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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forEternity of Punishment
. The Muhammadan religion teaches that all Muslims (ie those who have embraced the religion of their Prophet) will be ultimately saved, although they will suffer for their actual sins in a purgatorial hell. But those who have not embraced Islam will suffer a never-ending torment in "the fire" (an-nar). Surah ii 37: "Those who misbelieve and call our signs lies, they are the fellows of hell, they shall dwell therein for ever." (khalidun). Surah xi 108, 109: "And as for those who are wretched - why in the fire shall they groan and sob! To dwell therein for ever (khalidun) as long as the heavens and the earth endure." Al-Baizawi says the expression "as long as the heavens and the earth endure", is an Arabic idiom expressing that which is eternal.Ibn ‘Arabi (died A.D. 638), in his book Fususu ‘l-Hikam, says the word khalid in the verses quoted above does not imply eternal duration, but a period, or age, of long duration. Al-Baizawi, the commentator, also admits that the literal meaning of the word only expresses a period of extended duration, but the Jalalan and Husain both contend that its meaning is that of abadi, or "never ending," in which no being will be annihilated, and which no one can ever escape. It is also to be observed that this word khalid is that used for the eternity of bliss of those in Paradise: - Surah xi 110: "As for those who are glad - why in Paradise! To dwell therein forever." (khalidun) citations: Dictionary of Islam, Hughes
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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