Hell for eternity?

 Asalamwalekum dear brothers and sisters.

 I hope you don't mind a new sister joining the forums, this happens to be my very first post. :-)

I was a born Muslim but sadly due to sheer ignorance I was Muslim in name only. I did not pray 5 times a day, I did not participate or listen to Religious discussions, and the Holy month of Ramzan was merely another month to me.

 Then something incredible happened and I started fresh with Islam, I have started praying 5 times a day...and I don't find it obligatory to do so, and to become a good Muslim girl. I do it out of free will, and out of my love for Allah S.W.T and our Beloved Prophet (pbuh).

I'm still very much learning about various facets of our beautiful religion, but one thing Iam unsure of is the concept of Heaven/Hell.

From a fellow Muslim acquaintance, I was told that the sinners serve their time in Hell on a temporary basis, and after they are done their time (provided they are Muslims), they can enter Heaven on the will of Allah S.W.T.

I however, always assumed that once a person gets damned to Hell that they stay their for eternity...and the same applies to Heaven?

Could someone please be kind enough to quote some verses from The Holy Qur'an which either contradict what I assume, or are in accordance with what I think?

I applogize, but like I have said I'm still very much learning more about Islam. I will be forever grateful.

Thanks in advance. :-)

Assalamu alaikum,

First let me say Alhamdulillah that you have found your way to the Straight Path my sister.

The following verses have been cited as evidence of mercy even for those condemned to Hell (emphasis is mine):

11. 106. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs:

107. They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.

Walaikum assalam,

My understanding is that Hell is for those who have completely rejected Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. There is an interesting hadith on this subject:

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 597:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "A man who never did any good deed, said that if he died, his family should burn him and throw half the ashes of his burnt body in the earth and the other half in the sea, for by Allah, if Allah should get hold of him, He would inflict such punishment on him as He would not inflict on anybody among the people. But Allah ordered the sea to collect what was in it (of his ashes) and similarly ordered the earth to collect what was in it (of his ashes). Then Allah said (to the recreated man ), 'Why did you do so?' The man replied, 'For being afraid of You, and You know it (very well).' So Allah forgave him."