In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
CONTENTS:
- Are all Non-Muslims going to hell?
- Who is kafir (Disbeliever) ?
- The real Disbeliever is mentioned in the Quran
- Quran verses distinguish between the Non-believer and Disbeliever
- How Allah judge people
- Test in the day of judgement
- Conclusion
Note: This was my serious doubt before I started to understand the Quran. Alhamdulillah, The Quran itself cleared it for me. There are many evidence from Quran for this topic. but I only mentioned few. It is better to read the Quran with open heart to understand this topic.
Are all Non-Muslims going to hell?
Short Answer is: No
Only God knows who will go to Paradise and who will go to Hell. Therefore, it is forbidden for a Muslim to judge who will go to heaven or hell. It is the duty of a believer to make people aware of the truth of Islam through his actions and advices. After that judgement is belongs to Allah. One thing is for sure, it is not the view of Islam that all non-Muslims will go to hell. A Muslim who has read and understood the Qur'an will not say that all non-Muslims will go to hell. We do not even know what will be our fate in hereafter.
Allah only punish people after they got sufficient knowledge. And those who didn't understand that Islam is the truth, they will be tested in the judgement day according to some authentic hadiths and Quran is also indicating it in one verse. I will explain it in last section.
Let us now examine.
This Question is not a new one, this was asked by pharaoh to Moses. Quran says:
[Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?"
[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
(Quran 20 : 51-52)
Although many other verses of the Qur'an refer to this, here
is a very important verse. It says about a question that Allah is going to ask
the prophets on the Day of Judgment.
“The Day when Allah will assemble the messengers and say, "What was the response you received?" They will say, "We have no knowledge. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen" (Quran 5:109)
If non-Muslims go to hell, then the Prophets do not need to
answer like this. Because all the Prophets were disbelieved by some of their
people, so the Prophets could say who believed in Allah and who did not.
Quran says that the person who reject Allah's message and signs (Kafir), the hypocrites and wrongdoers are going to Hell. Only those non-Muslims who, after receiving and understanding the uncorrupted message of Islam, reject that message and die in that state of disbelief will enter hell. And in the case of hypocrites, they are actually among Muslims but they are practicing or following Allah's commands only in front of people. They are just showing off. Allah says in the Quran those hypocrite will be in the lowest division of the hell, because they got sufficient knowledge and used to disobeying Allah.
Whoever chooses to be guided, it is only for their own good. And whoever chooses to stray, it is only to their own loss. No soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another. And We would never punish ˹a people˺ until We have sent a messenger ˹to warn them˺. (Quran 17:15)
“Allah would never consider a people deviant after He has guided them, until He makes clear to them what they must avoid. Surely Allah has ˹full˺ knowledge of everything.” (Quran 9:115)
“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.” (Quran 2:281)
“And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah [i.e., the Qur’ān]. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are folk who do not know anything.” (Quran 9:6)
“And there is no sin on you if you make a mistake therein, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 33:5)
“This is because your Lord would not destroy the (populations of) towns for their wrongdoing (i.e. associating others in worship along with Allaah) while their people were unaware” (Quran 6:130-131)
We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account. (Quran 21:47)
It is clear that Allah will not be unjust to anybody.
Who is kafir (Disbeliever) ?
The original, Arabic word for "disbeliever" in the
Quran is "Kafir", which means “he became a rejecter of, or a denier
of”. It never explicitly stated Christians, or Jews, or other non-muslims. Even
Moses was called "Kafir" when he rejected Pharaoh's tyrannic rule.
Yet we all get confused when we read the translated versions of the Quran and
think that "Kafir" refers to all non-muslims- Christians, Hindus,
Buddhists etc. That's a pretty scary misconception isn't it?
The word "non-believer" and "disbeliever" are not same.
Non-believer is someone who is outside of the faith, either
by choice or because they haven't been told.
Disbeliever implies a deliberate and definite rejection of
the belief.
In fact, "Kafir" is a term to describe the person
who covers/ hides/rejects. Hence in the Quran, "Kafir" refers to the
person who rejects the message of Islam. But for this rejection of the message
to occur in the first place, the person committing "kafir" has to
obtain the message first in a pure form.
