Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: * The correct opinion [1] is that the ahl al-Fatrah (those who received

ed no message or messenger), they will be tested on the Day of Judgment. Whomsoever obeys (Allaah )will enter the Paradise and those who disobey (Him) will enter the Fire. Source:

)41 (
Shaikh al-Albaanee and Imaam Ibn Katheer were also of the same opinion. *** [1] This is an issue that the `Ulamaa have differed over, as Imaam Ibn Katheer has pointed out. He has discussed this in great detail in his Tafseer saying: Here there arises an issue over which the scholars in earlier and modern times have disagreed, . This is the issue of children who die when they are little, and their parents are disbelievers: what happens to them, by the same token, what happens to the insane, the deaf, the senile and those who die during the circumstances of Fatrah, when no Message reached them. Several Ahaadeeth have been narrated on this topic, which I will quote here by the help and support of Allaah. The First Hadeeth: from Al-Aswad ; Imaam Ahmad reported from Al-Aswad bin Saree` that the Messenger of Allaah said:

: : : : . :
There are four who will present their case on the Day of Resurrection: a deaf man who never heard anything, an insane man, a very old and senile man, and a man who died during the Fatrah. As for the deaf man, he will say: O Lord, Islaam came but I never heard anything. As for the insane man, he will say: O Lord, Islaam came and the young boys were throwing camel dung at me. As for the senile man, he will say: O Lord, Islaam came and I did not understand anything. As for the one who died during the Fatrah, he will say: O Lord, no Messenger from You came to me. Allaah will accept their pledge of obedience to Him, then He will send word to them that they should enter the Fire. By the One in

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Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, it will be cool and safe for them. [al-Tabaraanee (2/79) with a Saheeh Sanad, Musnad Ahmad (16301), Ibn Hibbaan (1827) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (1434). It was also graded as Saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in Tareeq alHijratain (1/397) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (19)] There is a similar report with a chain from Qataadah from Al-Hasan from Abu Rafi` from Abu Hurairah , but at the end it says:

Whoever enters it will find it cool and safe, and whoever does not enter it will be dragged into it. [Musnad Ahmad (16301), this Hadeeth is also graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] This was also recorded by Is-haaq bin Rahwayh from Mu`adh bin Hisham, and by Al-Bayhaqi in Al-I`tiqaad. He said: This is a Saheeh chain. It was reported by Ibn Jareer from the Hadeeth of Ma`mar from Hammam from Abu Hurairah, who attributed it to the Prophet . Then Abu Hurairah said: Recite, if you wish:

{And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning)}. This was also narrated by Ma`mar from `Abdullaah bin Tawoos from his father, from Abu Hurairah, but it is Mauqoof (it was not attributed directly to the Prophet ) . The Second Hadeeth: from Anas bin Maalik : Yazeed bin Abaan said: We said to Anas : O Abu Hamzah! What do you say in regards to the children of the Mushriks? He said: The Messenger of Allaah said:

They wont have any sins for which they would be punished, so that they would be the inhabitants of the Fire; neither would they have any good deeds for which they would be rewarded, so that they become the inhabitants of the Paradise. They will be the servants of the people of Paradise. [Abu Dawood al-Tayaalisee in his Musnad (2225), Tabaraanee in Mu`jam al-Awsat (5355) and Mu`jam al-Kabeer (6993), al-Bazzaar (4516, 7466) and graded as Saheeh li shawaahid (authentic due to supporting chains) in al-Saheehah (1468)]

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The Third Hadeeth: also from Anas : Anas said that the Prophet said:

