Quranic Terminology: Eternity: (2) The Hereafter's Two Types of Immortality

Published in December 30, 2019

Translated by: Ahmed Fathy

Firstly: immortality, or the Eternal Life, in Paradise:

 Of course, Paradise is for pious monotheists who performed many good deeds.

1- It is not enough to believe in the Lord God within monotheism; entering into Paradise requires performing good deeds.

2- It is not enough to perform many good deeds; one must believe in the Lord God within monotheism; to disbelieve in the Lord God or to believe in Him within polytheism means that He will reward the good deeds of polytheists/disbelievers in this world only, but their fate is in Hell in the Hereafter. The Lord God says the following in the Quran: "God invites to the Home of Peace and guides whomever He wills to a Straight Path. 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." (10:25-27). The Lord God will nullify the good deeds of (1) fame-seeking hypocrites, (2) power-seeking people who engage into politic ambitions, and (3) polytheists who desire, by their good deeds, to please their gods and saints/allies. To nullify their good deeds means that the Lord God will make them bear no fruit in the Hereafter: "We will proceed to the works they did, and will turn them into scattered dust." (25:23); this is a general Quranic rule made by Allah: "...But whoever rejects faith, his work will be in vain, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers." (5:5). The Lord God has warned the ancient messengers/prophets against polytheism which nullifies the good deeds: "Such is God’s guidance. He guides with it whomever is willing to be guided among His servants. Had they adhered to polytheism, their deeds would have gone in vain." (6:88). This warning is repeated to the last prophet, Muhammad, here: "It was revealed to you, and to those before you, that if you adhere to polytheism, your works will be in vain, and you will be of the losers." (39:65). We conclude then that in the Hereafter, the Lord God will nullify the good deeds of Muhammadans, Christians, Buddhists, and all other polytheists who deify/sanctify things and mortals.

3- This means that together, monotheistic faith plus many good deeds are prerequisite for inheriting the Eternal Life in Paradise; i.e., eternity/immortality in Paradise; this is why several Quranic verses repeat the phrase (those who believed and performed good deeds); this phase applies, of course, to male and female monotheists.

4- We quote the following Quranic verses are about eternity/immortality inside Paradise.

4/1: "And give good news to those who believe and perform righteous deeds; that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with fruit therefrom as sustenance, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before,” and they will be given the like of it. And they will have pure spouses therein, and they will abide therein forever." (2:25).     

4/2: "As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds - these are the inhabitants of Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever." (2:82).

4/3: "But those who believed and performed good deeds will be admitted into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to remain therein forever, by leave of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be: “Peace.”" (14:23).

4/4: "As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds - We never burden any soul beyond its capacity - these are the inhabitants of Paradise; abiding therein eternally." (7:42).

4/5: "As for those who believe and perform good deeds, and humble themselves before their Lord - these are the inhabitants of Paradise, where they will abide forever." (11:23).

4/6: "As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, they will have the Gardens of Paradise for hospitality. Abiding therein forever, without desiring any change therefrom." (18:107-108).

4/7: "But whoever comes to Him a believer, having worked righteousness - these will have the highest ranks. The Gardens of Perpetuity, beneath which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. That is the reward for him who purifies himself." (20:75-76).

4/8: "Those who believe and work righteousness - We will settle them in Paradise, in mansions under which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. Excellent is the compensation for the workers." (29:58).

4/9: This Quranic context details the good deeds performed by monotheists who will be among the winners on the Last Day: "Successful are the believers. Those who are humble in their prayers. Those who avoid nonsense. Those who work for charity. Those who maintain their chastity. Except from their spouses or their female slaves (to whom they are married) - for then they are free from blame. But whoever seeks anything beyond that - these are the transgressors. Those who are faithful to their trusts and pledges. Those who observe their prayers. These are the inheritors. Who will inherit Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever." (23:1-11). This means monotheistic believers who do not perform these good deeds will be among the losers and the unsuccessful on the Last Day: their fate is eternity inside Hell and not inside Paradise.

The Eternal Life in Paradise is for the pious ones only:

1- The pious ones are monotheists who have performed good deeds within piety; their piety means they never deified things/mortals besides their Lord God; their piety means they sought to gratify their Lord God with many good deeds and they avoided grave sins and immorality, and when they fell into the trap of sin/disobedience, they readily repented and implored their Lord God for forgiveness and pardon.

2- Paradise is confined to the pious monotheists: "Such is Paradise which We will give as inheritance to those of Our servants who are pious." (19:63).

3- They are described here: "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." (50:31-35).

4-The pious Paradise dwellers will include two ranks as per the Quranic Chapter 56: the higher one is the Forerunners who are nearer to the Dominant Lord because of their many good deeds and lack of grave sins; the lower one is those on the Right who committed grave sins (or disobedience) but repented sincerely and performed many good deeds.

