The Meaning of the Supplication for a Child: And Protect Him by Your Mercy from the Punishment of the Blazing Fire

Question:
Honorable Shaykh! In the supplication for a deceased child, it is said, "Protect him by Your mercy from the punishment of the Blazing Fire." Does this hadith imply that the children of Muslims may enter the Fire?

Answer:
The Muslim children who died before reaching puberty are treated as Muslims: they are washed, shrouded, and prayed over, and they are buried in Muslim cemeteries. They are treated as Muslims, and it is hoped that they are among the people of Paradise and that they will intercede for their parents. Therefore, in the supplication after the funeral prayer for a child, it is included to say, "O Allah, make him a forerunner, a reward, and an abundance, and an intercessor whose intercession is accepted." It is supplicated that Allah makes him a forerunner for his parents and an intercessor who intercedes for them in Paradise. However, it is hoped that they are among the people of Paradise and that they are spared, and that they are forerunners for their parents; this is what is supplicated. As for being certain of this, it is referred to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).