Rather, temporal events as a class remain and continue perpetually into the future, as established in the Book (1), the Sunnah, and the agreement of the Ummah’s Salaf and its majority (2). Allah Most High says:

“Its fruit and shade are everlasting.”

[Surah al-Rad: 35]

What is meant is the perpetuity of its kind (3), not the perpetuity of each individual item.

Allah Most High says:

“For them therein is enduring bliss.”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 21]

It is the kind of bliss that endures. He also says:

“Indeed, this is Our provision, which will never be exhausted.”

[Surah Sad: 54]

What is meant is that its kind is never exhausted, even though each individual portion of it is exhausted—that is, it comes to an end and passes away (4).

Furthermore, that would entail temporal events coming into being without a cause, which is plainly impossible according to reason. This argument is the foundation of the speculative theology that the Salaf condemned and faulted, for they deemed it false: it neither establishes truth nor refutes falsehood. [This has already been discussed in connection with the question of temporal origination] (5).

The full clarification (6) of this is to say, regarding the fifth aspect (7): People are required to believe in Allah and His Messenger, affirming the truth of what he has reported and obeying what he has commanded. This is the foundation and sum of all felicity.