Is hell eternal?

 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

Punishment of Hell - Temporary or Eternal?

We are not sure about, is Hell eternal or not?, Allah knows best. Because Quran indicate both. Just think about it, if Allah says that Hell is not eternal and it is for a long period. Then what will be our reflection towards it? Most of us will not obey Allah and will commit major sins, because we may think after a long period we may enter in paradise. The fact is that we can't stay there in even a second. We know, this modern world is full of sins, But the true believers are avoiding those sins from the fear about Allah's punishment. So it is better to threat human with eternal hell. Remember that, it may be Eternal or Long period. 

“And We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” (Quran 5:48)

The above verse is clearly saying that Allah will judge us according to what we get. it means what we understand and what we do with that. If you get less and you do better, then you may get higher reward. and if you get more and do less, then you will be rewarded less. Whether it may be Good or bad. Even if a non muslim didn't understand Islam, Allah will not punish him. He may test him on the day of judgement. That is an another topic, I will make a post about it if Allah wills.

 “Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction” (Quran 17:21)

“And for all are degrees from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do” (Quran 6:132)

 “And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated." (Quran 15:43-44)

Allah says that, there are divisions in the paradise and hell according to our deeds. Allah will judge us based on what we get (mental & physical ability, knowledge, blessings, trials etc) and how we reflected towards it.  

So it is clear that everybody will get rewarded according to their deeds. If anybody didn't like to get paradise from the earth will get Hell. And who intended to get paradise and do good deeds for that, they will get paradise. That is our choice. But Allah says that hypocrite will be in Hell, “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them” (Quran 4:145). Because they know that Islam is the truth and pretend like a Muslim in front of people, But not in front of Allah, and do against Allah's teaching when they are alone or in front of evil people for the worldly gains. And Allah will never punish anybody they didn't get or didn't understand his message.

“And never would We punish until We sent a messenger” (Quran 17:15) 

“And Allah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them as to what they should avoid”(Quran 9:115) 

 “Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants” (Quran 41:46)

“Nowise shall We be unjust to them: but it is they who have been unjust themselves.”(Quran 43:76)

It is clear that Allah will not be unjust. He will give what we deserved. 

Ok lets go to the topic.

Is Hell eternal?

The correct knowledge is only with Allah. The majority of early Muslim scholars believe that the Hellfire will exist eternally and that unbelievers will reside within it forever. A minority of scholars, however, believe that the Hellfire will exist eternally, but that eventually it will be emptied of any inhabitants. Both of these views are valid theological opinions that are supported by the Quran, the Sunnah, and views of the Prophet’s (ṣ) companions and early Muslims.

A number of verses speak of the inhabitants of Hellfire “remaining therein” (khalidina fiha) and sometimes describe it as “forever” (abada). On the surface, these verses seem to describe an eternal punishment.

But there are some well known Muslim scholars who expressed the view that the Hell may not be eternal because of Allah's mercy or it may be eternal but it's hard punishment may be removed. One of the well known medieval scholar Ibn al-Qayyim has the same view. But he also said that the complete knowledge is belongs to Allah. So we can look at some Quran verses about punishment in hell.

First, we must appreciate that the Lord did not make His creation to punish them. He is foremost most gracious, most kind. In Quran, every chapters except one are starting with the words “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”.

Ok, lets analyze some Quranic wordings about paradise and hell.

'KHALID' AND 'ABAD'

To gain a better understanding of the Quran's point of view, let us first obtain some familiarity with the Arabic verb 'Khalada'. The root of this term is KH-L-D and many Muslims remain familiar with the word from popular names such as Khalid (male) and Khalida (female). Its derivatives appear numerous times in the Quran. 

It has also been used to describe the time period for both the dwellers of heaven and hell.

1. For heaven

“And as for those whose faces have been whitened, in the mercy of God they dwell for ever (Arabic: Khalidun)” (Quran 3:107) 

2.For Hell

“Go now, and enter the gate of Hell, and abide in it for ever (Arabic: Khalideen),"Evil indeed is the abode of the arrogant.” (Quran 16:29)

ROOT KH-L-D

Source: Edward Lanes Lexicon

It is clear that the word exhibits two meanings which are:

1. A long duration or

2. A period that is eternal and unceasing.

ROOT A-B-D

Another Arabic word which is at times translated in a manner to imply an unceasing duration is 'abadan'. 'Abad' in Arabic simply means to remain, to stay or dwell. Albeit it can imply duration in an absolute sense, this is not always the case. It can also simply refer to a long duration.

