Why Must Everyone Come to Hell?
A Critical Examination of Qur'an 19:71–72 and the Christian Doctrine of Salvation
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract
Among the most debated eschatological passages in the Qur'an is Surah Maryam 19:71–72. The passage states that every person will "come to" Hell before Allah delivers those who feared Him while leaving the wicked behind. Throughout Islamic history, scholars have differed on whether the passage teaches an actual entrance into Hell or merely passing over it by means of the ṣirāṭ (bridge). Regardless of the interpretation, the verses place Hell within the experience of every human being before the final separation of the righteous and the wicked.
This article examines the theological implications of Qur'an 19:71–72, compares the passage with other Qur'anic texts concerning salvation and judgment, and contrasts the Islamic understanding of salvation with the Christian doctrine of redemption through Jesus Christ. It also raises interpretive questions intended to stimulate theological dialogue rather than settle the debate.
Introduction
Every religion answers four fundamental questions:
How is humanity saved?
What is the nature of divine justice?
Can believers possess assurance of salvation?
What role does judgment play in redemption?
Christianity answers these questions through the cross of Christ.
Islam answers them through submission, divine mercy, righteous deeds, and the final judgment.
One Qur'anic passage stands at the center of this discussion.
"And there is none of you except he will come to it (Hell). This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed. Then We shall save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers therein on their knees."
(Qur'an 19:71–72)
The passage raises profound theological questions.
Why must everyone come to Hell?
If Allah already knows the destiny of every soul, what purpose does this encounter serve?
Why is Paradise not entered directly?
The Meaning of the Arabic Text
The key phrase is:
وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا
(Wa in minkum illā wāriduhā)
The important word is وَارِدُهَا (wāriduhā) from the root و ر د (warada).
The root can mean:
to come to
to approach
to arrive at
to enter
to reach
Because of this range of meanings, Muslim commentators have disagreed over the verse's precise interpretation.
Some argue:
everyone enters Hell temporarily.
Others argue:
everyone merely passes over it.
Still others say:
everyone comes near it.
Although the precise interpretation differs, one fact remains consistent:
Hell occupies an unavoidable place in the final judgment.
Classical Islamic Interpretations
Al-Ṭabarī
Al-Ṭabarī records multiple early opinions. Some Companions and Successors understood the verse as referring to actual entry into Hell before the believers were delivered. Others understood it as passing over Hell while remaining protected.
He concludes that the wording permits different understandings preserved in the early tradition.
Ibn Kathīr
Ibn Kathīr connects Qur'an 19:71 with traditions describing humanity crossing the ṣirāṭ (bridge) stretched over Hell.
According to these narrations:
some cross like lightning,
some like the wind,
some like galloping horses,
others crawl,
while some fall into Hell.
Thus, even if believers ultimately reach Paradise, Hell remains part of the judgment scene.
Al-Qurṭubī
Al-Qurṭubī also presents numerous scholarly opinions.
Some scholars argued:
Everyone enters Hell.
Others maintained:
Believers only pass above it.
Still others held that Hell's fire becomes cool for believers.
The diversity of interpretations illustrates the interpretive complexity of the passage.
Theological Questions Raised
Regardless of interpretation, several theological questions emerge.
Question One
If Allah is omniscient, why require every human being to approach or enter Hell before salvation?
An all-knowing God already knows:
who believes,
who rejects,
who will enter Paradise.
Why then is Hell part of the process?
Question Two
If divine justice has already been determined, what additional purpose is served by bringing believers to Hell before rescuing them?
Does this increase justice?
Does it magnify mercy?
Or does it simply demonstrate divine authority?
The Qur'an itself does not explicitly explain the rationale.
Question Three
If believers ultimately belong in Paradise, why expose them to Hell at all?
Would immediate entrance into Paradise not better display divine mercy?
Question Four
Does salvation remain uncertain until the final moment?
If so, how can believers possess complete assurance during earthly life?
Other Qur'anic Passages Related to Judgment
Salvation Depends on the Scale
"Those whose scales are heavy—it is they who are successful.
But those whose scales are light—they have lost themselves."
(Qur'an 23:102–103)
Salvation is connected with divine weighing of deeds.
