Imam Rida (peace be upon him): Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Nawfali says: When Imam Rida (peace be upon him) attended the gathering of al-Ma'mun, a discussion took place between him and Sulayman [al-Marwazi] concerning bada'. ... Imam Rida (peace be upon him) said: "Does Allah know all that is in Paradise and Hell?" Sulayman said: "Yes." The Imam (peace be upon him) said: "Is that which Allah knows will be brought into existence in the future part of Allah's knowledge?" He said: "Yes." The Imam (peace be upon him) said: "If [what is in Paradise and Hell were consumed and] nothing of it remained except [that it be said] it existed, does He add more for them or fold it up and gather it in?" Sulayman said: "He adds more for them." He said: "I see that, according to your words, He has added for them something which was not in His knowledge and which He did not know would come to be later." Sulayman said: "May I be your ransom! That which is added has no end." The Imam (peace be upon him) said: "Then according to your belief, Allah's knowledge does not encompass the things that are in Paradise and Hell, since He does not know their end; and if His knowledge does not encompass what is brought into existence in Paradise and Hell, then He does not know the things that are brought into existence in them before they are brought into existence. Allah is far exalted above what you say, a great exaltation!" Sulayman said: "I only said that Allah does not know it because it has no end and no conclusion; for Allah the Mighty and Majestic has described Paradise and Hell with everlastingness, and we found it disagreeable to place any termination upon Paradise and Hell." Imam Rida (peace be upon him) said: "Allah's knowledge of it does not cause it to come to an end; because Allah knows it and then adds more for them, and He does not cut off the additions from them. That is why Allah the Mighty and Majestic said in His Book: كُلَّما نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُمْ بَدَّلْناهُمْ جُلُوداً غَیْرَها لِیَذُوقُوا الْعَذابَ [Whenever the skins of their bodies are roasted [and burned], We shall replace them with other skins, so that they may taste the punishment [of Allah].] (al-Nisa'/56). And to the people of Paradise He said: عَطاءً غَیْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ [A gift never to be cut off!] (Hud/108). And Allah the Mighty and Majestic said: وَ فاکِهَةٍ کَثِیرَةٍ * لا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَ لا مَمْنُوعَةٍ [And abundant fruits which are never cut off nor forbidden.] (al-Waqi'ah/32-33). So Allah the Mighty and Majestic knows it and does not withhold the increase from them. Tell me: does Allah not replace what the people of Paradise eat and drink with something in its place?" Sulayman said: "Yes, He replaces it." He said: "Does He then cut it off from them while He has replaced it?" Sulayman said: "No." He said: "Thus is the case: whatever is in Paradise, when He puts something else in its place, the blessings of Paradise are not cut off from the people of Paradise." Sulayman said: "Rather, He cuts off the blessings from them and does not add for them!" Imam Rida (peace be upon him) said: "In that case, what is in Paradise comes to an end. And O Sulayman! This statement is a rejection of the everlastingness of Paradise and contrary to the Book of Allah; for Allah the Mighty and Majestic says: لَهُمْ ما یَشاؤُنَ فِیها وَ لَدَیْنا مَزِیدٌ [Whatever they wish is there for them, and with Us are yet more blessings which occur to no one's mind!] (Qaf/35). And Allah the Mighty and Majestic says: عَطاءً غَیْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ [A gift never to be cut off!] (Hud/108). And He says: وَ ما هُمْ مِنْها بِمُخْرَجِینَ [And they will never be expelled from it!] (al-Hijr/48). And He says: خالِدِینَ فِیها [Abiding therein]. And He says: وَ فاکِهَةٍ کَثِیرَةٍ * لا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَ لا مَمْنُوعَةٍ [And abundant fruits which are never cut off nor forbidden.] (al-Waqi'ah/33-34)." Sulayman was unable to give any reply.