Comparative Shiʿi Theology

The Direct Relationship between God's Mercy and Eternal Punishment from the Perspective of Allameh Tabataba'i in Tafsir Al-Mizan In Light of Ibn Arabi and Ibn Qayyim's Doubts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

yaser takfallah 1
hossen modheg 2

1 , Department of Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Islamic Law, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Student of Fiqh and Fundamentals of Islamic Law/Theology Faculty of Allameh Tabataba'i University/Tehran/Iran/Level 3

https://doi.org/10.22054/jcst.2024.80837.1174
Abstract
The issue of eternal punishment in hell is among those topics that have sparked significant debate among Shiite and Sunni philosophers and theologians. Although some Qur'anic verses explicitly indicate eternal punishment, figures such as Ibn Arabi consider eternal punishment impossible. Some scholars, like Mulla Sadra, acknowledge its possibility but doubt its occurrence, while others, like Allameh Tabataba'i, accept both the possibility and occurrence of eternal punishment. The main challenge underlying these differing views, which even impacts the interpretation of some of God's names and attributes, is the perceived contradiction between eternal punishment and God's mercy. The argument is that God's encompassing mercy includes all creatures, preventing them from remaining in hell and being punished forever. How, then, can one assert that eternal punishment directly relates to God's vast mercy? This research, conducted using descriptive and analytical methods and referencing written sources, arrives at the following conclusions: Eternal punishment in hell is explicitly stated in the Qur'an and cannot be interpreted otherwise. Eternal punishment does not contradict God's all-encompassing mercy but is, in fact, a necessity and manifestation of it. God bestows upon individuals what they are predisposed to and need for their ultimate misfortune, which is the realization of their wickedness to its fullest extent and its transformation into a permanent state. If the effect of such a state is eternal punishment, it does not contradict God's general mercy but is itself a manifestation of His mercy, a necessity and a consequence of it.

Keywords

Eternal punishment
eternity
eternity in punishment
eternity in hell
Allameh Tabataba'i
Ibn Arabi
Ibn Qayyim
References
The Holy Quran
Azhari, Muhammad ibn Ahmad. (2005). Tahzib al-Lughah by al-Azhari. 17 vols. Cairo, Egypt: Al-Dar Al-Masriyya for Authorship and Translation. [In Arabic]
Himyari, Nashwan ibn Saeed, Umari, Hussein, Aryani, Mutahhar ibn Ali, and Abdullah, Yusuf Muhammad. (1999). Shams al-Ulum wa Dawa Kalam al-Arab min al-Kuloom. 12 vols. Damascus, Syria: Dar al-Fikr,. [In Arabic]
Ibn Arabi, Muhammad ibn Ali, Movahed, Samad, and Movahed, Mohammad Ali. (2007). Fusus al-Hikam. 1 vol. Tehran, Iran: Karnameh. [In Persian]
Khalil ibn Ahmad, Al-Asfoor, Mohsen, Makhzoumi, Mahdi, and Samarai, Ibrahim. (1988–1989). Al-Ain. 9 vols. Qom, Iran: Mu'assasat Dar al-Hijra. [In Persian]
Kufi, Furat ibn Ibrahim, and Kazim, Muhammad. (1990). Tafsir Furat al-Kufi. 1 vol. Tehran, Iran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Institute of Printing and Publishing. [In Persian]
Mazandarani, Muhammad Saleh ibn Ahmad, Ghafari, Ali Akbar, Sha'rani, Abolhasan, and Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub. (1955–2003). Al-Kafi. 12 vols. Tehran, Iran: Al-Maktaba al-Islamiya for Publishing and Distribution,. [In Persian]
Morteza Zubaidi, Muhammad ibn Muhammad. Taj al-Arus min Jawahir al-Qamus. 10 vols. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Maktaba al-Hayat, 1888. [In Arabic]
Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Taqi. (1983). Bihar al-Anwar. 111 vols. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Muhaddith, Jalaluddin, and Barqi, Ahmad ibn Muhammad. (nd). Al-Mahasin. 2 vols. Qom, Iran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiya. [In Persian]
Motahhari, Morteza. (1997). Majmoo'e Athar Ustad Shahid Motahhari. 34 vols. Tehran, Iran: Sadra. [In Persian]
Raghib Isfahani, Hussein ibn Muhammad, and Dawoodi, Safwan Adnan. (1992). Mufradat Alfaz al-Quran. 1 vol. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Shamiya. [In Arabic]
Rasouli, Hashem, and Ayashi, Muhammad ibn Masoud. (2001). Tafsir al-Ayyashi. 2 vols. Tehran, Iran: Maktaba al-Ilmiyya al-Islamiya. [In Persian]
Tabatabaei, Muhammad Hussein. (1973). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran. 1 vol. Beirut, Lebanon: Matba'a al-Tijariya. [In Arabic]
Tabatabaei, Muhammad Hussein, and Mousavi, Mohammad Baqir. (1999). Tafsir al-Mizan (Translation). 20 vols. No place: Jame'a Modarresin Howza Ilmiya Qom. Office of Islamic Publications. [In Persian]
Turaehi, Fakhruddin ibn Muhammad, and Hosseini Ashkouri, Ahmad. (1996). Majma' al-Bahrain. 6 vols. Tehran, Iran: Maktaba al-Murtazawiya. [In Persian]
Comparative Shiʿi Theology
Volume 5, Issue 8
March 2024
Pages 173-200

Home

Guide for Authors

Editorial Boards

Submit Manuscript

Contact Us