Assessment of the “Punishment Cessation” Theory in Dr. Sadeqi Tehrani’s View

The renowned thinkers among the Muslims have accepted the idea of the Hell-fire punishment and some have viewed it as subject to consensus. Among them, however, some thinkers like Ibn Arabi, Ibn Taymiya, Ibn Qayyim Jawziya, Rashid Reza, and Dr. Sadeqi Tehrani have opted for the theory of the cessation of Hell-fire punishment. Yet from among them, Dr. Sadeqi Tehrani has made a special attempt in examining this theory; while criticizing the theory of the eternality of Hell-fire punishment, he has widely studied various aspects of the theory of punishment cessation in his interpretation and theological discourses. The present writing has undertaken to organize and evaluate his viewpoint. Through this research, it is clarified that in Dr. Sadeqi Tehrani’s belief the word khulūd, not only in its lexicological meaning but also in the Qur’anic verses is interpreted as “lengthy duration” rather than “eternity” and what is implied from the Qur’anic verses by eternity is “eternity in the fire” rather than “eternity of fire”. However, this theory, having been borrowed from earlier scholars such as Ibn Taymiya, Ibn Qayyim Jawziya, Rashid Reza, et all, sounds to be unacceptable and is not only lacking in valid rational reasons, but also incompatible with the Qur’anic culture.