Debate of Hesham with Nazzam

Although it is clear in the Qur'an and it is also found in most of the Qur'anic verses and traditions from the household of the Prophet [s] that dwellers in the Paradise and the Hell will remain there forever. Words like "Khaledoon", "Khaledeen and Mokhallad" (all meaning eternity) and other derivations of this term which have been used in the Qur'an and clearly give the same meaning. Nazzam was opposed to the idea of the eternity of Heaven and Hell.

That is he was of the opinion that the pious men and the dwellers of Paradise and the evil doers of Hell will not remain there forever.

One day, Nazzam happened to meet Hesham at a meeting and discussed with him about this matter, the details of which are as follows:

Nazzam - If the dwellers of Paradise will live eternally in the Paradise, then in this way, they will have life and eternity like God and they will also remain until God exists. Such a thing is impossible.

Hesham - The eternal stay of the dwellers of the Paradise originates from God and by His order. It is He who bestows this eternal life to them. This is different from the Eternity of the Creator, because God is self-existing and His existence is self-characteristic, but the existence of the dwellers of Paradise is due to Him.

Nazzam - He repeated his first question and insisted that the eternity of the heavenly people and the matter of Kholood (eternity) is impossible.

So for Hesham there was no way but to set forth so many questions. Hesham asked him - So what will be their ultimate fate? Nazzam - Suddenly everyone in Paradise will feel some kind of sudden faintness and unconsciousness.

Hesham - You have not read the Qur'an or else you have read it but have not understood where it points out: "Whatever a man will wish for in the Paradise, will be given to him." Therefore, if the heavenly people would request eternal life, do you think that the Almighty God would not fulfil His promise and He would not accept their demands?

Nazzam - God will not allow him to think of such thing, and this type of thought will not occur to them and as a result they will not ask for such a thing.

Hesham - If a heavenly body sees fruits on a tree and stretches his hand out to pick it and at the same time the fruit of another tree attracts him and he also stretches his other hand to grasp that. And suddenly while both his hands are stretched in between the branches of the trees, as you say, the unconsciousness will overcome them and their hands will become senseless and in that condition they will be left hanging between two trees.

It seems that the heavenly people have been left hanging! Therefore, so much for your belief that unconsciousness will suddenly overcome them and this type of situation will follow the heavenly people forever!!!.

Nazzam - It is impossible! It is impossible! That such a thing will happen. Hesham - O' Nazzam, your idea is wrong and your false belief is more absurd. Do you think that a group of persons, who have been created and assigned to live for sometime in Paradise on the basis of their goodness, will be destroyed? It is a matter of fallacious thinking and ignorance and I wonder about you. You are so ignorant!!

Adopted from the book: "Hesham Ibn Hakam" by: "Mr. Reza Atai"