Question
I have heard a lot of people saying that if someone dies as a Muslim and he used to believe in Allah from the core of his heart and also believe in Hazrat Muhammad (sws) but has done a lot of bad deeds (more than his good deeds) then he will be given the punishment for his bad deeds for some time and then he will be sent to heaven for ever after. However, I used to strongly disagree and say that if someone goes to Hell, then he stays there forever and if he goes to heaven then he stays there forever. And what you are saying is exactly what the Christians used to say. But I would like to know the opinion of Mr. Ghamdi on this and if I’m wrong please explain this to me and if I’m right please tell me how to explain this to others. Thank You.
Answer
Given below is a translation of an excerpt from Ghamidi’s book Mizan from the chapter “Imaniyat“. Hopefully it will answer your question:
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي النَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاء رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ (11: 106-107)
Then the damned shall be cast into the Fire; here they will groan and scream like donkeys and shall abide in it as long as the heavens and the earth [of that world] exist unless your Lord ordains otherwise. Indeed, your Lord is able to accomplish what He wants to. (11:106-107)
Answered by: Dr. Shehzad Saleem
Date: 2015-03-03