Quranic Terminology: Eternity: (3) Immortality/Eternity in the Hereafter between Definitive and Similar Quranic Verses
Published in January 1, 2020
Translated by: Ahmed Fathy
Introduction:
1- The so-called death penalty for apostasy has nothing to do with Islam; it does not pertain to Islam at all; this penalty for rejecters of faith goes against the Quranic command against compulsion in religion and the Quranic principle of absolute religious freedom for all human beings. In return for this freedom, each one among the human beings will bear full responsibility for the religious choices made in this world, resulting, on the Last Day, in either an eternity in Hell or the Eternal Life in Paradise.
2- Within preaching Islam (i.e., the Quran only) for the sake of guidance, there is another proof regarding the absolute religious freedom granted by the Lord God to all human beings; namely, if the human beings were forced or coerced to believe, the Lord God would not have revealed His Celestial Books to call them to believe within monotheism and to perform many good deeds and to warn them against an eternity in Hell torment. Such warnings in the Quran include comparing between Hell torment forever and the Eternal Life in Paradise so that human beings would choose for themselves to (dis)believe, to (dis)obey, and to be (mis)guided. If human beings choose misguidance and to never heed the Quranic warnings, they will wrong their own souls in the Hereafter; in that case, the Lord God is never unjust towards them.
3- In the definitive Quranic verses, eternity/immortality is mentioned regarding both Hell and Paradise within explicit comparisons; in contrast, in the similar Quranic verses, eternity/immortality is mentioned once regarding either Hell or Paradise; in such cases, comparisons are implied. Of course, definitive (concise, brief, and general) Quranic verses control and define the meanings of the similar (detailed and explanatory) Quranic verses; the similar Quranic verses explain and detail the definitive Quranic verses.
4- We provide some details in the points below.
Firstly: exemplifying how comparisons are mentioned between eternity/immortality in Hell and the Eternal Life in Paradise within definitive Quranic verses (i.e., eternity is mentioned twice in one Quranic context):
1- The Muhammadans believe in hadiths (authored by Al-Bokhary and his likes) regarding dwellers of Hell getting out of it through the intercession of intercessors (i.e., prophets and the so-called 'saints'); this myth drives them to believe in the falsehood that there would be no eternity inside Hell. This devilish falsehood was embraced before by polytheists among the People of the Book; the Quran refutes such a claim here: "And they say, “The Fire will not touch us except for a number of days.” Say, “Have you received a promise from God - God never breaks His promise - or are you saying about God what you do not know?” Indeed, whoever commits misdeeds, and becomes besieged by his iniquities - these are the inmates of the Fire, wherein they will dwell forever. As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds - these are the inhabitants of Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever." (2:80-82). We find the following about Hell dwellers (these are the inmates of the Fire, wherein they will dwell forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (these are the inhabitants of Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever). Sadly, the Muhammadans never believe in these verses; they have rejected and abandoned the Quran.
2- "Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in throngs. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, “Did not messengers from among you come to you, reading to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say, “Yes, but the verdict of torment is justified against the disbelievers.” It will be said, “Enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein eternally.” How wretched is the destination of the arrogant. And those who feared their Lord within piety will be led to Paradise in throngs. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, “Peace be upon you, you have been good, so enter it, to abide therein eternally.”" (39:71-73). We find the following about Hell dwellers (Enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein eternally), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Peace be upon you, you have been good, so enter it, to abide therein eternally).
3- "For those who have done good is goodness, and more. Neither gloom nor shame will come over their faces. These are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever. As for those who have earned evil deeds: a reward of similar evil, and shame will cover them. They will have no defense against God - as if their faces are covered with dark patches of night. These are the inmates of the Fire, abiding therein forever." (10:26-27). We find the following about Hell dwellers (These are the inmates of the Fire, abiding therein forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (These are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever).
4- "The promise of truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: “Woe to us. We were oblivious to this. In fact, we were unjust ones.” You and what you worship besides God are fuel for Hell. You will descend into it. Had these been gods, they would not have descended into it. All will abide in it for eternity. In it they will wail. In it they will not hear. As for those who deserved goodness from Us - these will be kept away from it. They will not hear its hissing, and they will forever abide in what their hearts desire. The Supreme Fear will not worry them, and the angels will receive them: “This is your Day which you were promised.”" (21:97-103). We find the following about Hell dwellers (All will abide in it for eternity), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (they will forever abide in what their hearts desire).
5- "The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They advocate evil, and prohibit righteousness, and withhold their hands. They forgot God, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are the sinners. God has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is their due. And God has cursed them. They will have a lasting torment." (9:67-68); "The believing men and believing women are friends of one another. They advocate virtue, forbid evil, perform the prayers, practice charity, and obey God and His Messenger. These - God will have mercy on them. God is Noble and Wise. God promises the believers, men and women, gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever, and fine homes in the Gardens of Eden. But approval from God is even greater. That is the supreme achievement." (9:71-72). We find the following about Hell dwellers (the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever).
