12-24-2006, 07:45 PM
Bismillah
FHC one of the questions, my dear brother Wael :) decided to leave it unattended:
Does Islam teach that hell is eternal?
I leave it to somebody else to answer insh a’Allah.
See, the issue of Hell is really massive.
For instance, Allah, may He be Glorified, Say:
19:71
"There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished."
Now to explain this, we need a long post, are you ready, ok i know u r :)
the underlined sentence refers to something called Sirat, in the Day of Judgement, we will have to pass over it, according to the deeds of each given person, the pace of passing will vary, some evern shall not be able to make. Thus, shall fall into Hell.
The eternity part: To be brief, those who didnt believe in Allah according to Islamic monotheism which is the only religion accepted to Allah starting from Adam till Mohamed prayer and peace be upon all of them, shall be eternal in hell. Otherwise, Muslims dwelling in hell shall vary according to their deeds. I mean, each Muslim, according to the deeds and with the Mercy of Allah Shall serve a time in Hell, in some cases, there are those who shall be pardoned totally and just go straight to Heaven, may Allah Makes us among them. While there is a third group who shall remain in neutral site till Allah Judges their situation.
Thus, eternity in hell shall be destined to those who dont believe, as in:
"Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers.* Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.* Verily, those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers, it is they on whom is the Curse of Allah and of the angels and of humankind, combined.* They will abide therein (under the curse in Hell), their punishment will neither be lightened, nor will they be reprieved." (Quran 2: 159-162)
With all due respect to the translator, the underlined part literally means abide eternally.
This is just one example, I dont want to flood you with Quranic verses.