Jannah and Jahannam are Everlasting

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-Ahl as-Sunnah believe that both Jannah and Jahannam are eternal and will not cease to exist:

“they are dwellers of the Fire (i.e. Hell); they will dwell therein forever.” [al-Baqarah 2:81]

And about Jannah:

“they are dwellers of Paradise, they will dwell therein forever.” [al-Baqarah 2:82]

-The Jahmees and the Mu’tazilah believe that heaven and hell will cease to exist. In fact, everything from the creation will perish one day, even the ‘Ursh of ar-Rahmaan.

They argue that Allaah is the eternal and the absolute whereas the creation isn’t.

“He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him)”  [al-Hadeed 57:3]

And,

“They will abide therein for ages,” [an-Naba’ 78:23]

Meaning, the time is limited as the word “ages” (أحقابا) shows that time is limited.

And,

“…abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure” [Hood 11:106-108]

Enduring (مَا دَامَتِ) is also limited.

-They also argue that sometimes the word eternal (أبد) comes in the context of the people of the hell-fire and not for the people going to heaven (cf 98:6-8), thus there being a discrepancy.

-They also argue that it is from the justice of Allaah, the Most High, that He Punishes only for the amount of sin that has been committed. How can He Punish for eternity when we only lived for a limited period of time in the Dunyaa?

Response:

-Allaah is al-Awwal and al-Aakhir, but they have not understood its meaning.

Al-Awwaal is that He was when nothing was. It can also mean that He is the Originator.

Al-Aakhir means everything will perish except Him. Allaah will remain whereas the creation will die and then be resurrected, thus having a life and a death.

-As for  the Ayaat which talk about limiting time, then these are from the rhetoric found in the Quraan. However, again, they are guilty of leaving what is clear (Muhkam) and innumerable (Mutwaatir) and have acted upon what is supposed (Mutashaabih).

Also in tackling this point, the scholar have principles when trying to understand the texts of the Sharee’ah. They state all the texts must be brought and understood together, not singling out some Ayaat or Hadeeth whilst rejecting others. This is falls under the category of texts which are Aam (general) and Khaas (specified).

So we have general Ayaat which appear to specific time however the specific Ayaat are those which talk about heaven and hell being eternal.

-The analogy between this life and the hereafter is not correct. Just because they may have sinned for a limited period of time in the Dunyaa, it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve eternal punishment. Allaah Knows Best the intention of the people of the hell-fire, had they stayed for a longer period in the Dunyaa, they would have continued to disobey Him:

“Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment” [al-Baqarah 2:96]

And,

“"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected.” [al-Mu’minoon 23:100]

TN: perhaps it can also be said that those who worship other than Allaah for the period of their life, relegate themselves to that of the station of being inanimate. Human Fitrah is worship Allaah Alone and it is only those who practice Shirk who will abide in hell for eternity. So they are punished like their objects of worship, both inanimate objects destined to the fire.

“Certainly! You (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely), you will enter it.” [an-Anbiyaa’ 23:98]

And Allaah Knows Best.

(Based on both of these reasons) those who practice Shirk have committed a sin which is greater than gaining the Mercy and Pardon of Allaah, thus they can never be brought out of the fire.

Gaining the Mercy and Pardon of Allaah has conditions and Allaah is the Most Just. Just because He Punishes for eternity doesn’t mean He is not Merciful and or ceases to be Merciful, rather His Mercy doesn’t extend to those who die upon Shirk:

“And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.” [al-Ahzaab 33:43]

End of Rudd ‘ala al-Jahmiyyah of Imaam Ahmad [may Allaah have Mercy on him] with the explanation of our  Shaykh, Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shathree [may Allaah Preserve him].

And Allaah Praises are for Allaah, who Facilitates the completion of righteous deeds. 

May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon His Prophet, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in goodness until the Last Day.