About those who do not receive the Message of Islam

Although in this age of mass-information the true message of Islam can be spread to almost all the people of this world but considering lack of Da'wah interest among Muslims, it is true for many people, unfortunately.

As to those people who do not receive the true message of Islam, we can say that they are innocent and are perhaps not subject to be questioned for this as they are not the ones to stubbornly reject the Message of Islam.

Holy Quran says;

"Allah tasks not a soul beyond its scope."
(Al-Quran 2:286)

Truly such people are innocent and will not be punished no matter whatever they do.
ALLAH says in the Holy Quran;

"We never punish until we have sent a messenger."
(Al-Quran 17:15)

So if none of the Muslims, who are bound to do the duty of the Messengers as there is no Messenger to come after Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), takes the message of Islam to the non-believers and if they dont even receive the same through any of the modern means, then they such people will not be questioned for that. This verse helps us reach this conclusion.

Imam Ghazali (May ALLAH bless him) even included in this category the people who see only the distorted picture of Islam. This may include the people in the West who only get to the negative stereotype of Islam. In Imam Ghazali's view such people are excused until they receive the undistorted and pure, pristine Message of Islam.
(See Faysal al - tafriqa, Majmu'a rasa'il al-Imam al-Ghazali, 3.96)

And such people will be tested on the Day of Judgment. The following Hadith clarifies the whole thing:

Holy Prophet (PBUH) 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 (Quran 5:19) (break in the Prophetic chain between Jesus and Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both). As for the deaf man, he will say, "O Lord, Islam came but I never heard anything.'' As for the insane man, he will say, "O Lord, Islam came and the young boys were throwing camel dung at me.'' As for the senile man, he will say, "O Lord, Islam 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.'' Allah 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 Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, it will be cool and safe for them.
(Musnad Ahmed Hadith 15712, Haithmi said its narrators are sound (See Majma’ Al-Zawaid 7/216) )

Elsewhere we find these words as well: "Whoever enters it will find it cool and safe, and whoever does not enter it will be dragged into it."
(Musnad Ishaq bin Rahwiyya 1/123, Classified as Sahih by Baihiqi in Al-'Itiqad)

Hope all this clarifies.

INDEED ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST !!!

...by Waqar Akbar Cheema