Who is doomed to face eternal punishment?
Those who do not believe in God are doomed to be punished in Hell, but the believers, who have committed sins, can escape from eternal punishment.
“Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.”
According to the above verse of the Holy Qur’an, all the sins can be forgiven but disbelief in God. However, if people repent, God will forgive all their sins, even disbelief. If someone dies who is not a believer and has not repented, there is no way he will be forgiven. But for a believer, there still is hope, only if God Wills.
The Qur’an talks about eternality. People who enter Heaven will stay there forever and some others will stay in the Hell for good. This eternality does not make the stay in Hell any easier. That is what has been said in Qur’an; that people in Hell will be chastised forever.
The Qur’an talks about different groups of people who are to be punished in Hell forever:
1. Those who reject Faith- neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah. They will be companions of the Fire, - dwelling therein (for ever).
2. (Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of wrong-doing to their own souls… Allah knoweth all that ye did; "So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein..."
3. They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah. Therefore shall they have a humiliating Penalty… they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for aye)!
4. How shall Allah Guide those who reject Faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that Clear Signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a people unjust. Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah, of His angels, and of all mankind;- In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be (their lot);-
5. But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, - they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).
6. Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, is the Fire of Hell? - Wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme disgrace.
7. …Those are indeed in losses, who have given to perdition their own selves and those belonging to them on the Day of Judgment. Behold! Truly the Wrong-doers are in a lasting Penalty!"
8. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs…
9. Nay, those who seek gain in evil, and are girt round by their sins, - they are companions of the Fire: Therein shall they abide (For ever).
10. If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (For ever): And the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.
11. Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness.
12. But those whose balance (of good deeds) is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.
13. for any that disobey Allah and His Messenger, - for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein forever."
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Death, The Beginning or End of the life! (Part 1)
Death, The Beginning or end of the life! (Part 2)
Death, The Beginning or end of the life! (Part 3)
Death, The Beginning or end of the life! (Part 4)
Death, The Beginning or end of the life! (Part 5)
