Is circumstances of birth responsible for going to Heaven or Hell?
Allaah is Just and has made oppression forbidden for Himself: How then do people entertain the idea that the process of entering Heaven or Hell is a rigged one because some people are born into a non-Muslim Families by Divine Decree
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Islam encourages intellectual and rational thinking and it equally solidifies the fact that, the concept of belief or rather religion has much to do with the ability of Man to believe in the Unseen (Ghaib).
Interestingly, in its introduction, Qur’an boldly and unequivocally states that “This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons who fear Allaah much).†Qur’an 2:2
In describing Al-Muttaqoon (the pious one) whom Allaah says are guided by the Qur’an, the strongest feature of Belief was used and that is; “Who believe in Gahib (Unseen)..†Undoubtedly, the matter of Heaven and Hell is from amongst The Unseen which our finite minds cannot completely comprehend.
In discussing issues pertaining to Islam, certain principles have to be assimilated otherwise, things will not be seen from their right perspectives.
That Allaah the Exalted, is Just and All- Wise, just as He states in several places in the Glorious Qur’an. “The All-Knower, The All-Wise†Q2:32; “The All-Mighty, The All-Wise†Q2:129; “The All-Wise, Well-Acquainted with all things†Q6:18. “Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise†Q12:83
Based on the Justice, The Wisdom, The all-Encompassing Knowledge of Allaah, all of which are infinite, man tends to find it difficult to comprehend simple realities. Man’s finite mind cannot comprehend the infinity with Allaah the Exalted. Thus, some become misled by their confused thoughts.
Allaah is far above being unjust towards His slaves in the slightest. Allaah says: “Truly, Allaah wrongs not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves†Qur’an 10:44.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “ “Every child is born in a state of fitrah (the natural state of man, i.e., Islam), then his parents make him into a Jew or a Christian or a Magian.†Bukhari and Muslim
Allaah said: ‘I created My slaves as haneefs (believers in pure monotheism), then the Shaytaan misled them from their religion; he forbade them what I had permitted to them and commanded them to associate others with Me for which I had not sent down any authority.’†Sahih Muslim
The argument of circumstances of birth (COB) is not a valid argument when discussing Heaven and Hell. Analytically, a lot of people came from humble backgrounds and had poor primary education, but because they had the choice of exerting efforts to excel, they became successful. Likewise, being born into a non-Muslim family is never a deterrent to seek for the truth and stick to it.
Interestingly, being born into a Muslim family is not a guarantee that one will make it to Heaven, each individual has to exert personal efforts to seek out for the truth about Islam, otherwise the wives of Nuh and Lut (AS) as well as Nuh’s son wouldn’t have been destroyed.
Scholars explained:
What it means when it is said that a child is born as a Muslim is that he is born inherently ready, when he reaches the age of discretion, if he is given the choice between Islam and its opposite, to prefer Islam over its opposite and to choose Islam as his religion, so long as there is nothing to prevent him from doing so, such as his whims and desires or tribalism. Following his desires makes him prefer falsehood so that he may attain some share of leadership or wealth, and tribalism or racial pride makes him follow his forefathers or elders.
It should also be noted that the person whose fitrah has been changed from Islam will not be punished for the sins of another; rather he will be punished if the call of the Messenger (SAW) reaches him and he does not accept it out of stubbornness, arrogance or tribalistic pride.
Has Allaah not given us eyes, intellect, ears, tongues? The intellect is for thinking and reasoning and not for imitating. Hence, those born into a non-Muslim family, once they are matured they are responsible for their choices.
In Islam, nobody goes to Heaven or Hell because of his lineage - the family he is born into- NO, people either go to Heaven or Hell because of the choices they made.
How can man claim that the process of entering Heaven and Hell is by virtue of Circumstances of Birth (COB) and thus “rigged†when Allaah has shown him the two ways? Now, was not such person making this wild claim born into a Muslim family and now he is embarking on the opposite direction? How then can he explain this?
Allaah says: “Verily, We have created man from Nutfah (drops) of mixed semen (sexual discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer and seer.
Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful†Qur’an 76:2-3
From the above verse it is clear that Allaah has given man the means and tools to find out the ways of good and evil.
Moreover, Allaah has not given these tools only in order to judge people against them; rather He sent them warnings and gave them clear guidance in the Revelation that came to them from heaven.
“This is because your Lord would not destroy the (populations of) towns for their wrongdoing (i.e. associating others in worship along with Allaah) while their people were unaware (so the Messengers were sent)†Qur’an 6:131
Born into a Christian or Jewish family is not the reason for being punished by Allaah on Judgement Day, it is denying the clear Message of warning that the Prophets came with regarding Shirk.
Whoever is entertaining the idea that if Heaven exists and entering it depends on one’s religion during life is a rigged process should kindly reflect on this point.....
Allaah will judge between His slaves on the Day of Resurrection by His wisdom and justice, and He will not punish anyone but those against whom proof is established by means of the Messengers. This case is clear and definite.
To the new breed of “intellectuals†who see it as intellectually appealing to question the Wisdom of Allaah because they think they have come of age, we pray Allaah guides your intellects to something more rewarding and that you become the beacons of true Islamic Monotheism.
In conclusion, I besiege all of you my respected brothers and sisters, do not allow people with twisted ideology use you as a specimen for eternal destruction. Sincerely seek for the truth sincerely and do not be deceived by superficial arguments questioning the Perfect Wisdom of Allaah.
“Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (semen drops). Yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open opponent. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: “Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust?†Q36: 77-78
Do not allow yourself to form part of the statistics of those mentioned in the verse above.
Twitter: @Penabdull instagram: @Penabdul