Can i pray that whosoever has died without knowing what Islam really is Or who God really is, receives Allah's Mercy? Because i wonder about all those who haven't heard a thing about it... and it scares me how many people will end up in a place that noone would want to be in... :S I have so many questions pertaining to this issue as it troubles me a lot. For me, Allah is Just and knows how to judge... and He can save them if He wills... Because there have been many people who were pious and led great lives without knowing Islam. I'd like to think that Allah SWT will give them Justice and His Mercy inshAllah...
thanks for the help...
It's a kind thought but that's not how it works.
As for after their death, it is impermissible (haram) to make dua for forgiveness and the like for a non-Muslim, for Allah Most High said, “It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to pray for the forgiveness of unbelievers even though they may be near of kin after it has become clear that they are people of hell-fire.” [Qur’an, 9: 113]
As for making dua that Allah give them that which is best for them, or that which they deserve, even after death, while consigning their affairs to Allah, there is nothing wrong with this.
Its a fact that people will go to hellfire and those who die on shirk will stay there forever. Those who die without knowing Islam, Allah will test them how He wishes and judge them based on that. So that is between them and Allah, so don't worry about them or making dua for them as that is not our place.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "The first man to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam who will be shown his offspring, and it will be said to them, 'This is your father, Adam.' Adam will say (responding to the call), 'Labbaik and Sa'daik' Then Allah will say (to Adam), 'Take out of your offspring, the people of Hell.' Adam will say, 'O Lord, how many should I take out?' Allah will say, 'Take out ninety-nine out of every hundred." They (the Prophet's companions) said, "O Allah's Apostle! If ninety-nine out of every one hundred of us are taken away, what will remain out of us?" He said, "My followers in comparison to the other nations are like a white hair on a black ox.
Bukhari, Book 8, Volume 76, Hadith 536
And yes, all those who die before puberty, will not be responsible inshAllah. They lived lives according to their parents instructions. and i hope same is the case with the people who have abnormalities that pertain to brain, etc.
It has nothing to do with what their parents taught them. Those who have not hit puberty are regarded as children and innocent in Islam and therefore free from sin. Same goes for the ones affected mentally.
The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The Pen is lifted from three (i.e., their deeds are not recorded):
- a child until he reaches puberty;
- an insane man until he comes to his senses;
- one who is asleep until he wakes up.”
[Recorded in Abu Dawud #4403, and Ibn Majah #2041]
This is an important
hadith, fundamental to usool-ul-fiqh. This hadith applies in practically every situation and with every issue. It gives us understandings such as that children don’t need to pray or fast prior to puberty, that the insane are not criminally liable, and so on.