The evidence of the reduction of punishment for the disbelievers and its causes تخفیف ِ عذاب برائے کفار کا ثبوت اور اس کے اسباب

Abstract

The general view regarding the punishment of the Hereafter is that the punishment of the unbelievers in the Hereafter is permanent and uninterrupted and will not be alleviated in any way. The basis of this theory regarding the punishment of the disbelievers is the verses in which the word “لَا يُخَفَّفُ”"it will not be lightened" is mentioned. In light of these verses, the question arises: Will the punishment of all unbelievers in the Hereafter be equal in terms of their qualities, or will there be some difference? Will the punishment of any one unbeliever in the Hereafter be less than the punishment of other unbelievers? If the punishment of a disbeliever in the Hereafter is somewhat reduced compared to the punishment of other disbelievers, what would be the meaning of the words “لَا يُخَفَّفُ” in the above verses? What are the reasons for this reduction in punishment? Can the righteous deeds of the unbeliever be a reason for the reduction in punishment in the Hereafter? This research paper attempts to find answers to these questions by discussing these topics in depth. Our research concludes that, despite the commonality of disbelief and polytheism, there is a difference in the punishment of disbelievers, and based on various reasons and conditions, the punishment of one disbeliever may be less severe than that of another disbeliever. The factors that lead to a reduction in punishment despite participation in disbelief and polytheism include the lack of means of guidance, differences in the levels of preaching, the lack of proof in some matters, and the length of life in the afterlife. There are also some reasons that reduce the punishment of disbelievers for committing sins and disobeying commands. These reasons include the imposition of Islamic punishment on a disbeliever for committing sins, the righteous deeds, the generosity of a disbeliever, the fulfillment of obligations that do not require intention, and the avoidance of forbidden things.