Topic: Not Eternal
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وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ
7:37.
Islam does not believe in the eternity of Hell, but regards it as a sort of penitentiary where sinners will be made to live for a limited period for spiritual treatment and cure. See {1351}.
7:37.
Important Words:
خالدون (shall abide). For the meaning of خلود see under 2:26.
Commentary:
Along with the glad tidings given in the preceding verse, a warning is issued in the present verse for such people as might reject God’s guidance. They will fall into a fire and will never enjoy inner happiness and satisfaction of mind, however rich and wealthy they may happen to be. In the next world too, both those who follow the guidance and those who reject it will have the reward and retribution of their deeds.
The last clause of the verse, viz. ھم فیھا خالدون i.e. therein they shall abide, does not mean that they will remain in Hell forever. Islam does not believe in the eternity of Hell, but looks upon it as a sort of hospital where men will be sent for treatment and cure. The God of Islam is most merciful and not vindictive, and does not delight in inflicting punishment on His creatures. On the other hand, His punishment comes only when it becomes absolutely essential and even then, it is intended only for the reformation of His creatures. The punishment, whether of this world or of the next, is not based on the motive of revenge, but both here and hereafter, its underlying purpose is to inflict pain with the ultimate object of healing and curing, so that when this purpose has been fulfilled, it will become unnecessary and will be stopped. Accordingly, Islam teaches that there will come a time when the dwellers of Hell, after having been cured of their spiritual diseases, will leave it for Heaven (see under 11:108, 109). In contrast to this, the reward of Heaven is truly everlasting (11:109).
d
7:37.
47
伊斯兰教并不相信火狱的永久性, 而把它看作一种教养所, 使罪人在那里过一段有限定的时间, 进行精神上的治疗。请参考注释627。
a
7:37.
46
Important Words:
خالدون (shall abide). For the meaning of خلود see under 2:26.
Commentary:
Along with the glad tidings given in the preceding verse, a warning is issued in the present verse for such people as might reject God’s guidance. They will fall into a fire and will never enjoy inner happiness and satisfaction of mind, however rich and wealthy they may happen to be. In the next world too, both those who follow the guidance and those who reject it will have the reward and retribution of their deeds.
The last clause of the verse, viz. ھم فیھا خالدون i.e. therein they shall abide, does not mean that they will remain in Hell forever. Islam does not believe in the eternity of Hell, but looks upon it as a sort of hospital where men will be sent for treatment and cure. The God of Islam is most merciful and not vindictive, and does not delight in inflicting punishment on His creatures. On the other hand, His punishment comes only when it becomes absolutely essential and even then, it is intended only for the reformation of His creatures. The punishment, whether of this world or of the next, is not based on the motive of revenge, but both here and hereafter, its underlying purpose is to inflict pain with the ultimate object of healing and curing, so that when this purpose has been fulfilled, it will become unnecessary and will be stopped. Accordingly, Islam teaches that there will come a time when the dwellers of Hell, after having been cured of their spiritual diseases, will leave it for Heaven (see under 11:108, 109). In contrast to this, the reward of Heaven is truly everlasting (11:109).
d
7:37.
74
Islam does not believe in the eternity of Hell, but regards it as a sort of penitentiary where sinners will be made to live for a limited period for spiritual treatment and cure. See {1351}.
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
21:101.
21:101.
Zafir means, the beginning of the cry of an ass and Shahiq is the ending thereof (Lane). The disbelievers have been likened in the verse to an ass which is a timid and stupid animal, signifying that they have not the courage of their convictions and do not benefit by knowledge.
21:101.