: : ! : : : :
Four (types of people) will come on the Day of Judgment: the infant, the insane, the one who died during al-Fatrah and a very old and senile man. Everyone will present their case. Allaah will say to the neck from the Hellfire: {Arise!} And He will say to them: {I used to send Messengers to my slaves from among themselves, and I am a Messenger from Myself to you. So enter into this (Fire).} So those for whom misery was written will say: O Lord! How should we enter this, whereas this is what we are trying to run away from? As for those for whom happiness was written, will be charging towards it (to enter it). Allaah will say: {You (would have been) more severe in denying and disobeying My Messengers.} So those (who ran to enter the fire) will be made to enter the Jannah and those (who complained) will be made to enter the Hellfire. [Musnad al-Bazzaar (7594), Musnad Abu Yu`laa (4224) and Shaikh al-Albaanee said that the Hadeeth with this chain is Dha`eef but it there are other Ahaadeeth to raise the level of this Hadeeth (like the first Hadeeth of Al-Aswad ) , see al-Saheehah (2468).] The Fourth Hadeeth: from al-Baraa bin `Aazib : Al-Haafidh Abu Yu`laa reported in his Musnad on the authority of al-Baraa bin `Aazib said: The Prophet was asked about the children of the Believers. He said:

They will be with their fathers, and he was asked about the children of the Mushriks, he said:

They will be with their fathers. They said: O Messenger of Allaah ! They did not do anything? He said:

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Allaah knows best about them. [[Translators Note: Could not trace this Hadeeth in Musnad Abu Yu`la from al-Baraa . But there is a Hadeeth on the authority of Umm al-Mumineen `Aaishah that the Prophet said:

They (the offspring of theKuffaar) will be with their fathers. I said: O Messenger of Allaah! Without they doing any (wrong) action? He said:

Allaah knows best what they would have done. [Musnad Ahmad (24545) but the Hadeeth with this chain is Dha`eef.] In the Saheehain there is a similar Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurairah and Ibn `Abbaas but without the phrase: that the offspring of the pagans will be with their fathers. Abu Hurairah said that the Prophet was asked about the offspring of pagans (Mushrikeen); so he said:

Allaah knows what sort of deeds they would have done. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1384, 6598) and Saheeh Muslim (6933)] Narrated Ibn `Abbaas : Allaah's Messenger was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet replied:

Since Allaah created them, He knows what sort of deeds they would have done. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1383, 6597)]]] The Fifth Hadeeth: from the Hadeeth of Thawbaan : Al-Haafidh Abu Bakr al-Bazzaar reported in his Musnad on the authority of Thawbaan that the Prophet said:

: :
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 : - :- : : . : : . : . : .
When it will be the Day of Judgment, people from the days of ignorance will come forth carrying idols on their backs. Their Lord will ask them [in al-Zuhd of Ibn al-Mubaarak it is: Allaah will ask them: {What did you used to worship?}] and they will say: O our Lord! You did not send any Messenger to us nor did we receive any commands from you. Had You send us the Messenger we would have been Your obedient servants. Their Lord will say to them: {If I command you with a task will you obey Me?} They will says: Yes! They will be commanded to walk towards the Hellfire and enter it. They will walk towards it till when they come close to it, they will hear its raging and roaring. They will return back to their Lord saying: O our Lord! Take us out from it. He will say to them: {Did you not claim to Me that if I command you with a task, you will obey Me?} He will take a promise from them and say to them: {Go towards it and enter it} They will (again) walk towards it till when they see it, they will disperse and return back. They will say: O our Lord! Distance us from it for we cannot enter it. He will say: {Enter it humiliated} The Prophet said: Had they entered it the first time, they would have found it cool and safety (for them) [Musnad al-Bazzaar (4169), and the words within the brackets are from alZuhd (1323) of Ibn al-Mubaarak. Al-Haakim also reported it in al-Mustadrak (8390) and said: It is Saheeh as per the condition of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim but they did not report it and al-Dhahabee agreed with him.] The Sixth Hadeeth: from Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree : Imaam al-Dhuhlee reported on the authority of Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree that the Prophet said:

: : : : : : ] [ :
(In regards to) the one who died during al-Fatrah, the insane and infant. The one who died during the Fatrah will say: No Book had reached me. The insane will say: O my Lord! You did not give me a sound intellect so that I could distinguish what is good and what is evil. The infant will say: O my Lord! I did not 5 www.foodiefahoodie.blogspot.com

reach adolescence. Then the fire will be raised for them and it will be said to them: {Enter it}. The Prophet said: So those who were in Allaahs knowledge from the successful people had they been given the chance to act (in this world) they will enter it (and no harm will happen to them) and those who were in Allaahs knowledge from the wretched people had they been given the chance to act (in this world) will hold back (from entering it). He will say (to those who did not enter): {You disobey Me (now), so how would you be had my Messengers come to you?} [al-Bazzaar also reported it and said: We do not know of any other route for the Hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed except from the route of al-Fudhail from `Attiyyah from Abu Sa`eed, and `Attiyyah is Dha`eef, see al-Saheehah (5/604) of Shaikh al-Albaanee] The Seventh Hadeeth: from Mu`aadh ibn Jabal : On the authority of Mu`aadh ibn Jabal that the Prophet said:

