Can Non-Muslims Be Saved From Hell?
By Prof Dato Dr Mohd Asri bin Zainul Abidin
Mufti of Perlis, Malaysia
There are those who ask: there are many non-Muslims in this world who die without knowing about Islam. They are regarded as having died as disbelievers (kafir). Perhaps they knew about Islam but did not understand it. Do they still enter Hell?
This is an important question. Many Muslims assume that anyone who is not a Muslim in this world will definitely enter Hell. There are several matters we need to understand regarding this issue.
1. The View of Hujjatul Islam Imam al-Ghazali (d. 505H)
In his work Faisal al-Tafriqah bain al-Islam wa al-Zandaqah, Imam al-Ghazali mentioned those who are saved by the mercy of Allah from the punishment of Hell. Among his points, he stated:
"I say that most of the Roman Christians and Turks of this era are included in this mercy—by Allah's will—specifically those in the distant lands of Rome and Turkey whom the message (da'wah) has not reached. They fall into three categories:
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(Category 1): Those who have never heard of the name Muhammad at all. They are excused.
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(Category 2): Those who have heard the name Muhammad, his characteristics, and his evident miracles. These people live near Muslim lands and interact with Muslims. These are clear disbelievers (kuffar).
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(Category 3): Those who fall between these two states. They have heard the name Muhammad ﷺ, but not his true qualities and traits. Instead, they have heard since childhood that a "deceiver" named Muhammad claimed to be a prophet... in my opinion, these people are like the first category. Even though they heard the name of Muhammad, they also heard things that contradicted his true nature. This did not motivate them to seek the truth."
This statement by Imam al-Ghazali, even though spoken during his time, illustrates that anyone who has not received a clear proof (hujjah) about Islam—even if they know the name of Islam—is not included among the disbelievers who deserve punishment in Hell. This is especially true in our era, where the true face of Islam is often misrepresented, and some Muslims themselves act in ways that confuse others about the true faith. God is Most Merciful to all His servants.
2. Barriers to the Message
Many barriers have stood, and continue to stand, as a wall preventing the true light of Islam from reaching people. This includes the underdevelopment of Muslim nations that are often in chaos, conflict, and turmoil. The poor conduct of some Muslims who dominate the scene fails to provide a good example for the global community.
Added to this is the Western mass media that portrays a negative image of Islam, often supported by the actions of Muslims themselves. Look at the oppression in certain regions, the instability in others, and the corruption or bloodshed within parts of the Arab world. Groups claiming to perform "jihad" while carrying out bombings use the "label," "brand," and "symbol" of Islam, causing the true Islam to become dim and blurred. All of these are mountains and hills blocking the light of Islam's true beauty from reaching the souls of most people today. Therefore, it would not be just for Allah to punish them in the afterlife under such conditions. Allah says:
وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ
"And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants." (Fussilat: 46).
3. The Difficulty of Seeking the Truth
It cannot be denied that some have received clear explanations through the ways Allah willed. However, not everyone has that opportunity. We might say: "They can search for the true Islam on the internet." Unfortunately, information on the internet is a mix of truth and falsehood, beauty and ugliness.
There are countless sects and schools of thought within Muslim society. If those born into Muslim communities -some of them- are confused, what more those who are just starting to search? Furthermore, not everyone has the ability to analyze information, nor does everyone have enough time. There are many who are elderly or lack sufficient education. Also, not everyone realizes that they are not on the path of guidance.
In the past, Salman al-Farisi traveled from Persia to find the Prophet with great hardship, but how many people are as determined as he was? Persia only received Islam after the death of the Prophet ﷺ when the armies of Umar bin al-Khattab arrived. If Allah makes it mandatory for everyone to do as Salman did, it would be a burden beyond human capacity.
4. The Principle of Divine Justice
Scholars agree on a principle emphasized by the Quran: Allah will not punish anyone until a Messenger has been sent. Anyone who has not received the true teachings of a Messenger, where the proof is so established that there is no reason for doubt, will not be punished by Allah. As Allah states:
وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
(Meaning) "And We never punish until We have sent a messenger." (Surah al-Isra’: 15).
This is what saves non-Muslims who have not received the proof of guidance. In fact, it also saves ignorant Muslims who were not taught the evidence regarding specific practices or beliefs in Islam. Al-Sa’di mentions in his commentary (tafsir): "Allah is Most Just; He will not punish anyone unless the proof is established through the sending of a messenger and that person rejects it. As for those whom the proof of Allah did not reach, they will not be punished."
5. Proof from the Quran and Hadith
This is further strengthened by the words of Allah:
رُسُلًا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
(Meaning) "[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument (hujjah) against Allah after the messengers. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (al-Nisa: 165).