Important Words:
زفیر (sighing) is the noun-infinitive from زفر which means, he drew in his breath vehemently, so that his ribs became pushed out; or he drew in his breath to the utmost by reason of distress; or he sent forth his breath with a prolonged sound; he sighed or uttered a long sigh or sighed vehemently; or he groaned; or he breathed, raising his voice like one moaning or in grief. They say زفرت النار i.e. the fire made a sound by its burning or its fierce burning. زفر الحمار means, the ass brayed. زفیر means, the sound of drawing in of breath by reason of distress; sighing; beginning of the cry of an ass; the sound of burning fire (Lane & Aqrab).
شھیق (sobbing) is derived from شھق which means, it rose high or became high or elevated or lofty; or he (an ass) uttered the ending of his braying or the final sounds thereof. They say شھق الرجل i.e. the sound of weeping became reiterated in his chest. شھق الحمار means, the ass uttered the ending of his braying or the final sound thereof; the ass brayed. شھیق signifies, the ending or final part of the crying or braying of an ass, whereas زفیر signifies the beginning thereof. شھیق also signifies a high-sounding moaning; a cry of distress (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
By using about disbelievers the words زفیر and شھیق which are particularly used for the braying of an ass, the verse compares them to this timid and stupid animal. A big load of books carried on the back of an ass, says the Quran (62:6), does not make him learned. So do those who are indifferent to truth remain destitute of true knowledge and spirituality even if they are crammed with book lore. Similarly, like an ass which, according to the Quran, is a timid animal (74:51, 52), disbelievers have not the courage of their conviction. They fail to accept the truth either because they refuse to derive any benefit from God-given knowledge or because they have not the courage to accept what they believe to be the truth. The words زفیر and شھیق also signify sighing and moaning by reason of distress.
b
21:101.
a
21:101.
1487
Important Words:
زفیر (sighing) is the noun-infinitive from زفر which means, he drew in his breath vehemently, so that his ribs became pushed out; or he drew in his breath to the utmost by reason of distress; or he sent forth his breath with a prolonged sound; he sighed or uttered a long sigh or sighed vehemently; or he groaned; or he breathed, raising his voice like one moaning or in grief. They say زفرت النار i.e. the fire made a sound by its burning or its fierce burning. زفر الحمار means, the ass brayed. زفیر means, the sound of drawing in of breath by reason of distress; sighing; beginning of the cry of an ass; the sound of burning fire (Lane & Aqrab).
شھیق (sobbing) is derived from شھق which means, it rose high or became high or elevated or lofty; or he (an ass) uttered the ending of his braying or the final sounds thereof. They say شھق الرجل i.e. the sound of weeping became reiterated in his chest. شھق الحمار means, the ass uttered the ending of his braying or the final sound thereof; the ass brayed. شھیق signifies, the ending or final part of the crying or braying of an ass, whereas زفیر signifies the beginning thereof. شھیق also signifies a high-sounding moaning; a cry of distress (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
By using about disbelievers the words زفیر and شھیق which are particularly used for the braying of an ass, the verse compares them to this timid and stupid animal. A big load of books carried on the back of an ass, says the Quran (62:6), does not make him learned. So do those who are indifferent to truth remain destitute of true knowledge and spirituality even if they are crammed with book lore. Similarly, like an ass which, according to the Quran, is a timid animal (74:51, 52), disbelievers have not the courage of their conviction. They fail to accept the truth either because they refuse to derive any benefit from God-given knowledge or because they have not the courage to accept what they believe to be the truth. The words زفیر and شھیق also signify sighing and moaning by reason of distress.
b
21:101.
1349
Zafir means, the beginning of the cry of an ass and Shahiq is the ending thereof (Lane). The disbelievers have been likened in the verse to an ass which is a timid and stupid animal, signifying that they have not the courage of their convictions and do not benefit by knowledge.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ
قرآن مجید میں دو لفظ ہیں اَلْمَوَازِیْن اور اَلْقِسْط چونکہ قِسْط بھی اَلْمَوَازِیْن کا ہم معنی ہے اور ترکیب میں اس کا بدل ہے اس لئے ہم نے دونوں لفظوں کے ایک معنے کر دئے ہیں۔
4:41; 18:50.