This leads us to splitting all the people on Earth into 4
groups:
- Those who are totally ignorant to Islam
- Those who receive the message of Islam and believe
- Those who heard about Islam in incomplete/misguided form and disbelieve (many of us).
- those who have knowledge but reject it. (They are subjected to hell)
The disbelievers are Two types. First one is disbelieved due to lack of understanding. And another one is disbelieved knowingly that Islam is the truth. So first one may have excuses in the day of judgement.
“On the Day when every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged” (Quran 16:111)
The real Disbeliever is mentioned in the Quran:
"Moses replied, “You know well that none has sent these ˹signs˺ down except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as insights. And I really think that you, O Pharaoh, that you are doomed.” (Quran 17:102)
Here is what Musa (as) says to Pharaoh. I hope you understand very well that this is from the Creator, And I think that you will be among the losers. Later, in the Quran, it was said that Pharaoh is the Inhabitant in Hell. Here is the reason why he is going to hell, That he had received clear evidence and acted contrary to it.
Allah will ask to the people of Hell fire:
"Are you not those to whom My revelations were recited, and then you used to deny them?" (Quran 23:105)
“Every time a group is cast therein [into Hell], its keeper will ask, Did no warner come to you? They will say, Yes indeed; a warner did come to us, but we belied him and said: Allaah never sent down anything (of revelation), you are only in great error.” (Quran 67: 8-9)
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers." (Quran 39:71)
So it is clear that, a person who has never heard of Islam,
and who has never heard the message in its correct and true form, will not be
punished by Allah if he dies in a state of kufr (disbelief).
“The disbelievers among the People of the Book and the polytheists would not want you to receive any blessing from your Lord, but Allah selects whoever He wills for His mercy. And Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty.” (Quran 2:105)
“Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from misbelief]1 until there came to them clear evidence” (Quran 98:1)
“Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.” (Quran 98:6)
Very clearly not all Polytheists, Jews or Christian or
non-Muslims are kafir in the Quran which is why the verses specifically refer
to only the kafir among these people. Not all.
To summarize, the Quran does not identify kafir by his/her
belief system or faith but by certain specific characteristics that make the
person an active enemy of Religion, God and the people of faith. A kafir is one
who actively hinders people from practicing their faith, persecutes people of
faith, opposes humanitarian practices such as giving of charity, shunning usury
etc. A kafir could be a Muslim, Jew, Christian, polytheist, atheist and the
term is faith neutral.
“Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others (in this world). But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction” (Quran 17:21)
“And for all are degrees from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do” (Quran 6:132)
“And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated." (Quran 15:43-44)
Allah says that, there are divisions in the paradise and
hell according to our deeds. Allah will judge us based on what we get (mental
& physical ability, knowledge, blessings, trials etc) and how we reflected
towards it. Quran says:
“And We have revealed to you, the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” (Quran 5:48)
“Whether they are the ones who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), or whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians – all who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and do righteous deeds – their reward is surely secure with their Lord; they need have no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran 2:62)
“Indeed, the believers, Jews, Sabians1 and Christians—whoever ˹truly˺ believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.”(Quran 5:69)
Here Allah also refers to the fate of believers from other faiths. This is because they were followers of the early prophets of God. It is another fact that those messages have not been changed today. However, many in the time of the Prophet Muhammad believed in Allah alone and lived according to the rules and regulations from Allah. Therefore, Allah will not question them for not receiving the latest and last instructions from Allah. It also indicates that Allah will reward them for what they have done according to what they got.
So the base of reward is based on the truthfulness, Allah says:
“Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment.” (Quran 5:119)
Allah will not charge or question a soul beyond it's capacity:
“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity…” (Quran 2:286)
Means, Allah will not ask a soul beyond its ability. If a
person fails a trial beyond what he can bear, Then Allah will not question
him for it, he may forgive him. Only God knows what is the capacity of each one. That is why
Prophet Muhammad said that you should not judge anyone. This only demonstrates
Allah's kindness, compassion and generosity towards His creation.
