In Islamic theology, there is a range of opinions regarding the fate of children of polytheists who pass away before reaching maturity. Scholars and hadiths offer different interpretations, each rooted in understanding Allah’s mercy and justice. While some of these perspectives are supported by hadith, others are inferred from Quranic verses. Ibn Hajar mentions nine different views explored below:
1. Allah Knows Their Fate
The foundational belief in Islam is that Allah is all-knowing, and He is aware of the ultimate fate of every individual, including children. According to this perspective, Allah knows the actions that children would have taken had they been allowed to live to adulthood. Since children, through no fault of their own, do not reach the age of accountability, Allah’s wisdom determines their final abode in the hereafter.
2. Children Follow the Religion of Their Fathers
A well-known hadith states,
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْمِلَّةِ فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُشَرِّكَانِهِ ” . قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ هَلَكَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ ” اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ بِهِ ” .
‘Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “Every child is born upon the Millah, then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or an idolater.” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah! What about those who die before that?” He said: “Allah knows best what they would have done.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2138, Chapter 5, Book 32: Chapters On Al-Qadar
Some scholars have taken this to mean that children, especially those born to non-Muslim parents, will follow the religion of their fathers.
3. Children Will Be in Barzakh (The Intermediate Realm)
Another opinion is that children who die before reaching maturity will reside in Barzakh, a realm between Jannah (paradise) and Jahannam (hell). This view is based on the notion that children do not possess good deeds to be admitted into paradise, nor do they have sinful actions that would warrant their punishment in hell. Therefore, they exist in a state of neutrality in the afterlife, awaiting Allah’s judgment.
4. Children as Servants of Jannah
Some scholars, citing a hadith narrated by Samurah bin Jundub, suggest that the children of polytheists (mushrikeen) will be the servants of Jannah. In this tradition, children are considered to be part of Allah’s mercy, and their ultimate fate will be to serve in paradise. This view emphasises the merciful nature of Allah and His special regard for children who pass away before reaching the age of accountability.
5. Children Will Become Dust
A different opinion, held by Thumamah bin Ashras, asserts that children who pass away will become dust in the hereafter.
6. Children Will Be Tested in the Hereafter
Another perspective is that children will be tested in the hereafter. This test, according to some scholars, would determine whether they enter Jannah or Jahannam. The children who pass the test would be rewarded with paradise, while those who fail would be sent to hell.
7. Children Will Go to Jahannam
Iyad bin Ahmad held the view that children of non-believers (or mushrikeen) would be sent to Jahannam.
8. The View of Jannah for All Children
A broader, more comforting perspective is that all children who pass away will enter Jannah, irrespective of the faith of their parents. Proponents of this view often cite the Quranic verse:
“And never would We punish until We sent a messenger” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:15). This verse is interpreted to mean that children, who have not received the message of Islam or reached the age of accountability, are exempt from punishment. Consequently, they would be granted entry into paradise as a sign of Allah’s mercy.
9. Abstaining from Judgment Due to Lack of Information
Finally, there are scholars who advise restraint in making definitive claims about the fate of children in the hereafter. These scholars emphasise that since there is no clear and explicit directive from the Quran or hadith regarding the fate of children, it is best to abstain from forming conclusions without sufficient evidence. In the end, the matter lies with Allah, who is the most just and merciful.