4/1: The pious Paradise dwellers among the Forerunners are described here: "But the pious are amidst gardens and springs. Receiving what their Lord has given them. They were virtuous before that. They used to sleep a little at night. And at dawn, they would pray for pardon. And in their wealth, there was a share for the beggar and the deprived." (51:15-19).

4/2: The pious Paradise dwellers among those on the Right have sincerely repented after sinning and implored for pardon: "And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious. Those who give in prosperity and adversity, and those who restrain anger, and those who forgive people. God loves the doers of good. And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins - and who forgives sins except God? And they do not persist in their wrongdoing while they know. Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of the workers." (3:133-136). One must repent before reaching the age of forty: "We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. His mother carried him with difficulty, and delivered him with difficulty. His bearing and weaning takes thirty months. Until, when he has attained his maturity, and has reached forty years, he says, “Lord, enable me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to act with righteousness, pleasing You. And improve my children for me. I have sincerely repented to You, and I am of those who have surrendered.” Those are they from whom We accept the best of their deeds, and We overlook their misdeeds, among the dwellers of Paradise - the promise of truth which they are promised." (46:15-16).

5- Upon dying, each of the human beings will be either among disbelievers or the pious ones (Forerunners or those on the Right). They are told about their fate by the angels of death who come to take their souls.

5/1: This context is about the moment of dying: "So when it has reached the throat. As you are looking on. We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see. If you are not held to account. Then bring it back, if you are truthful." (56:83-87).

5/2: The angels of death bring glad tidings to the Forerunners: "But if he is one of those brought near. Then happiness, and flowers, and Garden of Delights." (56:88-89).

5/3: The angels of death greet those on the Right: "And if he is one of those on the Right. Then, “Peace upon you,” from those on the Right." (56:90-91).

5/4: The misguided disbelievers receive news of their fate in Hell: "But if he is one of the deniers, the mistaken. Then a welcome of Inferno. And burning in Hell." (56:92-94).

5/5: Of course, we cannot imagine how the angels of death talk to dying souls; this occurs while the dying souls are on the threshold of the Barsakh of dead souls before they leave this earthly existence; no dead ones return to life to inform us about such a moment; this is why the Lord God tells us here the following: "This is the Absolute Truth." (56:95); this means that dying persons witness the Truth beyond a shadow of doubt; the pious monotheists believe in the Quranic Truth especially regarding how the angels of death address the dying souls.

6- On the Last Day, the same distribution will be witnessed: those on the Left are Hell dwellers, and the Paradise dwellers will be of two ranks: the pious, nearer Forerunners and those on the Right.

6/1: This context is about this distribution or division: "And you become three classes. Those on the Right - what of those on the Right? And those on the Left - what of those on the Left? And the Forerunners, the Forerunners." (56:7-10).

6/2: This context is about the Paradise bliss for the Forerunners: "And the Forerunners, the Forerunners. Those are the nearest. In the Gardens of Bliss. A throng from the ancients. And a small band from the latecomers. On luxurious furnishings. Reclining on them, facing one another. Serving them will be immortal youth. With cups, pitchers, and sparkling drinks. Causing them neither headache, nor intoxication. And fruits of their choice. And meat of birds that they may desire. And lovely companions. The likenesses of treasured pearls. As a reward for what they used to do. Therein they will hear no nonsense, and no accusations. But only the greeting: “Peace, peace.”" (56:10-26).

6/3: This context is about the Paradise bliss for those on the Right: "And those on the Right - what of those on the Right? In lush orchards. And sweet-smelling plants. And extended shade. And outpouring water. And abundant fruit. Neither withheld, nor forbidden. And uplifted mattresses. We have created them of special creation. And made them virgins. Tender and un-aging. For those on the Right. A throng from the ancients. And a throng from the latecomers." (56:27-40).

6/4: This context is about Hell torment for those on the Left: "And those on the Left - what of those on the Left? Amid searing wind and boiling water. And a shadow of thick smoke. Neither cool, nor refreshing. They had lived before that in luxury. And they used to persist in immense wrongdoing. And they used to say, “When we are dead and turned into dust and bones, are we to be resurrected? And our ancient ancestors too?” Say, “The first and the last. Will be gathered for the appointment of a familiar Day.” Then you, you misguided, who deny the Truth. Will be eating from the Tree of Bitterness. Will be filling your bellies with it. Will be drinking on top of it boiling water. Drinking like thirsty camels drink. That is their hospitality on the Last Day." (56:41-56).

Secondly: eternity/immortality in Hell:

1- On the Last Day, the Muhammadans, who believed in the myth of the so-called intercession of a deity named as (Muhammad) who would exclusively help them earn eternity in Paradise while non-Muhammadans will earn eternity in Hell, will be sadly surprised by two facts.

