Does the noble verse "as long as the heavens and the earth endure" mean that the heavens and the earth will remain forever or will they perish, and does their perishing mean that the inhabitants of Hellfire and Paradise will not abide therein eternally?

First: The Sunnis unanimously agree that the definitive, clear texts indicate the eternal perpetuity of disbelievers in Hellfire and the eternal perpetuity of believers in Paradise, and that Paradise and Hellfire will never perish.

Second: Ambiguous texts must be referred back to the clear texts, and this is an established rule among scholars.

Third: Commentators have differed in interpreting Allah’s saying: (Remaining therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure). Some have gone to the extent of saying that the intention is to express perpetuity, because this style was customary among Arabs. Others have gone to the extent of saying that what is meant are the heavens and earth of the Hereafter, which are eternally created.

Fourth: Commentators have differed concerning the meaning of the exception in Allah’s saying: (Except what your Lord wills). Among the most well-known opinions is that the exception refers to the disobedient monotheists whom Allah will remove from Hellfire after punishing them for their sins.