Is there any Qur’anic evidence for some of those who have been tormented being released from Hellfire and entering Paradise, contrary to the apparent meaning of the verses that indicate the eternity of torment?
The Qur'an referred to the exit of disobedient monotheists from Hellfire in His (SWT) saying: "As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein will be groaning and sighing, abiding eternally therein as long as the heavens and earth endure, except what your Lord wills. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends." Some of the Salaf interpreted this by saying that the exception refers to disobedient monotheists whom Allah will remove from Hellfire through intercession. Also, the verses of intercession indicate the possibility of some people benefiting from it, and the Sunnah of the Prophet has shown that intercession is a cause for disobedient monotheists to exit Hellfire.
The People of Sunnah have unanimously agreed that disbelievers will abide eternally in Hellfire, and that disobedient monotheists will exit it through the intercession of intercessors or by the mercy of Allah, and then enter Paradise.
Even if the Qur'an does not explicitly state this, the widely transmitted Prophetic Sunnah does, and the Sunnah is a revelation that must be believed in and acted upon, just like the Qur'an. Allah revealed to His Messenger the Book and Wisdom, and Wisdom is the Prophetic Sunnah. So, the Qur'an did not mention everything that must be believed or acted upon; rather, it entrusted the explanation of some matters to the Sunnah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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