain time period that ends? Because Allah swt says, {[They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will.} Surat Hud (Hud) 11:107 And what is the fate of the people of heaven and hell afterwards?

Answer: In the name of Allah, the Abundantly Merciful, the Intensely Merciful.
And praise is to Allah the Lord of the worlds.
May the prayers and peace of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny, the Imams and the Mahdis.

There are many clear and explicit verses that immortality in heaven is eternal, the Almighty said, {But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement.} Surat an-Nisa (The Women) 4:122

And such is the case for hellfire, as immortality in it is eternal, the Almighty said, {But [I have for you] only notification from Allah , and His messages." And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.} Surat al-Jinn (The Jinn) 72:23

And this is according to entitlement and justice, but first and last, the command is for Allah swt, and He swt is kind and the sovereignty is His with all it includes, and He can do whatever He wishes with it, and no one is to ask Him if He were to wish to forgive some of His worshippers or accept intercession for them thus take them out of hellfire which they entered by entitlement. He can also raise the ranks of some of his worshippers in the heavens so their type of immortality in the heavens changes as a result of that.

Answer by Ahmad al-Hassan

(You too can ask any questions you want here: saviorofmankind.com • View forum - Questions directed to Imam Ahmad al-Hassan PBUH)

 

[F0uad]

According to my understanding there is both.

 

[Breathe]

Allah mercy has no end, that's why many scholars believe that hell will be there forever, by default, but a day would come whereby hell might be empty, and hence the distunction in the promise of heaven and hell. While Allah promises that heaven will be for belivers without an end, for hell case, he said that he is doer for whatecer he intend.

Does that mean that the non-Muslim who lived a good and pious life may one day enter into Jannah (monotheist or otherwise) insha'Allah?

 

[F0uad]

Does that mean that the non-Muslim who lived a good and pious life may one day enter into Jannah (monotheist or otherwise) insha'Allah?

Well God's will is above our will so off-course its not for us to decide who goes to hell or not.

The Quran is very clear that some people will abide hell forever(rejecters of faith) and some will endure a small amount of time (muslim and maybe non-muslims).

 

[Rational_Mind]

Allah mercy has no end, that's why many scholars believe that hell will be there forever, by default, but a day would come whereby hell might be empty, and hence the distunction in the promise of heaven and hell. While Allah promises that heaven will be for belivers without an end, for hell case, he said that he is doer for whatecer he intend.


105. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allâh’s) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.

106. As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone.

107. They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).

108. And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a gift without an end. (Quran 11:107)

We also have in another Surah ...

128. He will say: "The Fire be your dwelling-place, you will dwell therein forever, except as Allâh may will. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing." (Quran 6:128)

This is spot on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat's view. These verses prove without a doubt the distinction between hell and heaven in the fact that heaven will be everlasting. Here is a Hadith also supporting this view further:

Ahmad bin Hanbal has quoted a saying of the Holy Prophet (saw), as reported by Abdullahbin 'Amr bin al-'As to the effect:
"There will come on Hell a day when its shuters will strike against each other and there will be none in it. That will happen after the inmates of Hell will have lived in it for centuries" (Musnad)

In Islam hell is seen as a hospital. Yes there is pain and suffering, not out of revenge but rather the love of Allah (swt) for his creation. It is where they go to heal. Hence, it is temporary but for some that temporary may appear like eternity. While we are in a hospital it feels like months have gone by over a couple of weeks. This is the natural feeling.

 

[Rational_Mind]

In words of the Promised Messiah (as)

It is unreasonable and is contrary to the perfect attributes of God, the Glorious, that once a person has been condemned to hell, only the Divine attributes of chastisement should be manifested in his case and the attributes of mercy and forgiveness should be suspended for ever and should not come into operation. From what God Almighty has said in His Book, it appears that those condemned to hell shall dwell therein for a long period which is metaphorically described as for ever, but then the attribute of mercy will be manifested and, as is mentioned in a hadeeth, God will stretch forth His hand into hell and all those who fall into His grip will be taken out of hell. This hadeeth indicates that in the end all will attain salvation as the hand of God is unlimited and no one can be left out of it (Chashma Masihi pp. 47- 48).

Heaven and Hell can be the same place, hence souls will be in the place forever but the perception may change. For example, we may be on Earth forever and it may be heaven for some and hell forever. People can leave hell yet remain at the same place by change of perception.

But what is the meaning of heavenly bliss, the tortures of the fire of hell? In answer to this question, the Promised Messiah (as) has illustrated the issue in the following terms: If a man is almost dying of thirst, and is otherwise healthy, cool water can provide him such deeply satisfying pleasure as cannot be derived from the ordinary experience of drinking water, or even the most delicious drink of his choice. If a man is thirsty and hungry as well, and he needs an immediate source of energy, a chilled bunch of grapes can provide him with such deep satisfaction as is not experienced by the same in ordinary circumstances. But the pre-requisite for these pleasures is good health. Now visualise a very sick man, who is nauseating and trying to vomit whatever liquid is left in him, and is at the verge of death through dehydration. Offer him a glass of cool water, or a chilled bunch of grapes, then not to mention his accepting them, a mere glance of them would create a state of revulsion and absolute abhorrence in him.