If we analyse the Quran with all the relevant verses in which ‘heaven’ is coupled with its duration, there seems to be no indication of a limitation of time by the usage of the word 'khalid'. Therefore, in this context (at least from a scriptural point of view), heaven seems to strongly imply an unceasing, endless abode. Another example is cited further in the article to corroborate this point. (*) (verse 11:108)

However, this is not the case with the duration of Hell.

Indeed, the root ‘KH-L-D’ has been used numerous times to indicate the duration of Hell as has been shown in example 16.29 above. If there was no further elaboration, then as with heaven, it would appear that the duration of the punishment was also everlasting.

However, all related verses and themes of the Quran must be kept harmonized and it appears that the punishment of Hell is not necessarily endless as we note in the following verse.

“Truly Hell is as a place of ambush, for the transgressors a place of destination: They will dwell in it for ages (Arabic: Ahqab(a))” (Quran 78:21-23)

أَحْقَابًا = ahqaaba (for ages)

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE ARABIC WORD 'AHQABA' (AGES)?

The Arabic word ‘Ahqaba’ is plural and is formed from the root HA-QAF-BA which denotes no more than a period of time. Different authorities render different time periods but whichever way one chooses to define it, it is obvious that the term signifies a limited period of time (irrespective of how long) and not eternity.

Source: Edward Lanes Lexicon

WHERE ELSE IS THE ROOT WORD 'HA-QAF-BA' USED?

"And when Moses said to his servant: I will not give up until I reach the point where the two rivers meet, though I march on for ages (Huqba - Root: Ha-Qaf-Ba)" (Quran 18:60)

حُقُبًا = huqba (ages)

With the use of the word 'ahqab' in verse 78:23, it is clear therefore that the duration of the punishment in hell may not be eternal. Allah knows best.

OTHER EXAMPLES:

1. For hell

“Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: They will dwell therein for all the time that the Heavens and the Earth endure, except as thy Lord wills: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He plans” (Quran 11:106-107)

2. For Heaven

“And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the Heavens and the Earth endure, except as thy Lord wills: a gift without break (Arabic: Ata'an ghayra majdud)” (Quran 11:108)

عَطَاءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ = ataa’an ghayra majdzuuz (gift without break)

In the above verses, both heaven and hell are synonymous with the phrase until the 'heavens and earth endure’ along with the exception, ‘as thy Lord wills’. However, with regards heaven, we note the elaboration a ‘gift without break’ – ‘Ata'an’ (Bestowal) ‘ghayra Majdud’ (Uninterrupted). This elaboration is omitted with reference to hell which once again suggests a limitation to the punishment.

Furthermore, when heaven and hell are contrasted together in verses 64:9-10 below, the duration of the inhabitants of 'Jannah' is described as 'khalidina' with an elaboration of 'abad' which gives a sense of perpetuity / absoluteness. In contrast, the duration of hell is limited to 'khalidina' without the elaboration 'abad'.

"...He will admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever (Arabic: khalidina fiha abadan). That will be the supreme achievement." (Quran 64:9)

"But those who disbelieved and denied our verses, they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell in it (Arabic: khalidina) and wretched is that destination" (Quran 64:10)

HELL IS A MULTIFACETED ABODE TO FIT THE CRIME OF THE SINNER

The Quran at many places alludes to the ‘abode of the sinners’ as a multifaceted place (15.43-44) which is geared to fit the numerous levels of crimes of the sinners. It is not a place where every sinner will be given the same punishment or necessarily of hell-fire.

God informs the reader that not an atom’s weight of injustice will occur (4.40). All punishment will be in exact accordance to the measure of the evil deed of the sinner.

“And to all are (assigned) degrees according to the deeds which they (have done), and in order that (God) may recompense their deeds, and no injustice be done to them” (Quran 46:19)

“But those who have earned evil will have a reward of like evil...” (Quran 10:27)

“Therein taste they neither coolness nor (any) drink. Save boiling water and a paralysing cold: reward proportioned (to their evil deeds)” (Quran 78:24-26)

“To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds: for thy Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do” (Quran 6:132)

"He that does good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that does evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil (or the like of it Arabic: illa mith'laha) : no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them" (Quran 6:160) 

In the end, only Allah knows what will really happen on the Day of Resurrection and how he will deal with the sinners among his creation. We can only interpret the evidence of revelation in the best way we can, as the true extent of the reality of the Hereafter is unknown to us. What we do know for sure is that Allah is just, wise, and merciful. His justice, wisdom, and mercy will be fulfilled in the Hereafter in ways we cannot even imagine.

Allah knows best

References:

The Holy Quran

Article / abuaminaelias.com

Article / quranbasedislam.com