6- This is about those who apply the Lord God's Quranic sharia legislations regarding inheritance: "These are the laws set by God. Whoever obeys God and His Messenger, He will admit him into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the great attainment." (4:13); this about those who do not apply them: "But whoever disobeys God and His Messenger, and transgress His laws, He will admit him into a Fire, wherein he abides forever, and he will have a shameful torment." (4:14). We find the following about Hell dwellers (Fire, wherein he abides forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever).
7- " The servants of the Dominant Lord are those who walk the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace.” And those who pass the night prostrating themselves to their Lord and standing up. And those who say, ‘‘Our Lord, avert from us the torment of Hell, for its suffering is continuous. It is indeed a miserable residence and destination.” And those who, when they spend, are neither wasteful nor stingy, but choose a middle course between that. And those who do not implore besides God any other god, and do not kill the soul which God has made sacred - except in the pursuit of justice - and do not commit adultery. Whoever does that will face penalties. The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will dwell therein in humiliation forever. Except for those who repent, and believe, and do good deeds. These - God will replace their bad deeds with good deeds. God is ever Forgiving and Merciful. Whoever repents and acts righteously - has inclined towards God with repentance. And those who do not bear false witness; and when they come across indecencies, they pass by with dignity. And those who, when reminded of the Verses of their Lord, do not fall before them deaf and blind. And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us delight in our spouses and our children, and make us a good example for the righteous.” Those will be awarded the Chamber for their patience, and will be greeted therein with greetings and peace. Abiding therein forever - it is an excellent residence and destination." (25:63-76). We find the following about Hell dwellers (The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will dwell therein in humiliation forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Abiding therein forever - it is an excellent residence and destination).
8- "On that Day, friends will be enemies of one another, except for the righteous. O My servants, you have nothing to fear on that Day, nor will you grieve. Those who believed in Our Verses, and were submissive. Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, Joyfully. They will be served around with trays of gold, and cups. Therein is whatever the souls desire and delights the eyes. Therein you will stay forever. Such is the Garden you are made to inherit, because of what you used to do. Therein you will have abundant fruit, from which you eat. As for the sinners, they will be in the torment of Hell forever." (43:67-74). We find the following about Hell dwellers (in the torment of Hell forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Therein you will stay forever).
Secondly: exemplifying how comparisons are implied between eternity/immortality in Hell and in Paradise within similar Quranic verses (i.e., eternity is mentioned once in one context):
1- "Satan has taken hold of them, and so has caused them to forget the remembrance of God. These are the allies of Satan. Indeed, it is Satan’s allies who are the losers. Those who oppose God and His Messenger are among the lowliest. God has written: “I will certainly prevail, I and My messengers.” God is Strong and Mighty. You will not find a people who believe in God and the Last Day, loving those who oppose God and His Messenger, even if they were their parents, or their children, or their siblings, or their close relatives. These - He has inscribed faith in their hearts, and has supported them with a spirit from Him. And He will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will dwell forever. God is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. These are the allies of God. Indeed, it is God’s allies who are the successful." (58:19-22). We find the following about Hell dwellers (Satan’s allies who are the losers. Those who oppose God and His Messenger are among the lowliest), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will dwell forever).
2- "We will make those who disbelieve taste an intense torment, and We will recompense them according to the worst of what they used to do. Such is the recompense of God’s enemies - the Fire - where they will have their immortality home, in recompense for having disregarded Our Verses. Those who disbelieved will say, “Our Lord, show us those who led us astray - among jinn and humans - and we will trample them under our feet, so they become of the lowest.” Surely, those who say: “Our Lord is God,” and then go straight, the angels will descend upon them: “Do not fear, and do not grieve, but rejoice in the news of the Garden which you were promised. We are your allies in this life and in the Hereafter, wherein you will have whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you call for. As Hospitality from an All-Forgiving, Merciful One.”" (41:27-32). We find the following about Hell dwellers (Such is the recompense of God’s enemies - the Fire - where they will have their immortality home), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (wherein you will have whatever your souls desire), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.
3- "If only you could see the guilty, bowing their heads before their Lord: “Our Lord, we have seen and we have heard, so send us back, and we will act righteously; we are now convinced.” Had We willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the declaration from Me will come true: “I will fill Hell with jinn and humans, altogether.” So taste, because you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours; We have forgotten you; so taste the eternal torment for what you used to do. They believe in Our Verses, those who, when reminded of them, fall down prostrate, and glorify their Lord with praise, and are not proud. Their sides shun their beds, as they pray to their Lord, out of reverence and hope; and from Our provisions to them, they give. No soul knows what eye’s delight awaits them - a reward for what they used to do. Is someone who is faithful like someone who is a sinner? They are not equal. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them are the Gardens of Shelter - hospitality for what they used to do." (32:12-19). We find the following about Hell dwellers (so taste the eternal torment), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (the Gardens of Shelter - hospitality for what they used to do), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.