Also, in an authentic (sahih) hadith narrated by al-Bukhari, it is told that Allah forgave an act of disbelief caused by ignorance:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: " كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُسْرِفُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَهُ المَوْتُ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ: إِذَا أَنَا مُتُّ فَأَحْرِقُونِي، ثُمَّ اطْحَنُونِي، ثُمَّ ذَرُّونِي فِي الرِّيحِ، فَوَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ قَدَرَ عَلَيَّ رَبِّي لَيُعَذِّبَنِّي عَذَابًا مَا عَذَّبَهُ أَحَدًا، فَلَمَّا مَاتَ فُعِلَ بِهِ ذَلِكَ، فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ الأَرْضَ فَقَالَ: اجْمَعِي مَا فِيكِ مِنْهُ، فَفَعَلَتْ، فَإِذَا هُوَ قَائِمٌ، فَقَالَ: مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى مَا صَنَعْتَ؟ قَالَ: يَا رَبِّ خَشْيَتُكَ، فَغَفَرَ لَهُ
From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet ﷺ, he said: "There was once a man who was despairing of himself. When death approached, he said to his children: 'When I die, burn me, grind me to powder, then scatter me in the wind. By Allah! If my Lord catches me, He will punish me with a punishment He has never inflicted on anyone else.' When he died, his wish was carried out. Then Allah commanded the earth: 'Gather what is in you of him.' The earth did so, and the man stood (was resurrected). Allah asked: 'What made you do what you did?' He answered: 'O my Lord, it was out of fear of You.' So Allah forgave him."
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852H), while explaining this hadith in Fath al-Bari, quoted al-Khattabi who said: "This hadith might be confusing as to how he was forgiven when he seemed to doubt the Resurrection and Allah’s power to revive the dead. The answer is that he did not intentionally deny it, but was ignorant, thinking that if he did that, he would not be resurrected and punished. His faith was shown through his admission that he did it out of fear of Allah."
Syeikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) in his work al-Istiqamah commented on this hadith: "This man believed that Allah was unable to gather him if he did that, or he doubted that Allah would resurrect him. Both beliefs are disbelief (kufr) for those whom the proof has been established. However, this man was ignorant of that and the knowledge to remove his ignorance had not reached him. Despite that, he had faith in Allah, His commands and prohibitions, and His promises of reward and punishment. He feared the consequences, and so he was forgiven due to that fear."
Ibn Taymiyyah added further: "Therefore, anyone among the believers in Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter who performs righteous deeds but makes a mistake in some matters of creed (aqidah) is certainly not worse than that man. Allah will forgive his mistakes, or punish him if he was negligent in seeking the truth, according to the level of his religious commitment. As for declaring an individual a disbeliever (takfir) whose faith is known simply because of such a mistake, that is a great error." (Ibn Taimiyyah, al-Istiqamah, 1/168).
6. The Contextual Nature of Proof
Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jauziyyah (d. 751H) in his work Tariq al-Hijratain states: "Punishment is deserved for two reasons: first, refusing to hear the proof and refusing to accept or act upon its requirements. Second, being stubborn after the proof has been established and abandoning the related responsibilities. The first type is 'disbelief of turning away' (kufr al-i'rad) and the second is 'disbelief of stubbornness' (kufr al-'inad). As for disbelief due to ignorance where the proof was not established and there was no ability to recognize the proof, this is the type that Allah will not punish until the messenger's proof is established."
Furthermore, Ibn Qayyim says: "The establishment of proof (hujjah) varies according to time, place, and the individual. Proof might be considered established against disbelievers in one era but not in another. It may be established in one place or region but not in another. Similarly, it may be established for one person but not for another." (p. 438. Cairo: Maktabah al-Mutanabi).
7. In conclusion, if a non-Muslim receives enough information about Islam to be convinced of its truth, but still refuses to become a Muslim and believe in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), then they are a disbeliever (kafir). For such a person, Allah has decreed the punishment of Hell. Similarly, if someone has the opportunity to hear the true message of Islam but deliberately refuses to listen to avoid any commitment, they are also a disbeliever who has earned a place in Hell.
However, if a non-Muslim does not have the chance to hear the true teachings of Islam at a level that could truly convince them of its truth, Allah will not punish such people. This includes those who never had the opportunity to hear about Islam, those who did not receive enough information to believe, and those who received a wrong or distorted version of Islam and rejected it because of that misinformation.
8. Ultimately, we must be certain that Allah knows the true condition of every one of His servants. He chooses whom He wills and He guides whom He wills. He also forgives whom He wills. He is All-Knowing of everything, including the things that are hidden from the knowledge of His creation.