In illustrations like these, the Promised Messiah (as) made it clear that hell and heaven are only issues of relativity. A healthy soul which has acquired the taste for good things, when brought into close proximity of the objects of its choice, will draw even greater pleasure than before. All that a healthy spiritual man was craving was nearness to God and His attributes and to imitate divine virtues. In heaven, such a healthy soul would begin to see and conceive and feel the nearness of the attributes of God like never before. They, according to the Promised Messiah, would not remain merely spiritual values, but would acquire ethereal forms and shapes, which the newly born heavenly spirit would enjoy with the help of the erstwhile soul, which would function as the body. That again would be a matter of relativity. The converse will be true of hell, in the sense that an unhealthy soul would create an unhealthy body for the new soul of the hereafter. And the same factors which provide pleasure to the healthy soul would provide torture and deep suffering for this unhealthy entity. (An Elementary Study of Islam, Mirza Tahir Ahmad)

 

[TashaN]

Does that mean that the non-Muslim who lived a good and pious life may one day enter into Jannah (monotheist or otherwise) insha'Allah?

While it's tempting to make such assertion but it's not a clear cut issue. If it was so, there would be no difference between Muslims and non-Muslims.

That's why we say it's up to Allah to decide that. In one of the hadiths, Prophet Mohamed mentioned a story about a murderer who lived way before Mohamed was sent as a Messenger--story was inspired to him by God--whereby this murderer wanted to repent after killing 99 souls. He went to a pious man and asked him if God could forgive him, so the answer was no, so he killed the pious man and the total people he killed became 100. He went to another pious man and this time the pious man asked this murderer to leave his current place which is evil, and go to another place and live with some people who worship God, and do like them. On the way to that new place he died, so the angels debated whether the angel charge of hell would take his soul or the angel in charge of those who will go to heaven, then Allah ordered them to measure the length to see whether he was closer to the new place or the old one, and they found he was closer to the new place where he wanted to repent and live a pious life so Allah ordered angels in charge of those who will enter heaven to take him.

This clearly shows that the intention of this man played an important role in his destiny, not just his past actions in life.

 

[F0uad]

While it's tempting to make such assertion but it's not a clear cut issue. If it was so, there would be no difference between Muslims and non-Muslims.

That's why we say it's up to Allah to decide that. In one of the hadiths, Prophet Mohamed mentioned a story about a murderer who lived way before Mohamed was sent as a Messenger--story was inspired to him by God--whereby this murderer wanted to repent after killing 99 souls. He went to a pious man and asked him if God could forgive him, so the answer was no, so he killed the pious man and the total people he killed became 100. He went to another pious man and this time the pious man asked this murderer to leave his current place which is evil, and go to another place and live with some people who worship God, and do like them. On the way to that new place he died, so the angels debated whether the angel charge of hell would take his soul or the angel in charge of those who will go to heaven, then Allah ordered them to measure the length to see whether he was closer to the new place or the old one, and they found he was closer to the new place where he wanted to repent and live a pious life so Allah ordered angels in charge of those who will enter heaven to take him.

This clearly shows that the intention of this man played an important role in his destiny, not just his past actions in life.

Didn't Allah(swt) made the path shorter according to the hadith because he is the rahman? Just a question..

 

[TashaN]

Didn't Allah(swt) made the path shorter according to the hadith because he is the rahman? Just a question..

In one of the versions of the hadith that's true.

Below the details:

Repentance: A Man Wo Had Killed 99

 

[loverOfTruth]

107.[/B][/COLOR] They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).

108. And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a gift without an end.

According to Tafseer Ibn Kathir, the mention of 'except as your Lord wills' for verse 11:107 above is for people of Tawhid (not necessarily Muslim but someone who believes at least that there is One God/Creator with no partners).

"It has been said that the exception mentioned in this verse refers to the disobedient among the people of Tawhid. It is these whom Allah will bring out of the Fire by the intercession of the interceders.
Those who will be allowed to intercede are the angels, the Prophets and the believers. They will intercede even on behalf of those who committed major sins. Then, the generous mercy of Allah will remove from the Fire those who have never done any good, except for saying La ilaha illallah(There is no god but God) one day of their life.
This has been mentioned in numerous authentic reports from the Messenger of Allah, including narrations from Anas bin Malik, Jabir bin Abdullah, Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, Abu Hurayrah and other Companions.
No one remains in the Fire after this final intercession, except those who will remain there forever without escape. This is the opinion held by many of the scholars, both past and present, concerning the explanation of this verse." [1]

And the mention of 'except as your Lord wills' for verse 11:108 above is also because God is the ultimate authority to decide on the pleasures He bestows on anyone and He can give you more than what you deserve.
"The meaning of the exception that is made here is that the condition of eternal pleasure that they will experience therein is something that is not mandatory by itself. Rather, it is something that is dependent upon the will of Allah. Unto Him belongs the favor of immortality upon them. For this reason they are inspired to glorify and praise Him, just as they are inspired to breathe." [1]