Every Soul Will Be Judged
"Every soul will taste death."
(Qur'an 3:185)
The verse continues by emphasizing recompense on the Day of Resurrection.
No Soul Bears Another's Burden
"No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another."
(Qur'an 6:164)
This differs fundamentally from Christianity's doctrine of substitutionary atonement.
Muhammad's Knowledge
"Say, I do not know what will be done with me or with you."
(Qur'an 46:9)
The verse has been discussed by Muslim scholars in different ways. Some interpret it as referring to worldly circumstances rather than final salvation, while others see it in relation to future events. Either way, it has played a role in debates about prophetic certainty.
Muhammad Is Commanded to Seek Forgiveness
Qur'an 40:55
Qur'an 47:19
Qur'an 48:2
These verses have generated discussion regarding the nature of prophetic forgiveness and sinlessness.
The Christian Doctrine of Salvation
Christian theology begins not with human merit but with God's initiative.
The central claim of Christianity is:
Jesus entered judgment so believers would not have to.
Isaiah writes:
"He was wounded for our transgressions."
(Isaiah 53:5)
Peter explains:
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree."
(1 Peter 2:24)
Paul declares:
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law."
(Galatians 3:13)
Thus, Christ experiences judgment in the place of sinners.
No Condemnation in Christ
Jesus says:
"He who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life."
(John 5:24)
Notice the language.
Not:
"He will first pass through Hell."
Instead:
"He has passed from death unto life."
Paul continues:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
(Romans 8:1)
Again,
No intermediate encounter with Hell is described.
Assurance of Salvation
The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes hope in Allah's mercy.
The New Testament emphasizes confidence grounded in Christ.
John writes:
"These things I have written to you who believe... that you may know that you have eternal life."
(1 John 5:13)
Jesus promises:
"My sheep hear My voice... I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."
(John 10:27–28)
The Christian believer's assurance rests upon Christ's completed work rather than upon a future weighing of deeds.
A Comparison of Two Models
| Christian Theology | Islamic Theology |
|---|---|
| Christ bears judgment | Every person faces final judgment |
| Grace through faith | Mercy together with accountability and deeds |
| No condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1) | Humanity comes to or passes over Hell (Qur'an 19:71–72) |
| Assurance through Christ | Hope in Allah's mercy and judgment |
| Cross as complete atonement | Final judgment determines destiny |
These points summarize broad theological emphases. Both traditions contain diverse schools of interpretation, and adherents explain these doctrines in different ways.
The Cross Eliminates the Need for Hell
The New Testament repeatedly teaches that Christ endured God's judgment.
Matthew records:
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Matthew 27:46)
Paul writes:
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us."
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
If Christ has already borne divine wrath,
then Christians ask:
Why would believers still need to approach Hell?
The answer given by Christianity is:
They do not.
Jesus fully satisfied divine justice.
The Greatest Contrast
The greatest difference between Christianity and Islam is not merely the identity of Jesus.
It is the method of salvation.
In Christianity:
God comes to humanity.
In Islam:
Humanity appears before God's judgment.
In Christianity:
The Judge bears the sentence.
In Islam:
Every individual stands before judgment according to Allah's decree.
These contrasting theological frameworks shape each religion's understanding of salvation, justice, and assurance.
Conclusion
Qur'an 19:71–72 remains one of the Qur'an's most discussed eschatological passages. Classical Muslim commentators have offered multiple interpretations of the phrase "coming to Hell," ranging from actual entry to passing over it. The diversity of these interpretations reflects the complexity of the Arabic text and the richness of the Islamic exegetical tradition.
From a Christian apologetic perspective, however, the passage raises significant theological questions. If Christ has borne the penalty for sin once for all (Hebrews 10:10–14), then believers are not expected to undergo Hell before entering eternal life. The New Testament consistently teaches that those who trust in Christ have already passed from death to life (John 5:24) and are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1).
The contrast is therefore not merely about the sequence of events after death but about the foundation of salvation itself. Christianity proclaims redemption through the finished work of Jesus Christ, while Islam presents a final judgment in which every person must face Allah's decree. This distinction remains one of the central theological differences between the two faiths and continues to be a subject of respectful scholarly dialogue.
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