: . - - : - : : : - :
On the Day of Judgment an insane person, the one who died during al-Fatrah and the one who died during infancy/childhood will come. The insane will say: My Lord! Had you given me intelligence, no one whom you had given intelligence would have been as successful as me. The one who died during alFatrah and childhood will say the similar to it. Allaah will say: {I will command you with a task, will you obey Me?} They will say: Yes! He will say: {Go and enter the Fire.} He said: Should they enter it, no harm will happen to them. They will see such a huge blaze that they will think that everything which Allaah has created will perish. They will return back hurriedly. They will be commanded a second time but they will return similarly. Allaah will say: {Even before I created you, I knew what you will be doing; and upon My knowledge I created you.} They will be gathered and the fire will engulf them. [al-Tabaraanee in al-Awsat (7955), al-Kabeer (158) and in its chain is `Amr bin Waaqid and Imaam al-Bukhaaree rejected his Hadeeth and he has been accused of lying, see al-Saheehah (5/604-605)] The Eight Hadeeth: from Abu Hurairah and it was already mentioned along with the Hadeeth of al-Aswad . Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allaah said:

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Every newborn is born in a state of Fitrah (the natural state of man), then his parents make him into a Jew or Christian or Zoroastrian, as animals produce whole animals - do you see any that is born mutilated (with something missing) [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1358, 1359, 1385, 4775)] According to one report they said: O Messenger of Allaah, what about those who die when they are little? He said:

Allaah knows best what they would have done. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1383, 1384, 6597, 6598, 6599) and Saheeh Muslim (6428, 6430, 6432, 6433)] Imaam Ahmad reported from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

The children of the Muslims are in Paradise, being taken care of by Ibraaheem . [Musnad Ahmad (16/140) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (603, 1467)] In Saheeh Muslim it is reported from `Iyaadh that the Messenger of Allaah said that Allaah said:

{I have created My servants as Hunafaa (having a natural inclination to the worship of Alla ah alone)} [Saheeh Muslim (6853)] The Ninth Hadeeth: from Samurah : In his book Al-Mustakhraj `alaa Al-Bukharee, Al-Haafidh Abu Bakr Al-Baraqaanee recorded the Hadeeth of `Awf Al-A`rabee, from Abu Raja' Al-`Utardi from Samurah that the Prophet said:

Every newborn is born in a state of Fitrah. The people called out to him: O Messenger of Allaah! What about the children of the idolaters? He said:

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And the children of the idolaters too. [Al-Mustakhraj `alaa Al-Bukharee of al-Baraqaanee] At-Tabarani reported that Samurah said: "We asked the Messenger of Allaah about the children of the idolators, and he said:

They are the servants of the people of Paradise. [al-Bazzaar (4516), al-Tabaraanee in al-Awsat (2045) and al-Kabeer (6993). It is similar to the Hadeeth of Anas ( the Second Hadeeth), see al-Saheehah (1468)] The Tenth Hadeeth: from the paternal uncle of Hasnaa Imaam Ahmad reported that Hasnaa bint Mu`aawiyah, from Bani Suraym, said that her paternal uncle said to her: I said: `O Messenger of Allaah! Who is in Paradise? He said:

Prophets are in Paradise, martyrs are in Paradise, infants are in Paradise and baby girls who were buried alive are in Paradise. [Musnad Ahmad (20583, 20585), Sunan Abu Dawood (2521) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

a. From the scholars are those who inclined towards al-Tawaqquf (i.e. not to proceed further in this matter and to say: Allaah knows best as reported in al-Bukhaaree and Muslim (see the section under the fourth Hadeeth.)) b. There are those who affirmed for them the Jannah due to the (long) Hadeeth of Samurah bin Jundub reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: In which the Prophet narrated about the dream saying that the two angels informed him:

and the tall man whom you saw in the garden, is Ibraaheem and the children around him are those children who die during Al-Fatrah. The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet : O Allaahs Messenger! What about the children of the Mushriks (pagans)?" The Prophet replied:

