Non-Muslim Children and Heaven
In Islam, it is believed that non-Muslim children will be in heaven based on the Qur’an and Hadith. However, it is also important to understand that not everyone will be in heaven. First, we need to understand the reasoning before including references.
- In Islam, suppose a Christian, Hindu, or Jewish child dies before developing an understanding of God or religion—which most children do not understand before the age of 10-12 nowadays—then if such a child dies, he/she will be in heaven. This is based on the idea that God knows the future. For example, if I have a child but I am not a Muslim, and my child dies due to any reason, my child actually testified to the oneness of God before he/she was born, which makes him/her a Muslim. However, God will decide based on whether the child, if allowed to live and grow, would have accepted the message or not. God knows the answer.
Releted: Are We All Born Atheists?
The concept of predestination applies to the fate of children, as their time of death is already decreed by Allah. No one can alter this except in cases where a life is taken intentionally. If a child dies, it is because Allah Himself predestined that moment—whether it be tomorrow at 1 PM or at any other time. Their death, regardless of the cause, aligns with divine decree. However, there exists a rare exception where some children might not go to heaven despite their predetermined lifespan being, for example, 30 years. In such cases, Allah, in His infinite wisdom, may choose to take them away at an earlier age. This suggests that Allah foresaw their future actions as corrupt and harmful to humanity, and by taking their lives early, He prevented them from committing great evil.
A clear example of this concept is found in Surah Al-Kahf (18:80-81), where Khidr, by Allah’s command, takes the life of a child:
“And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and We feared that he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should replace him with one better in righteousness and nearer to mercy.” (Qur’an 18:60-81)
The reason given is that the child was destined to grow into a source of disbelief and hardship for his righteous parents. Allah, in His mercy, replaced him with a better offspring. This shows that some children, though appearing innocent, may have been foreseen by Allah as destined for destruction and harm. Thus, in Allah’s judgment, they are not considered innocent. It is crucial to understand this principle so that we do not make absolute claims that all children will enter heaven. While the vast majority of children will indeed be in paradise, a small number—whom Allah has foreseen as a cause of great evil—may not attain it. Only Allah knows who falls into this category, as He alone has knowledge of the unseen and the future.
Al-Khidr knew about the unseen (ghayb) only because Allah directly informed him. He did not have independent knowledge of the future but was given divine knowledge by Allah for specific matters.
Evidence from the Qur’an – Surah Al-Kahf (18:65):
And they found a servant from among Our servants to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.” (Qur’an 18:65)
📖Quran 17:15
And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
Based on this verse, God does not punish anyone who has not received the message. This applies to both children and other people. Suppose a person is Hindu or Christian and dies without knowing Islam; God knows whether that person would have accepted the message if they had received it. Please try to understand the concept—if you are a non-Muslim and did not know about Islam or its message, God knows whether you would have believed it if you had received it. Therefore, God will judge you based on that knowledge, as He knows your final outcome. Alternatively, He may give you a test in the hereafter, allowing you to choose again for yourself, Now, I know you might say, Then why did I tell you?” That’s what’s important, God knows your outcome. It was already known by God that you would say this. So, it’s not based on honesty, as you didn’t know, but you are just avoiding it yourself, so you are responsible, However, this concept will apply to fewer people, due to the fact, as I described about children or for other people’s outcomes, we can’t declare everyone. But it’s common to understand that a few people will fall into this category.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 1383
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Since Allah created them, He knows what sort of deeds they would have done.”
The term ‘pagan’ refers to anyone who worships idols Or even associate others with God, not just Hindus, but also many other nations that existed before them. This applies to them as well. Allah knows the outcome. This hadith also provides a description of human free will, and as I explained, some deaths of child occur based on the outcome rather than predestination. It doesn’t mean that Allah didn’t know, but it means He wrote down a time, seen the actions, and then altered it. He had the answer to your question. He will tell you: ‘I gave you a 50-year lifespan, and then you committed this act at that age. At that time, I saw it before your actions, I determined the age, and then altered it.
Releted: Free Will and Predestination in Islam
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 7047
Abraham and the children around him are those children who die with Al-Fitra (the Islamic Faith). The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! What about the children of pagans?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “And also the children of pagans.
- This hadith highlights an important aspect of Islamic belief concerning the fate of children, including those of non-Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) responded to a question from some Muslims about the fate of the children of pagans, confirming that they too are in Heaven. This shows that children, regardless of their parents’ religious background, are born with a pure and untainted nature, aligned with *Al-Fitra*—the innate state of belief in Allah. The hadith emphasizes that these children are in Heaven. However, it’s important to note that they are not in their physical form but as pure spirits, untouched by sin. Their physical bodies will be given to them on the Day of Judgment.
How Can They Be Happy in Heaven?
The question often arises: if someone’s parents or loved ones are in Hell and they are in Heaven, how can they truly be happy? The answer is simple: in Heaven, believers will experience fulfillment in a way that transcends earthly attachments. The greatest joy in Paradise is the ability to witness Allah, whose nature is unlike anything we can imagine. Allah is not like humans, animals, or any created being. He is beyond everything—angels, Satan, humans, animals, the sun, the moon, stars, and the entire universe. His essence is incomparable to anything in creation. In Paradise, the ultimate happiness comes from being in the presence of Allah and enjoying His mercy and blessings, which far surpass any earthly bond or desire.
Additional Information
It’s important to carefully understand the concept discussed in the article, as simply reading it without deep reflection might lead to confusion. If you are familiar with the beliefs of Christianity or Judaism, you may find it easier to grasp, as the concept of purity and innate belief in God aligns with certain theological ideas in those faiths. However, it’s crucial to read the text thoughtfully, not just at a surface level, to fully appreciate the meaning. I’ve also explained the points in detail to ensure clarity and a deeper understanding of the topic.