If they are to abide therein forever, then it necessarily follows that it too must be everlasting. For His saying, “therein,” means that they are within it. If a person’s abiding is everlasting, then the place in which he abides must also be everlasting; for if the place of abiding were to perish, everlasting abiding could not be affirmed.

Arguments that contradict the textual evidence are rejected against those who advance them. This view, reported from a small group of scholars, is a discarded view, because it contradicts the explicit text which every believer must affirm. Whoever opposes it because of a misconception that has arisen in his mind may be excused before Allah; yet whoever reflects upon the texts of the Quran and the sunnah will know that it is everlasting. Wisdom also entails this, for this disbeliever spent his lifetime opposing and disobeying Allah, Exalted is He, disbelieving in Him, and denying His Messengers—despite having received a warner, having been left without excuse, having had the truth made clear to him, having been called to it, and having been fought over it. Yet he persisted in disbelief and falsehood. So how can we say that his punishment is not everlasting? The verses on this matter are explicit.

The third question: Is its punishment real and painful, or will its inhabitants be in it like stones, feeling no pain?

The answer is that its punishment is real and painful. Whoever says otherwise has erred and gone far astray. They will be punished and will suffer immense, severe pain, as Allah Most High says in several verses: “For them is a painful punishment.” [Al-Baqarah 2:10] They will even wish for death. Can someone who wishes for death be said to be suffering, or to have adapted?

The answer: Had he adapted, he would not suffer, nor would he call upon Allah to put an end to him. Allah Most High says: “And they will call out, ‘O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!’ He will say, ‘Indeed, We…’”