In this research, we have tried to clarify this matter among the Imamis, as this issue is not new, but rather appeared since the time of the Khawarij, and was one of the reasons for the emergence of the Mu'tazila school of thought. The word eternity is used either to mean permanence or to mean length of stay. Muslim scholars have stated that the infidel and polytheist will remain in Hell forever, and there was disagreement among them about the eternity of others. The Imamis said that others will not remain in Hell forever.
By reviewing the Holy Quran, we see that it mentions many titles that contain a threat of eternal damnation in Hellfire, including the hypocrite, the liar, the arrogant, and the one who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits.
From here, it is necessary to clarify what is meant, and that they all go back to the titles of the infidel and the polytheist. Whoever swears falsely is a hypocrite. Whoever is arrogant about monotheism, whoever takes the side of the disbelievers - who are the people of Quraysh or the Jews and Christians - and whoever takes the side of a people with whom Allah is angry, they are the hypocrites.
The narrations in this regard have shown that the infidels and polytheists are the ones who will remain in Hell forever, while others will not remain in it forever. This has been applied to the enemies of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) and the killers of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).
It cannot be said that there is no correspondence between the belief in eternal damnation in Hellfire and divine justice, because eternal damnation in Hellfire is not a natural punishment, but rather the result of one's actions in this worldly life. The torment in the afterlife is an embodiment of the work that a person has done in this world.
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