1/1: The first one is that the pious monotheists among the People of the Book will enter into Paradise as per the Divine Justice: "God will reward them for what they say - Gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will stay forever. Such is the reward of the righteous." (5:85). This addressed to all human beings: "O children of Adam! When messengers from among you come to you, relating to you My Verses - whoever practices piety and reforms - upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (7:35); "Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Christians, and the Sabians - any who believe in God and the Last Day, and act righteously - will have their reward with their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve." (2:62); "Those who believe, and the Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians - whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does what is right - they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve." (5:69).

1/2: The first one is that disobedient sinning believers who die without acceptable repentance will enter into Hell for eternity; let us exemplify this in the points below.

1/2/1: Those who practice usury instead of charity donations/Zakat (i.e., this is not about moneylending at interest in commerce/trade): "Those who swallow usury will not rise, except as someone driven mad by Satan's touch. That is because they say, “Commerce is like usury.” But God has permitted commerce, and has forbidden usury. Whoever, on receiving advice from his Lord, refrains, may keep his past earnings, and his case rests with God. But whoever resumes - these are the dwellers of the Fire, wherein they will abide forever." (2:275).

1/2/2: Those who, on purpose and not accidentally, murder peaceful believers: "Whoever kills a believer deliberately, the penalty for him is Hell, where he will remain forever. And God will be angry with him, and will curse him, and will prepare for him a terrible torment." (4:93).

1/2/3: Those who consume money/rights of inheritors by violating the Quranic inheritance laws: "But whoever disobeys God and His Messenger, and oversteps His laws, He will admit him into a Fire, wherein he abides forever, and he will have a shameful torment." (4:14).

1/2/4: Those Muhammadans who have rejected and abandoned the Quran in order to adhere to devilish revelations in books of hadiths (e.g., the ones authored by Al-Bokhary, Al-Kulayni, and Al-Ghazaly) will enter into Hell for eternity in case they die without proper, accepted repentance; this context is about the Quran itself: "Thus We narrate to you reports of times gone by; and We have given you a message from Our Presence. Whoever turns away from it will carry on the Day of Resurrection a burden. Abiding therein forever. And wretched is their burden on the Day of Resurrection." (20:99-101).

2- This is a general rule about those who deny the Lord God's Verses in the Divine, Celestial Books: their fate is Hell forever: "But as for those who disbelieve and denounce Our Verses - these are the inmates of the Fire, dwelling therein forever; and what a miserable fate!" (64:10); "But as for those who reject Our Verses, and are too proud to accept them - these are the inmates of the Fire, where they will remain forever." (7:36).

3- Among the Hell dwellers for eternity are hypocrites among the companions of Muhammad in Arabia: "They swear to you by God to please you. But it is more proper for them to please God and His Messenger, if they are believers. Do they not know that whoever opposes God and His Messenger, will have the Fire of Hell, abiding in it forever? That is the supreme disgrace." (9:62-63); "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." (9:68); "They took their oaths as a screen, and barred others from God’s Path. They will have a shameful torment. Neither their possessions nor their children will avail them anything against God. These are the inhabitants of the Fire, dwelling therein forever." (58:16-17).

4- Among the Hell dwellers for eternity are rejecters of Islam who die as disbelievers: "How will God guide a people who disbelieved after having believed, and had witnessed that the Messenger is true, and the clear proofs had come to them? God does not guide the unjust people. Those - their penalty is that upon them falls the curse of God, and of the angels, and of all humankind. Remaining in it eternally, without their torment being eased from them, and without being reprieved. Except those who repent afterwards, and reform; for God is Forgiving and Merciful." (3:86-89); "...Whoever among you turns back from his religion, and dies a disbeliever - those are they whose works will come to nothing, in this life, and in the Hereafter. Those are the inmates of the Fire, abiding in it forever." (2:217); we notice that the so-called death penalty for apostasy is refuted in 2:217 since disbelievers die a natural death and they are not sentenced to death for rejecting faith.

5- Anyway, Hell for eternity is for those who die as disbelievers/sinners without repentance: "But as for those who reject faith, and die rejecting - those - upon them is the curse of God, and of the angels, and of all humanity. They will remain under it forever, and the torment will not be lightened for them, and they will not be reprieved." (2:161-162).

6- The sinners, disbelievers, and unjust ones are immortal inside Hell; they will dwell forever in Hell; they will never get out of it.

6/1: "Then it will be said to those who committed injustices, “Taste the torment of eternity. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?”" (10:52).

6/2: "Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book, and the polytheists, will be in the Fire of Hell, where they will abide forever. These are the worst of creatures." (98:6).

6/3: " It is not for the polytheists to attend God’s mosques while professing their disbelief. These - their works are in vain, and in the Fire they will abide." (9:17).

6/4: "Should you wonder - the real wonder is their saying: “When we have become dust, will we be in a new creation?” Those are they who defied their Lord. Those are they who will have yokes around their necks. Those are the inhabitants of the Fire, where they will remain forever." (13:5).

6/5: This will be said to them: "Enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein forever. Miserable is the residence of the arrogant." (16:29).