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(Yes) and also the children of pagans (will be among them). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7047)] c. And among them are those who said that they (the children of the pagans) will be in the Fire due to the saying of the Prophet :

They are with their fathers. d. And among them who inclined to the opinion that they will be tested on plains on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever obeys will enter the Jannah and it will become manifest (to the people) about Allaahs knowledge beforehand about who will be the successful ones; and those who disobey will enter the Fire humiliated - and it will become manifest (to the people) about Allaahs knowledge beforehand about who will be the losers. And this opinion (i.e. that the people will be tested), gathers in it all the (other) evidences and all the previous quoted Ahaadeeth bear witness to each other. And this is the opinion which Shaikh Abu al-Hasan `Alee al-Ash`aree has narrated from the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah. This is the opinion which al-Haafidh al-Baihaqee supported in his Kitaab al-`Itiqaad, and and similarly other scholars had the same opinion.

Removing the doubts about the Ahaadeeth of the Test: Imaam Ibn Katheer continues: Shaikh Abu `Umar bin `Abdul-Barr al-Nimaree, after mentioning the above mentioned Ahaadeeth on the test, said: The Ahaadeeth under this topic are not strong, and neither can they be used as evidence and people of knowledge have rejected them because the Aakhirah (the Day of Judgment) is the place of recompense and not the place for action and test. How can the people be tested with the burdened to enter the Fire which they cannot bear, for Allaah does not burden a soul more than it can bear?! The Answer: As for his statement about the inauthenticity of the Ahaadeeth under this topic: Then (it should be known) that there are Ahaadeeth which are Saheeh, as more than one scholar has said that, and from them are Ahaadeeth which are Hasan and then there are Ahaadeeth which are Dha`eef (weak in themselves) but which can be raised to the level of Saheeh or Hasan (due to supporting chains). So when the Ahaadeeth under one chapter are mutually reinforcing one another, then on the basis of this, evidence has been established accordingly. As for his statement: The Aakhirah is the place for recompense only, then there is no doubt that it is indeed the place for recompense. But it does not negate the tasks that will be put on the people in the plains before entering the Jannah as how Shaikh Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`aree has narrated from the Madhhab of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah that the children (of the Mushriks) will be tested. Moreover Allaah has said:

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{(Remember) the Day when the Shin shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called to prostrate (to Allaah)} [Surah al-Qalam (68):42] And it is also proven from the Sunnah in the two Saheeh and other than them that the Believers will prostrate to Allaah on the Day of Judgment. But as for the hypocrites they will not be able to do so and their vertebral column (spine) will become as one bone, whenever they will try to prostrate, their necks will not bend. And the narration in the Saheehain (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim) about the man who will be the last one to be taken out of the Hellfire and Allaah will take an oath from him that he will not ask Allaah for more than the state he already is in (but he will ask Allaah for more and more) and this will repeat a few times. Then Allaah will say:

