Ruling on Muslims who know little about Islam
Question:
"Many Muslims who live in the post-communist countries know little about Islam. Some might offer Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer as five Rak`ah instead of four and others do not know that Sawm (fasting) and Hajj are among the pillars of Islam. What is the ruling on these people? How will they be judged?"
Answer:
"It is obligatory upon the scholars and the Du`at (caller to Islam) to teach and guide them. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says,
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.} [Suran An-Nahl 16:125]
Allah (Glorified be He) also says:
{And who is better in speech than he who says: “My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh’s (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds} [Surah Fussilat 41:33]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) says, "Anyone who guides to good will be (rewarded) the equivalent of the one who does it." [1] These people should learn and deeply understand their religion and ask the people of Shari`ah knowledge, for Allah (Glorified be He) says,
{So ask the people of the Scripture, if you do not know.} [Surah An-Nahl 16:43]
In sha'a-Allah (if Allah wills), they will deeply understand Islam when they follow this way. I ask Allah to grant them deep understanding of religion and provide them with Du`at, for He is the Most Generous and Most Gracious. However, if they die in this state, they will be considered from Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) whose affairs rest with Allah (Glorified be He). It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah will test those whom the message of Islam did not reach on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever succeeds, will enter Paradise and whoever fails will be admitted to Hellfire. May Allah guide them, all Muslims, and us to whatever pleases Him and keeps us away from the reasons that incur His Wrath. He is All-Hearer, Ever Near!"
[1] Narrated by Muslim, Book on rulership, no. 3509, and the wording is his; Al-Tirmidhy, Book on knowledge, no. 2595; and Abu Dawud, Book on manners, no. 4464.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, volume 9.
Reference: Among the questions asked by Al-Muslimun newspaper, dictated by His Eminence on 25/1/1416 A.H.
"Many Muslims who live in the post-communist countries know little about Islam. Some might offer Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer as five Rak`ah instead of four and others do not know that Sawm (fasting) and Hajj are among the pillars of Islam. What is the ruling on these people? How will they be judged?"
Answer:
"It is obligatory upon the scholars and the Du`at (caller to Islam) to teach and guide them. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says,
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.} [Suran An-Nahl 16:125]
Allah (Glorified be He) also says:
{And who is better in speech than he who says: “My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh’s (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds} [Surah Fussilat 41:33]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) says, "Anyone who guides to good will be (rewarded) the equivalent of the one who does it." [1] These people should learn and deeply understand their religion and ask the people of Shari`ah knowledge, for Allah (Glorified be He) says,
{So ask the people of the Scripture, if you do not know.} [Surah An-Nahl 16:43]
In sha'a-Allah (if Allah wills), they will deeply understand Islam when they follow this way. I ask Allah to grant them deep understanding of religion and provide them with Du`at, for He is the Most Generous and Most Gracious. However, if they die in this state, they will be considered from Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) whose affairs rest with Allah (Glorified be He). It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah will test those whom the message of Islam did not reach on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever succeeds, will enter Paradise and whoever fails will be admitted to Hellfire. May Allah guide them, all Muslims, and us to whatever pleases Him and keeps us away from the reasons that incur His Wrath. He is All-Hearer, Ever Near!"
[1] Narrated by Muslim, Book on rulership, no. 3509, and the wording is his; Al-Tirmidhy, Book on knowledge, no. 2595; and Abu Dawud, Book on manners, no. 4464.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, volume 9.
Reference: Among the questions asked by Al-Muslimun newspaper, dictated by His Eminence on 25/1/1416 A.H.
