He was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ so that the Prophet might lead the funeral prayer for him. Yet the Prophet did not do so; instead he said, “Pray over him,” and they offered the prayer at his command. This proves that the man was not a disbeliever and therefore does not merit unending punishment. The statement in the hadith that speaks of “abiding therein forever,” even though it is authentically attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, is meant as a stern warning and a strong deterrent against this act; it does not mean that the person is an unbeliever.