!
O son of Aadam! How treacherous you are! Then Allaah will allow him to enter the Jannah. [Translators Note: This is part of the long Hadeeth: Narrated Abu Hurairah : The Prophet said: Then when Allaah had finished from the Judgments amongst his creations, one man will be left between Hell and Paradise and he will be the last man from the people of Hell to enter paradise. He will be facing Hell, and will say, 'O Allaah! Turn my face from the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.' Allaah will ask him, 'Will you ask for anything more in case this favor is granted to you?' He will say, 'No by Your (Honor) Power!' And he will give to his Lord (Allaah) what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allaah will then turn his face from the Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see its charm, he will remain quiet as long as Allaah will. He then will say, 'O my Lord! Let me go to the gate of Paradise.' Allaah will ask him, 'Didn't you give pledges and make covenants (to the effect) that you would not ask for anything more than what you requested at first?' He will say, 'O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched, amongst Your creatures.' Allaah will say, 'If this request is granted, will you then ask for anything else?' He will say, 'No! By Your Power! I shall not ask for anything else.' Then he will give to his Lord what He will of the pledges and the covenants. Allaah will then let him go to the gate of Paradise. On reaching then and seeing its life, charm, and pleasure, he will remain quiet as long as Allaah wills and then will say, 'O my Lord ! Let me enter Paradise.' Allaah will say, May Allaah be merciful unto you, O son of Adam! How treacherous you are! Haven't you made covenants and given pledges that you will not ask for anything more that what you have been given?' He will say, 'O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your creatures.' So Allaah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask him to request as much as he likes. He will do so till all his desires have been fulfilled. Then Allaah will say, 'Request more of such and such things.' Allaah will remind him and when all his desires and wishes; have been fulfilled; Allaah will say 'All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.' [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (806, 6573, 7437) and Saheeh Muslim (358, 7078) and it is also reported on the authority of `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6571, 7511) and

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Saheeh Muslim (308, 309, 310) and in the Saheehain it is also recorded on the authority of Abu Dharr and Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree ]] And as for his saying: How will they be burdened to enter the Fire for which is above their capacity to bear? This statement does not affect the authenticity of the Hadeeth, because Allaah will command His slaves to walk over the bridge on the Day of Judgment, and it will laid over the Hellfire which will be sharper the sword and thinner than a hair. The believers depending upon their good deeds - will pass over it like lighting or wind or like the ride on a fast horse, will be running, some walking and there will others who will be crawling over it and other will fall face first in the fire. The (test) discussed in the earlier Ahaadeeth is not as severe as this (crossing the bridge). Rather crossing the bridge will be more difficult that the test. Moreover, it is confirmed from the Sunnah that Dajjaal will have with him the Jannah and the Fire. He will command the believers to enter the fire, and those who enter it, the fire will be cool and safety for them. This is similar to it. Furthermore, Allaah had commanded the Banee Israaeel to kill each other. So they killed each other to the extent that it is said that in one day, seventy thousand were killed a person killing his father and brother and this was a punishment for worshiping the calf. This is also a bigger burden, more than one can bear more burdensome than what is mentioned in the Hadeeth (of the test). And Allaah knows best.

Section (Two): Since this has been established, still the scholars have differed over the infants of the Kuffaar: The first opinion: Some said: They will be in the Jannah and they take their evidence from the Hadeeth of Samurah in which the Prophet saw Ibraaheem with the children of the Muslims as well as the children of the Mushriks, as well as what we have mentioned of the Hadeeth (in the Musnad of) Imaam Ahmad from Hasnaa who reported from her uncle that the Prophet that (every) infant is in Jannah. And this reasoning is correct, but the Ahaadeeth of the test are more specific than this. It is from the Knowledge of Allaah about who will obey Him, that He created their souls in the Barzakh with Ibraaheem and the children of the Muslims, those who died during al-Fatrah. And from His knowledge about those who will disobey, He will command them on the Day of Judgment to be put into the Fire as is evident from the Ahaadeeth about the test. Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`aree has reported from (the scholars of) Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah, and among them are those who said that they will be in Paradise and then there are those who said that they will be the servants of the people of Paradise as has been reported in the Hadeeth of Anas by Abu Dawood al-Tayaalisee and it is Dha`eef [Translators Note: The Hadeeth is Dha`eef in itself as Imaam Ibn Katheer has pointed out but with different supporting routes it reaches to the level of Saheeh li ghairihee see the second Hadeeth]. And Allaah knows best.

