Question
Reference number: 509871 | Islamic Creed | Dec. 6, 2022
Does the Muslim stay in Hell forever if they enter it in the Afterlife?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Entering the Hell in the Afterlife is by Allah’s will and depending on His Justice. However, the period of remaining there depends on the sins that one has committed during their life. Later, whosoever has faith in his heart equal to the weight of a grain will be taken out from Fire. In this regard, Abu Saied Al-Khudri narrated that Prophet Muhammad had said: “When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise and the people of Hell will go to Hell, Allah will order those who have had faith equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed to be taken out from Hell.” (Related by Bukhari).
Therefore, the group who remains in Hell forever are those who insisted on polytheism. Allah says: “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives, except that, anything else to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” (An-Nisa’: 48).