And Allah will never be unjust in the day of judgement. Allah says:
“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.” (Quran 2:281)
So it is clear that Allah only ask you about what you get and what you did with that.
If you get enough guidance from Allah and do against it, then you will be subjected to Hell.
If you got a good chance to find the truth and became lazy because of the worldly gains. Then you will be subjected to the Hell.
If anybody didn't get sufficient guidance from Allah, then they will be tested in hereafter.
Test in the day of judgement:
A person who has never heard of Islam or the Prophet SAWS
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and who has never heard the message
in its correct and true form, will not be punished by Allah if he dies in a
state of kufr (disbelief). If it were asked what his fate will be, the answer
will be that Allah will test him on the Day of Resurrection: if he obeys, he
will enter Paradise and if he disobeys he will enter Hell. The evidence for
this is the hadeeth of al-Aswad ibn Saree, who reported that the Prophet of Allah
SAWS (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"here are four (who will protest) to Allaah on the Day of Resurrection: the deaf man who never heard anything, the insane man, the very old man, and the man who died during the fatrah (the interval between the time of Eesaa (Jesus, upon whom be peace) and the time of Muhammad SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)). The deaf man will say, O Lord, Islam came but I never heard anything. The insane man will say, O Lord, Islam came but the children ran after me and threw stones at me. The very old man will say, O Lord, Islam came but I did not understand anything. The man who died during the fatrah will say, O Lord, no Messenger from You came to me. He will accept their promises of obedience, then word will be sent to them to enter the Fire. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, it will be cool and safe for them. and whoever does not enter it will be dragged to it.”
(The hadeeth was reported by Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan,
and deemed saheeh (Authentic) by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami, 881).
Allah says in the Quran:
“So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees.
Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence.
Then of course, We are most aware of those who are more deserving to enter it (the Hell).
And there is none of you except he will approach it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.
Then We will save those who feared (feared Allah) and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.” (Quran 19:68-72)
Here Allah says very accurately: Allah will gather all human
beings to nearest of Hell. After that All the worst people (great sinners,
disbelievers, hypocrites etc ) will get into the hell and Allah will save
others from it. There must be some reason for Allah to take everyone closer to
Hell. Therefore, these verses indicates the trials of the Day of Judgment.
There is another Hadith relates to this:
“……Then the bridge will be laid across Hell.’ We said, "O Messenger of Allah! What is the bridge?’ He said, ‘It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (hooks like) thorns which are wide at one side and narrow at the other and have bent ends. A plant with such thorns is found in Najd and is called al-Sa'daan. Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, or fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hell (Fire). The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge).”
The siraat is a bridge that will be set up over Hell – may
Allah protect us from it – over which people will pass according to their
deeds. Some will pass like the blink of an eye, or like lightning, or like the
wind, or like swift horses. Some will cross running, some walking, some
crawling, and some will be snatched and thrown into the Fire, each according to
his deeds.
There may be different tests, We can't imagine anything without clear knowledge except what Allah given to us.
There Quran also indicates that Some people may come to the paradise after the true believers. May be after facing the punishment or trials.
“Those (believers) are the ones who hasten towards good works, and it is they who will reach it first (in paradise).” (Quran 23:61)
Here Allah says about the believers, they will come to the paradise at first. Therefore it also indicates some people are also coming to paradise after them. May be after a long period. Only Allah knows best.
Why Allah didn't clearly mention about the test in Quran?
Conclusion:
The type of ignorance for which a person is excused is that
whereby he does not know about the truth and no one mentions the truth to him.
This may be a reason why he cannot be labelled a sinner and he cannot be
labelled as his deed would dictate. Then if he claims to be a Muslim and
testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah, then he is to be regarded as one of them. If he does not claim to be a
Muslim, then in this world he is to be deemed a member of the religion to which
he belongs.
As for the hereafter, his case is like that of people who
lived in the period between Prophets, and he will be judged by Allah, may He be
glorified and exalted, on the Day of Resurrection. The soundest scholarly
opinion concerning them is that they will be tested in whatever way Allah
wills; whoever among them obeys will enter Paradise, and whoever among them
disobeys will enter Hell.