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The second opinion: They will be with their fathers in the Fire. And they take their evidence from what Imaam Ahmad has reported from the Hadeeth of `Abdullaah bin Abu Qais that he asked `Aaishah about the children of the Kuffaar and she said that the Prophet said:

They (the offspring of theKuffaar) will be with their fathers. I said: O Messenger of Allaah! Without they doing any (wrong) action? He said:

Allaah knows best what they would have done. [Musnad Ahmad (24545) but the Hadeeth with this chain is Dha`eef.] And Abu Dawood reported the Hadeeth on the authority of `Aaishah that she asked the Prophet about the offspring of believers. He said:

They are joined to their parents. I asked: Allaahs Messenger! Although they have done nothing? He replied:

Allaah knows best what they would have done. I asked: what happens to the offspring of the Mushriks? He replied:

They are joined to their parents. I asked: Allaahs Messenger! Although they have done nothing? He replied:

Allaah knows best what they would have done. [Sunan Abu Dawood (4712) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] Imaam Ahmad also reported a Hadeeth on the authority of `Aaishah that she mentioned to the Prophet about the children of the Mushriks. He said:

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If you wish, I can make you hear their cries in the Fire. [Musnad Ahmad (25743) but this Hadeeth is Maudhoo` (Fabrcated) see al-Dha`eefah of Shaikh al-Albaanee (3898)] `Abdullaah the son Imaam Ahmad reported on the authority of `Alee (Ibn Abu Taalib) that he said: Khadeejah asked the Messenger of Allaah about her two sons who had died in the Jaahiliyyah. He said:

They are in the Fire. (`Alee ) said: When he saw the sign of dislike on her face, he said:

Were you to see their place in the Fire, you would have hated them. She said: What about my son from you? He said:

They are in Jannah. (`Alee) said: Then the Messenger of Allaah said:

Verily! The believers and their children will be in the Jannah and the Mushriks and their children will be in the Fire. He then recited:

And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants [Surah Toor (52): 21] Ibn Katheer said: This Hadeeth is strange, for Muhammad bin `Uthmaan (one of the narrators) is Majhool (his state of affairs is unknown) and his (Muhammads) Shaikh Zaadaan (another narrator) did not meet `Alee (i.e. the chain of this narration is broken), And Allaah knows best. [al-Dhahabee also graded this narration as Munkar (baseless) in Meezaan al-`Itidaal (3/642) and by al-Albaanee in alDha`eefah (5791). Shaikh al-Albaanee also said its chain is broken in Takhreej Mishkaat al-Maasaabeeh (113)]

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Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan on the authority of Ibn Mas`ood that the Messenger of Allaah said:

The woman who buries alive her new-born girl and the girl who is buried alive both will go to Hell. [Sunan Abu Dawood (4717) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee.] And a group (of scholars) have reported on the authority Salam bin Qais al-Ashja`ee who said: I and my brother went to the Prophet and said to him: Our mother died in the Jaahiliyyah and she used to honor the guest and used to maintain ties of kinship and we had a sister in Jaahiliyyah who did not attain puberty. He said:

The woman who buries alive her new-born girl and the girl who is buried alive both will go to Hell, except for the woman comes to know about Islaam (and she accepts it), then Allaah will pardon her. Ibn Katheer said: the chain of this narration is Hasan. [It was graded as Saheeh by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (453) and Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami` (7143)] The Third opinion: Tawaqquf (Stopping at it and attributing its knowledge to Allaah alone) and relying on the saying of the Prophet : Allaah knows best what they would have done. And this is in the Saheehain from the Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn `Abbaas who said: Allaah's Messenger was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet replied:

Since Allaah created them, He knows what sort of deeds they would have done. and the same has been reported in the Saheehain on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said the same. [References already quoted above under the Fourth Hadeeth.] The fourth opinion: And among them are those who said that they (the infants) will be from the people of al-A`raaf (the elevated plain: referring to Surah al-A`raaf (7): 46-49). And this opinion is similar to the saying of those who said that they will be from the people of Jannah. This is because al-A`raaf is not the final resting place, and in the end, those who are on al-A`raaf will attain the Jannah as we have already discussed this in Surah al-A`raaf. And Allaah knows best. Section (three): Know that this difference of opinion is only regarding the children of the Mushriks. But as for the children of the believers, then there is no difference between the scholars (that they will be in the Jannah) as Qadhee Abu Yu`laa has reported from Imaam Ahmad that he said: No one differs about them (the children

