According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the Quranic term 'Ahqab' (أَحْقَابًا), found in Surah An-Naba (78:23), refers to 'ages' or immensely long periods of time, and is central to the theological discussion on the duration of punishment in the Hereafter. The great exegetes like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir cite reports from the early Muslims defining a single age ('huqb') as lasting for tens of thousands or even millions of earthly years. The primary scholarly discourse, detailed by commentators such as Al-Qurtubi, revolves around whether these 'ages' are finite or unending. The majority consensus holds that while the term implies countable periods, for the unrepentant disbelievers, these ages are successive and without end, thus harmonizing 'Ahqab' with other verses that explicitly mention eternity ('khalidin fiha abadan'). However, some scholars have interpreted the verse as potentially applying to sinful monotheists who are eventually purified and removed from the Fire after these long ages. This synthesis establishes 'Ahqab' as a term signifying a punishment of unimaginable length and severity, highlighting divine justice while accommodating discussions on the ultimate scope of divine mercy.