Does the Almighty’s saying (and when Hellfire is set ablaze) mean that the Fire was not burning and was then kindled on the Day of Resurrection, or does it have another meaning?

The People of Sunnah and Jama'ah are in agreement that Paradise and Hellfire have already been created and exist now. Evidence for this is found in the texts of the Qur'an and Sunnah. From the Qur'an, Allah Almighty says concerning Paradise: {prepared for the righteous} [Qur'an 3:133], and concerning Hellfire: {prepared for the disbelievers} [Qur'an 3:131]. From the Sunnah, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When a man dies, his seat is shown to him morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, then Paradise, and if he is one of the people of Hellfire, then Hellfire." And his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "When Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise and said: 'Look at it and at what I have prepared for its inhabitants therein...'"

As for the specious argument of those who claim that they have not yet been created, based on the verse {Every­thing will perish except His Face} [Qur'an 28:88], the refutation is that what is meant is everything that Allah has decreed to perish. Paradise and Hellfire were created for permanence, not for perishing.

And as for Allah Almighty's saying: {And when Hellfire is flared up} [Qur'an 81:12], its meaning is that it will be kindled, heated, and its intensity will be increased on the Day of Judgment, not that it did not exist and then was ignited, as in His saying, the Almighty: {Every time it subsides, We will increase their blaze} [Qur'an 17:97].