❖ Introduction
By: Muhammad Nadeem Zaheer Baloch
In Surah An-Nisa, verse 14, Allah Almighty states that whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and transgresses His prescribed limits will be cast into the Fire, where he will remain "خَالِدًا فِیهَا" — i.e., forever.
Some individuals raise a doubt based on this verse: Can a Muslim — even if a believer in Tawhid — remain in Hell forever if he commits major sins?
In this article, we shall answer this doubt using references from the Qur'an, Hadith, linguistic research, and the explanations of classical scholars.
❖ The Real Meaning of the Verse and Its Application to Disbelievers
Arabic Text of the Verse:
وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
(An-Nisa: 14)
Translation:
And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to a Fire wherein he will remain forever, and for him is a humiliating punishment.
Explanation:
Classical commentators such as Imam al-Tabari, Imam al-Qurtubi, and Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمهم الله) have clarified that this threat is specifically directed at those who take their disobedience to the level of disbelief. For example, one who denies the obligation of Salah or rejects the rules of inheritance — such actions constitute disbelief, and such a person will remain in Hell forever.
❖ Linguistic Meaning of "Khulood" and Its Implication for Believers
Arabic Definition:
الخُلُودُ: البقاء فيها
(Al-‘Ayn, vol. 4, p. 231)
Translation:
Khulood means the continued existence of something.
Another Arabic Explanation:
«كل ما يتباطا عنهُ التغيُّر و الفساد، تصفهُ العرب بالخُلُود كقولهم للايام خَوَالد و ذلك لطول مكثها لا للدوام»
(Aqrab al-Mawarid, vol. 2, p. 86)
Translation:
Anything that does not quickly perish or decay, Arabs describe it as "Khulood". For instance, they call days “Khawalid” due to their prolonged duration — not because they are eternal.
Explanation:
In the Arabic language, the term "Khulood" does not necessarily imply eternity. It can also refer to a long but limited stay. Hence, even if this verse is applied to sinning believers, it would mean a long duration in Hell, not eternal damnation.
❖ Clarification from the Qur'an
Arabic Text:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ
(An-Nisa: 48)
Translation:
Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives whatever is less than that for whom He wills.
Explanation:
This verse clearly indicates that all sins besides Shirk and Kufr are within Allah’s discretion. He may forgive a believer without punishment, or punish and then eventually release him from Hell. Therefore, it is only disbelief and polytheism that guarantee eternal punishment in the Fire.
❖ Two Types of "Khulood" (Eternality)
Arabic Text:
فَإِنَّ الْخُلُودَ خُلُودَانِ:
خُلُودٌ دَائِمٌ أَبَدًا لَا يَنْتَهِي، وَهَذَا هُوَ خُلُودُ الْكُفَّارِ فِي النَّارِ
خُلُودٌ طَوِيلٌ مُؤَقَّتٌ يَنْتَهِي، وَهَذَا هُوَ خُلُودُ الْعُصَاةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِيمَانِ فِي النَّارِ
Translation:
There are two types of Khulood (eternality):
① Permanent, unending eternality, and this is the eternality of the disbelievers in Hell.
② Temporary but prolonged stay, which will eventually come to an end — this is the eternality of sinful believers in Hell.
Explanation:
According to scholars of language and Tafsir, these two levels of Khulood highlight the difference between the final destinations of the believer and the disbeliever.
The disbeliever will remain in Hell forever, while the sinful believer will be removed from Hell after receiving punishment and eventually admitted into Paradise.
❖ Conclusion
From the above analysis, it becomes abundantly clear that the words "خَالِدًا فِیهَا" in the verse do not imply that a believing Muslim will remain eternally in Hell. This warning applies only to disbelievers.
Even if a Muslim falls into major sins and is punished in Hell, it will only be for a limited but lengthy period, after which he will be admitted to Paradise.
This is the unanimous belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah:
Every believer — even if sinful — will eventually enter Paradise.
