The Ruling on Those to Whom the Call of Islam Did Not Reach

Q: There are millions in this world to whom the call of Islam has not reached. What is their ruling? Is their destiny Hellfire? If the answer is yes, what is their sin, given that the message of Islam did not reach them? Or will they enter Paradise? But how will they enter it when they did not fulfill their Lord’s obligations in this world? I ask for clarification on this matter. May Allah reward you with good.

A: The best that has been said about this category of people is that they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever obeys the command will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys will enter the Fire. This is based on the saying of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He: [Al-Isra: 15].
The scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) elaborated on this group in the final part of his book *Tariq al-Hijratayn fi Bahthi Tabaqat al-Mukallafin* (The Path of the Two Migrations in the Study of the Ranks of Those Obligated). Whoever wishes to know more should refer to it, where he will find what is satisfying and sufficient, if Allah wills. And success is from Allah.