4- "On the Day when We will say to Hell, “Are you full?” And it will say, “Are there any more?” And Paradise will be brought closer to the pious, not far away. “This is what you were promised - for every careful penitent. Who inwardly feared the Dominant Lord and came with a repentant heart. Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity.” Therein they will have whatever they desire - and We have even more." (50:30-35). We find the following about Hell dwellers (On the Day when We will say to Hell, “Are you full?” And it will say, “Are there any more?), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Therein they will have whatever they desire - and We have even more), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.
5- "The likeness of the Garden promised to the righteous: in it are rivers of pure water, and rivers of milk forever fresh, and rivers of wine delightful to the drinkers, and rivers of strained honey. And therein they will have of every fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. Like one abiding in the Fire forever, and are given to drink boiling water, that cuts-up their bowels?" (47:15). We find the following about Hell dwellers (abiding in the Fire forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (Garden promised to the righteous...), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.
6- "Those whose scales are heavy - those are the successful. But those whose scales are light - those are they who have lost their souls; in Hell they will dwell forever." (23:102-103). We find the following about Hell dwellers (in Hell they will dwell forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (those are the successful), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.
7- "Do not be impressed by the disbelievers’ movements in the land. A brief enjoyment, then their abode is Hell. What a miserable resort. As for those who feared their Lord: for them will be gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever - hospitality from God. What God possesses is best for the just." (3:196-198). We find the following about Hell dwellers (their abode is Hell), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (wherein they will abide forever).
8- "He will admit the believers, male and female, into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever, and He will remit their sins. That, with God, is a great triumph. And He will torment the hypocrites, male and female, and the polytheists, male and female, those who harbor evil thoughts about God. They are surrounded by evil; and God is angry with them, and has cursed them, and has prepared for them Hell - a miserable destination." (48:5-6). We find the following about Hell dwellers (Hell - a miserable destination), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (abide therein forever).
9- "On the Day when you see the believing men and believing women - their light radiating ahead of them, and to their right: “Good news for you today: gardens beneath which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. That is the great triumph.” On the Day when the hypocritical men and hypocritical women will say to those who believed, “Wait for us; let us absorb some of your light.” It will be said, “Go back behind you, and seek light.” A wall will be raised between them, in which is a door; within it is mercy, and outside it is torment. They will call to them, “Were we not with you?” They will say, “Yes, but you cheated your souls, and waited, and doubted, and became deluded by wishful thinking, until the command of God arrived; and arrogance deceived you regarding God.” “Therefore, today no ransom will be accepted from you, nor from those who disbelieved. The Fire is your home. It is your companion - what an evil fate!”" (57:12-15). We find the following about Hell dwellers (The Fire is your home), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (dwelling therein forever).
10- "In fact, they have denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blaze. When it sees them from a distant place, they will hear it raging and roaring. And when they are thrown into it, into a tight place, shackled, they will plead there for death. “Do not plead for one death today, but plead for a great many deaths.” Say, “Is this better, or the Garden of Eternity promised to the righteous? It is for them a reward and a destination. They will have therein whatever they desire, forever. That is upon your Lord a binding promise." (25:11-16). We find the following about Hell dwellers (those who deny the Hour a Blaze...And when they are thrown into it, into a tight place, shackled, they will plead there for death), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (the Garden of Eternity promised to the righteous).
11- "Among the people is he who trades in distracting tales; intending, without knowledge, to lead away from God’s Path, and to make a mockery of it. These will have a humiliating torment. And when Our Verses are read to him, he turns away in pride, as though he did not hear them, as though there is deafness in his ears. So inform him of a painful torment. As for those who believe and do good deeds - for them are the Gardens of Bliss, dwelling therein forever. The promise of God is true. He is the Mighty, the Wise." (31:6-9). We find the following about Hell dwellers (a humiliating torment...a painful torment), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text, and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (for them are the Gardens of Bliss, dwelling therein forever).
12- "We said, “Go down from it, all of you. Yet whenever guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance - they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve. But as for those who disbelieve and reject Our Verses - these are the inmates of the Fire - wherein they will remain forever.”" (2:38-39). We find the following about Hell dwellers (these are the inmates of the Fire - wherein they will remain forever), and we find the following about Paradise dwellers (they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve), but eternity is not mentioned here; it is understood from the definitive verses found elsewhere in the Quranic text.