Questions and Answers on Islamic Jurisprudence

Islamic Jurisprudence: Wisdom and Purposes

Question 49: Do people inherit the religion of Islam from their parents?

Answer 49: It has already been stated above that people are born to be intrinsically God believing, i.e. Muslims.  Islam regards a child before puberty to be subordinate to his father in terms of religion and belief.  Coming of age, he/she becomes responsible and will be held accountable for his/her deeds.  This requires him/her to embrace the religion of Islam as a result of conviction, thinking and choice.  However, if the child dies before puberty age (15 years) he/she will be considered as one of the escapees from Hell even though his parents are non-believers.  This is a prerequisite of the justice of God who says: “… and no burdens shall bear the burden of another” (Holy Qur’an: 6: 164).