ميحرلانمحرلا هللا مسب

Destiny of those who die without hearing about Islam on the Day of Resurrection

[Fataawa Ibn Baaz, Vol. 8, pp. 97 –98]

Q6: What is the destiny of a person who dies without ever hearing about or knowing of Islam on the Day of Resurrection?

A: The ruling on these people is the same as that on Ahl-ul-Fatrah (those to whom Da‘wah has not reached in an uncorrupted manner), who died without receiving the Message brought by the Messengers (مَّلَسوهلآوهيلع ُهللاىلص). It was authentically reported in a Hadith Sahih (a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish) that they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection. Those who pass the test will enter Jannah (Paradise) and those who fail it by disobeying Allah will enter the Fire. The people who have not received Da‘wah (the call to Islam) include those who have been raised in an ignorant society far away from Muslims, such as those living in our time in the outskirts of America or on the coasts of Africa that are far from

Muslims, or in any other remote parts of the world to which the message of Islam has not reached. These people will be tested on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will command them to do certain actions and forbid them from others. Those who obey the commands will enter Jannah, and those who disobey will enter the Fire. The great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful with him) elucidated on this point at the end of his book: "Tariq Al-Hijratayn (The Path of the Two Migrations)" under the heading: "Tabaqat Al-Mukallafin (Levels of those meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions)". He explained the views held by the scholars and mentioned the Hadith that have been narrated in this regard.

As for those people who die never having received Da‘wah, due to living far away from Muslims, or adults who were mentally ill or retarded who had no ability to reason, or children of Mushriks (those who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) who die young, according to one opinion of the scholars, they will all be tested on the Day of Resurrection. Those of them who obey will enter Jannah, and those who disobey will enter the Fire. We ask Allah to grant us safety.

However, the correct view regarding the children of the Mushriks who die young, before reaching the age of Taklif (legal accountability for actions), is that they will enter Jannah, according to the Sahih Hadith that have been reported in this regard.