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A test on the Day of Judgment for whoever did not receive the message of Islam
Fatwa No: 3191

Question

What is the ruling of the person who dies before receiving the call to Islam?

Answer

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 is His slave and Messenger.

 

Allaah The Ever-Merciful would not punish any of His slaves who did not receive His message through the Messengers. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

 

• {Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.} [Quran 17:15]

 

There are numerous verses that have the same meaning. They all indicate that Allaah The Almighty would not admit anyone into Hell until He has sent him a Messenger. Allaah The Almighty would never torture anyone unless He had sent him a Messenger to guide him to the right path, forbid him from deviation and inform him of Islam and its Sharee‘ah. The person would then not be able to plead ignorance. This applies to the time of the Prophet, sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , as well as after him. Anyone who has not heard the message of the Prophet, sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, regardless of where he lives, would have the same ruling of Ahl Al-Fatrah (those who did not receive the message).

 

It was mentioned in a Hadeeth that these people will be tested on the Day of Judgment itself. The Prophet, sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that four people would be excused on the Day of Judgment: the deaf, the insane, the senile and a person of Ahl Al-Fatrah. They will argue that they did not believe because they were not sent any Messengers. They will pledge obedience to Allaah The Almighty and He will order them to enter the Fire; if they obey Him, that fire will be cool and peaceful for them. [Ahmad]

 

However, anyone who heard the message of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and did not believe in it will have no excuse. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, swore by Allaah The Almighty that any Jew or Christian who knows about his message and does not believe until his death will be among the dwellers of Hell.

 

Allaah Knows best.

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