Fifth: It is firmly established that Paradise will be entered by those whom Allah will create in the Hereafter especially for it, (1) by those who first pass through the Fire, (2) and by children who are admitted on account of their parents’ deeds. (3) Thus, some who never performed a single good deed will nevertheless enter Paradise. As for Hell, no one is punished therein for another person’s sins, so the two cannot be equated.

Sixth: Paradise proceeds from His mercy and forgiveness, whereas Hell springs from His punishment. He says,

“Inform My servants that I am indeed the All-Forgiving, the Mercy-Giving, and that My punishment is a truly painful punishment” (4);

and He says,

“Know that Allah is severe in retribution, yet Allah is All-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful” (5);

and He says,

“Your Lord is swift in retribution, and indeed He is All-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.” (6)

Bliss, then, flows from the implications of His names—names that are inseparable from His very essence—so its continuance is assured for as long as the meanings of His names and attributes endure. Punishment, on the other hand, is one of His created entities, and every created thing may come to an end, just as this world and others will cease—especially a creature whose existence is contingent upon something else.