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of the believers) from being the inhabitants of the Jannah. And this is what is famous among the people. And this is what we will stop at, in-shaa Allaah . But as for what Shaikh Abu `Umar bin `Abdul-Barr has reported from some scholars: that they apply Tawaqquf in this regards and that all the children (including the believers as well as the Mushriks) are under the Will of Allaah ( if He Wills, He will forgive them or punish them). Abu `Umar said: those who inclined towards this opinion were some of the scholars of Fiqh (Fuqahaa) and Hadeeth (Muhadditheen), and among them are: Hammaad bin Zaid, Hammaad bin Salamah, Ibn al-Mubaarak, Ishaaq ibn Rahawaih and others than them who said: this is similar to what Imaam Maalik mentioned in his Muwatta under the chapter of al-Qadr and the Ahaadeeth that are mentioned in it and this is what the companions of Imaam Maalik were upon. But there is nothing specific mention from Imaam Maalik regarding this except that his later companions were of the opinion that the children of the believers are in Jannah and the children of the Mushriks are specifically under the Will of Allaah. This is what Ibn `AbdulBarr said, and this is a strange opinion. Abu `Abdullaah al-Qurtobee also reported a similar opinion in his book al-Tadhkirah and Allaah knows best. And in this regards they mention the Hadeeth of `Aaishah who said that Allaahs Messenger was called to lead the funeral prayer of a child of the Ansaar. I said: Allaahs Messenger, there is happiness for this child who is a bird from the birds of Paradise for he committed no sin nor has he reached the age when one can commit sin. He said:

`Aaishah , perhaps, it may be otherwise, because Allaah created for Paradise those who are fit for it while they were yet in their father's loins; and created for Hell those who are to go to Hell. He created them for Hell while they were yet in their father's loins. [Saheeh Muslim (6436)] In order to discuss this issue we need good, sound proof, but people who have no knowledge of Sharee`ah may try to speak about it. For this reason some of the scholars did not like to discuss it. This view has been narrated from Ibn `Abbaas, Al-Qaasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, Muhammad bin AlHanafiyyah and others. Ibn Hibban recorded in his Saheeh that Jareer bin Haazim said: I heard Abu Rajaa Al-`Utaardee saying that he heard Ibn `Abbaas while he was on the Minbar saying: the Messenger of Allaah said:

This Ummah will be fine so long as they do not talk about children and the divine decree. Ibn Hibbaan said: This means talking about the children of the idolaters. 15 www.foodiefahoodie.blogspot.com

[Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (1824), al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/33). Al-Haakim said it is Saheeh as per the condition of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim and we dont know of any defect in it; and al-Dhahabee agreed with him and Shaikh al-Albaanee also agreed with them in al-Saheehah (1515)]

Abu Bakr Al-Bazzaar also recorded it through Jareer bin Haazim and then he said: A group narrated it from Abu Rajaa from Ibn `Abbaas , but it is Mauquf. --end of quote from Tafseer Ibn Katheer. ******* Extra points from Brother Moosaa Richardson: About the children of the mushrikeen who die young (not the children of the muslims) This is an issue that the 'ulamaa' have differed over. I researched this issue last year. I will summarize my research below, mentioning the opinions, some of the evidence for each opinion, and my conclusion. (My original research has many more points of daleel, the sources for all of the positions of the various ulamaa, and a discussion of the authenticity of each proof) The opinions: 1) At-Tawaqquf Ibn `Abbaas and the two Hammaads, Shaafi'ee, Bayhaqee, Ibn Abdil-Barr and others believed that we have to say Allaah knows best and not talk about this issue, based on the statement of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam, when he was asked about the children of the mushrikeen: (( Allaah knows best about what they would have done )) [Bukhaaree and Muslim] I included those 'ulamaa who said that the children of the mushrikeen were under the Will of Allaah in this category, since their statement is identical with a different wording.

2) They are in the Hellfire This is the position of Ibn Hazm and some of the Hanbalees. They use the hadeeth of the Jewish boy who died after accepting Islaam. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said about him Praise to Allaah the One who saved him from the Hellfire, [Bukhaaree & Ahmad] meaning that if he had died without accepting Islaam, he would be in the Hellfire. And they use the hadeeth about every child being born on the fitrah too, and many others.

