Why the Hellfire Is Eternal: A Lesson from the Children of Israel (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:75–82)

 Children of Israel altering the words of Allah|Hiding the description of the prophet in public 

“Claiming the Fire will not touch them except for a few days”Surah Al-Baqarah (2:75–82)

Introduction

One of the questions often asked is: Why does the Qur'an speak of eternal punishment in Hell? The answer is not found except in the verses of Quran, but in the broader context of the Qur'an. One such passage is Surah Al-Baqarah (2:75–82), where Allah describes the actions of certain people among the Children of Israel and then explains who deserves eternal punishment.

1. Deliberately Altering the Words of Allah

Allah says:

"A party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort it after they had understood it while they were knowing."

According to the tafsīr of Ibn Kathīr, Al-Ṭabarī, and Al-Qurṭubī, this refers to people who knowingly changed or misrepresented Allah's revelation after understanding it. Their actions were deliberate rather than accidental.

This demonstrates that their rejection of the truth came after knowledge, not because of ignorance.

2. Concealing the Truth About the Final Prophet

Allah continues:

"When they meet those who believe, they say, 'We believe'; but when they are alone with one another, they say, 'Do you tell them what Allah has revealed to you so they may argue with you before your Lord?'"

Classical commentators explain that some among them recognized the signs and description of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in their scripture but discouraged one another from admitting this publicly. Instead of accepting the truth they knew, they concealed it.

This was not simply disbelief—it was knowingly hiding guidance from others.

3. Fabricating Religious Teachings

Allah then declares:

"So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands and then say, 'This is from Allah,' in order to exchange it for a small price."

The Qur'an gives one of its strongest warnings against falsely attributing statements to Allah. Such actions corrupt religion, mislead people, and replace divine guidance with human inventions for worldly benefit.

4. False Confidence in Salvation

Allah says:

"And they say, 'The Fire will never touch us except for a few days.'"

Allah challenges this claim:

"Have you taken a covenant with Allah? For Allah never breaks His covenant. Or do you say about Allah what you do not know?"

Their confidence was based neither on revelation nor on a covenant from Allah, but on assumptions and false beliefs.

5. The Principle Behind Eternal Hellfire

Immediately after describing these actions, Allah states:

"Yes, whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him—those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."

The phrase "his sin has encompassed him" was understood by many classical scholars to refer to one whose disbelief and rebellion completely surround him until death. It is not describing a believer who sins and repents, but someone who knowingly persists in rejecting Allah's guidance without repentance.

Allah then contrasts them with the believers:

"But those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally."

Classical Understanding

The classical tafsīr works of Ibn Kathīr, Al-Ṭabarī, and Al-Qurṭubī explain that these verses describe people who:

• Knowingly altered Allah's revelation.

• Concealed the truth they recognized.

• Attributed false teachings to Allah.

• Sought worldly gain through religion.

• Claimed salvation without evidence.

• Persisted in disbelief until death.

Because their rejection was deliberate and continuous, Allah describes them as deserving eternal punishment.

Conclusion

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:75–82) teaches that eternal Hell is not for ordinary human mistakes or sins followed by repentance. Rather, it is for those who knowingly reject Allah's guidance, corrupt His revelation, deceive others in matters of faith, and die in that state.

At the same time, the passage ends with hope and justice:

"But those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally."

Allah's judgment is based on perfect knowledge and perfect justice. He knows what people conceal and what they reveal, and no one is wronged in the least.

This article reflects the mainstream understanding found in the classical tafsīr of Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, and Al-Qurtubi regarding these verses.

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