At the end, "Allah soothes the hearts and affirms the intent, by His saying" - 'a gift without an end'. "This has been mentioned so that the suspicious person will not doubt after the mention of the will of Allah. Someone may think that the mention of Allah's will here means that the pleasure of Paradise may end or change. To the contrary, it has been decreed that this pleasure will truly be forever and will never end. " [1]

Finally, even if one doesn't take the mention of 'except as your Lord wills' for verse 11:107 above for people of Tawhid only (i.e it can apply for anyone), it certainly is not a firm guarantee of a finite punishment but rather a possibility only according to the wisdom, justice and will of the Almighty and who knows after how many thousands of years of punishment in Hell. So I wouldn't be too excited on that account per say . Better to at least believe in One God unless you have concrete proof otherwise.

Peace.

[1]http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/011%20Hud.htm

 

[loverOfTruth]

Does that mean that the non-Muslim who lived a good and pious life may one day enter into Jannah (monotheist or otherwise) insha'Allah?

While it's tempting to make such assertion but it's not a clear cut issue. If it was so, there would be no difference between Muslims and non-Muslims.

That's why we say it's up to Allah to decide that. In one of the hadiths, Prophet Mohamed mentioned a story about a murderer who lived way before Mohamed was sent as a Messenger--story was inspired to him by God--whereby this murderer wanted to repent after killing 99 souls. He went to a pious man and asked him if God could forgive him, so the answer was no, so he killed the pious man and the total people he killed became 100. He went to another pious man and this time the pious man asked this murderer to leave his current place which is evil, and go to another place and live with some people who worship God, and do like them. On the way to that new place he died, so the angels debated whether the angel charge of hell would take his soul or the angel in charge of those who will go to heaven, then Allah ordered them to measure the length to see whether he was closer to the new place or the old one, and they found he was closer to the new place where he wanted to repent and live a pious life so Allah ordered angels in charge of those who will enter heaven to take him.

This clearly shows that the intention of this man played an important role in his destiny, not just his past actions in life.

I agree - this response clarifies your previous post perfectly.

 

[Gharib]

Salam to all, I know I said I was going away but I just wanted to post the following verse:

[4:48] Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

To read the commentary of Ibn Kathir, go to the link below and read from the bottom of page 146 to the middle of 149.

http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir Ibn Kathir/PDF/004 Nisa.pdf

 

[Rational_Mind]

Didn't Allah(swt) made the path shorter according to the hadith because he is the rahman? Just a question..

Salam to all, I know I said I was going away but I just wanted to post the following verse:

[4:48] Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

To read the commentary of Ibn Kathir, go to the link below and read from the bottom of page 146 to the middle of 149.

http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir Ibn Kathir/PDF/004 Nisa.pdf

I understand it to mean that if they outright reject the truth, as mentioned in the prior verse, even though the scriptures they hold show the truth. Then not repenting in this life means they will not be forgiven of this sin. Forgiving of a sin means to clear it, but a person who does not repent does not get cleared of a sin. So these people will have a portion of punishment for Shirk in the hereafter. Although, I don't take that as eternal punishment, I think that you would agree here.

Welcome Back

 

[F0uad]

I understand it to mean that if they outright reject the truth, as mentioned in the prior verse, even though the scriptures they hold show the truth. Then not repenting in this life means they will not be forgiven of this sin. Forgiving of a sin means to clear it, but a person who does not repent does not get cleared of a sin. So these people will have a portion of punishment for Shirk in the hereafter. Although, I don't take that as eternal punishment, I think that you would agree here.

Welcome Back

No i don't agree simply on the point that i don't make that decision i have no saying in this nor do you (with all respect).

 

[islam means peace]

When I studied Islam, this is an issue that I never really found a clear cut answer to, so maybe I can get some information here. In Islam, is hell a place of eternal punishment, or do all people eventually reach heaven?

To the best of knowledge Allah has given me , for some people who did not do shirk the punishment will be for certain period depend upon thier sins , and for poeple who do shirk , it will be for ever.

Allah knows the best.

 

[Rational_Mind]

No i don't agree simply on the point that i don't make that decision i have no saying in this nor do you (with all respect).

I am not going to bother to clarify at this point. I would only suggest reading twice or maybe three four times and interpreting it as positively as possible before commenting.

 

[seeking4truth]

My understanding of religion leads me to think that Heaven and Hell are not 'rewards' and 'punishments' inflicted by Allah on us.
Allah has always tried to advise and guide us. He is our creator and knows how we can make the best of ourselves. By 'submitting' to His knowledge(ie. believing) and following His guidance(doing good) we can all reach heaven ie. fulfil our potential, achieve peace and contentment whatever our physical conditions.
Conversely, not do so results in frustrations, lack of contentment and stresses that are hell.

Hence heaven and Hell begin in this life and are not seperate from it. Just as spiritual growth begins here and continues after death so does 'heaven' and 'hell'.