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3) They are in Jannah Those who hold this position: Al-Qurtubee, Al-Bukhaaree, Ibn Hajr, An-Nawawee, Ibn Al-Jowzee, and others. One of their proofs: The aayah ( No soul shall bear the burden of another, and we are not to punish any people until after sending a messenger to them ) Israa':15 Other proofs they use briefly: The hadeeth of Ibraaheem and the children around him from Bukhaaree, And the children of the mushrikeen The pen is lifted off of three... the boy until he becomes of age (reaches puberty) At-Tirmithee There is no child except he is born upon the fitrah and many others

4) They will be tested This is the position of Abul-Hasan Al-Ash'aree, Ibn Katheer, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim, Al-Albaanee, and Ibn Baaz, and others. They based their position on the hadeeth of the imtihaan, one of its wordings as found in the Mu'jam Kabeer of At-Tabaraanee: The incompetent one, the one who died in the period between messengers, and the one who died as a child will be brought forth on the Day of Judgement... Then the hadeeth mentions that they will be asked to enter a piece of the Hellfire as a test of their obedience to Allaah... and if they enter it (the fire) it will be cool and calm on them and in one narration, So then these (those who refuse) will enter the Fire, and those (those who obeyed) will enter the Jannah. This hadeeth has numerous routes and they are gathered and mentioned in Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth AsSaheehah #2468.

5) They are the servants of the people of Jannah Al-Hasan Al-Basree from the earlier scholars said this, as well as Al-Albaanee from the later ones. They rely on the hadeeth of Anas:

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The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was asked about the children of the Mushrikeen. He said: They have no sins to be punished for and thus become from the people of the Hellfire, nor do they have any good deeds to be rewarded for and become from the people of Jannah, they are the servants of the people of Jannah. Hasan lighayrihi according to Al-Albaanee. See Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #1468.

6) They will be turned into dust (!) This has been reported to be the position of Thamaamah ibn Ashras. This opinion has no clear evidence.

7) They are in LIMBO between Jannah and the Hellfire (!) Some of the 'ulamaa' have mentioned this postion, however it also has no clear evidence.

These are the different positions that have reached me. As for the conclusion to my research, after discarding the weak narrations, and thinking carefully about the narrations, I saw a way to combine all of the authentic narrations within one answer, and that is: 1) They are from the mushrikeen in the dunyaa, and this explains the hadeeth: They (the children of the mushrikeen) are from them (the mushrikeen). As this was referring to their hukm in the dunyaa, ie if they are killed in a war unintentionally, then they are from them. 2) They will be tested in the Hereafter 3) Whoever disobeys Allaah in this test, will be from the people of the hellfire. 4) Whoever obeys Allaah in this test, they will go to the Jannah. 5) Whoever goes to the Jannah from them, they will be a servant to the people of Jannah. 6) We make tawaqquf about the specific individuals from them, ie we do not say that John the son of Henry Jones is in the Hellfire or the Jannah. Then the last part of my research included refutations of each of the other statements. I reviewed this research with Dr. Muhammad Baazmool who said, You came to the right conclusion, except he said that I did not make a distinction between the boy who is mumayyiz and the boy who is too young to understand Islaam. If anyone requests further evidences or other information on this subject, then they can purchase the CDs on this topic from TROID in shaa' Allaah:

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http://www.troid.org/store/cds/ And Allaah knows best. For further reading on this topic, I would suggest the following most important books of reference: 1) Ibn Katheer's tafseer of Soorah Israa':15 2) Fat-hul-Baaree 3/300 in explanation of the hadeeth of Ibraaheem and the children around him 3) At-Tathkirah of Al-Qurtubee (p.552) 4) At-Tamheed of Ibn Abdil-Barr (6/377) 5) Al-I'tiqaad of Al-Bayhaqee (p.195) 6) Sharh An-Nawawee, the relative chapters (8/428 and in that neighborhood) 7) Tareeq Al-Hijratayn of Ibn Al-Qayyim (p.584) 8) Majmoo' Al-Fataawaa of Ibn Taymiyyah (24/373) The first four are the best by far in terms of gathering the statements of the 'ulamaa', and there are others like 'Awn Al-Ma'bood, Ash-Sharee'ah, Ma'aarij Al-Qabool, etc. --end of quote.

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