The verse makes it clear that Hell is not everlasting. If even the slightest good work done by a man is to be rewarded, then a time must come when punishment should come to an end and the reward of good works should begin. Contrary to the teachings of other religions the Qur’an teaches that it is Heaven and not Hell that is everlasting. See also {1351}.
4:41; 18:50.
Important Words:
خردل means, grain of mustard seed. خردل الطعام (khardala) means, he ate the best part of the food. خردل اللحم means, he cut the meat into small pieces (Aqrab).
Commentary:
Besides being a continuation of the subject dealt with in the preceding verses the present verse makes it clear that Hell is not everlasting. If even the slightest good work done by a man is to be rewarded, as the verse says, then a time must come when the punishment of his evil deeds should come to an end and the reward of his good works should begin. Contrary to the teachings of other religions the Quran teaches us that it is the Heaven and not Hell that is everlasting. The Islamic conception of Heaven and Hell is evidently more in keeping with reason and common sense. See also (11:109).
a
4:41; 18:50.
840
这节经文清楚地表明, 火狱不是永久的。即使人做了极细微的一点善行也必得到果报; 惩罚应予结束而对善行的报答应予开始的时刻, 必然到来。与其他各种宗教的教义相反, «古兰经»教导说, 永恒存在的是天园而不是火狱。
2
قرآن مجید میں دو لفظ ہیں اَلْمَوَازِیْن اور اَلْقِسْط چونکہ قِسْط بھی اَلْمَوَازِیْن کا ہم معنی ہے اور ترکیب میں اس کا بدل ہے اس لئے ہم نے دونوں لفظوں کے ایک معنے کر دئے ہیں۔
b
4:41; 18:50.
2388
Important Words:
خردل means, grain of mustard seed. خردل الطعام (khardala) means, he ate the best part of the food. خردل اللحم means, he cut the meat into small pieces (Aqrab).
Commentary:
Besides being a continuation of the subject dealt with in the preceding verses the present verse makes it clear that Hell is not everlasting. If even the slightest good work done by a man is to be rewarded, as the verse says, then a time must come when the punishment of his evil deeds should come to an end and the reward of his good works should begin. Contrary to the teachings of other religions the Quran teaches us that it is the Heaven and not Hell that is everlasting. The Islamic conception of Heaven and Hell is evidently more in keeping with reason and common sense. See also (11:109).
a
4:41; 18:50.
1893
The verse makes it clear that Hell is not everlasting. If even the slightest good work done by a man is to be rewarded, then a time must come when punishment should come to an end and the reward of good works should begin. Contrary to the teachings of other religions the Qur’an teaches that it is Heaven and not Hell that is everlasting. See also {1351}.
لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا
11:108.
11:108.
11:108.
Important Words:
أحقاب (Ages) is the plural of حقب which means, time; long time; a year or years; seventy years; eighty years or more (Lane & Mufradat).
Commentary:
To continue the metaphor, the verse may refer to the long centuries when Islam was in ascendance and its enemies continued to burn in the fire of malice and envy at the uninterrupted progress and prosperity of Muslims.
As referring to the punishment of Hell, the verse signifies that though its duration will be very, very long yet it will not be eternal, the word أحقابا as shown under Important Words signifying a limited period of time, however, long.
h
11:108.
a
11:108.
4539
Important Words:
أحقاب (Ages) is the plural of حقب which means, time; long time; a year or years; seventy years; eighty years or more (Lane & Mufradat).
Commentary:
To continue the metaphor, the verse may refer to the long centuries when Islam was in ascendance and its enemies continued to burn in the fire of malice and envy at the uninterrupted progress and prosperity of Muslims.
As referring to the punishment of Hell, the verse signifies that though its duration will be very, very long yet it will not be eternal, the word أحقابا as shown under Important Words signifying a limited period of time, however, long.
a
11:108.