Will all Muslims enter Paradise? Will Muslims who commit major sins enter Paradise after remaining for some time in Hell, especially Muslim women who do not wear Hijaab? Will they eventually enter Paradise?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Ahl As-Sunnah wa Al-Jamaa‘ah believe that Muslims who commit grave major sins will not remain in Hell forever. If one of them enters Hell, he will be let out after some time, or after a person intercedes on his behalf, or after Allaah The Almighty forgives him.

In a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Anas the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that he will ask Allaah The Almighty to let him intercede on behalf of his Ummah (Muslim nation). After Allaah The Almighty accepts his intercession, those having the slightest bit of faith will be let out of Hell. [Al-Bukhari]

If some texts seemingly denote otherwise, then scholars explained these texts in the light of what we said. For example, Abu Hurayrah quoted the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying that women going out displaying their adornment will not enter Paradise and will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. [Muslim]

Al-Baaji Al-Malikki said that this Hadeeth means one of three things:

1-      Such women will not enter Paradise by their deeds, but if they do enter, it is because Allaah The Almighty will forgive and pardon them.

2-      Such women will not enter Paradise at first with those who would be saved from entering Hell.

3-      Such women will enter Paradise after remaining for some time in Hell after bearing their punishment.

Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr Al-Maliki said that this Hadeeth means that such women deserve Hell. However, Allaah The Almighty may forgive and pardon them. Allaah The Almighty does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills. This is understood from the words of Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr .

In conclusion, Muslims who commit major sins will not remain in Hell forever. This is supported by conclusive proof. If there are some texts that seemingly denote otherwise, then they must be understood in the context of conclusive proof.

Allaah Knows best.