Do we get a Free Pass to Jannah if we’re Born in a Muslim Family?

Responsibility of a Muslim

If we are luckily born into a Muslim family, we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders to lead our lives within Allah’s boundaries and according to His teaching. 

In Islamic theology, Allah does not consider individuals born in different families, rather He will take into account our personal beliefs and actions. This is why the Quran, again and again, tells us to ‘ponder’ and ‘reflect’ on ourselves and around.

Unfortunately, the majority of Muslims take it for granted, assuming that being born into a Muslim family would eventually lead them to heaven. 

Allah clearly states through Quran and Hadiths by Prophet SAW, that a Muslim is only be called a Muslim if they say “I hear and I obey”, (Sa’mai’na wa ataa’naa), if we do not implement and obey the teachings of our deen, there is no point in saying La ilaaha ilallah, Allah won’t accept that.

We, as believers are supposedly holding the flag of Islam, we have to convince the non-believers through our minor/major actions, and way of life, what Islam is and we are the ones who have to convey to others about our Deen. In more than 50+ verses, Allah has mentioned giving Da’awah (direct and indirect invitation to Allah’s deen) to non-believers through our actions and personality.

Here are a few instances:

“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong”.
[Quran: 3:110]

“Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice” (An-Nahl 16:125).

Being Born into a Non-Muslim Family

There are 4 conditions to be successful in this world and the world hereafter. Just think of it as a Cambridge Exam, there are 4 compulsory subjects, even if we pass 3 with ‘A’ grade and fail in the 4th one, we won’t be promoted to the next school year, no matter if we are born Muslims or not. This is the most straightforward verse where Allah has sworn upon a time, He has Himself taken an oath.

By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed, done righteous deeds, advised each other to truth, advised each other to patience. (al-Asar, chapter 103)

Now talking about non-muslims who are not born in Muslim families. Allah does say people (non-muslims or non-practicing Muslims) who do any minor/major good deed will be rewarded:

For those who do good deeds, there shall be the best reward and yet more blessings. (chapter 10, verse 27)

Even if the person is born in a non-muslim family, as per the Quran and Hadiths, every child is born with a Fitrah, (Fitrah Arabic word hai, the natural belief of God, and inborn inclination to worship a supreme being: every child is born with God-Consciousness).

There is an authentic hadith that says:

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Each child is born in a state of “Fitrah”, then his parents make him a Muslim, Jew, Christian, etc.” (Sahih Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

Throughout a person’s life, Allah will show His signs to him in several ways every day until the day he dies. If a person by Fitrah is slightly good he will eventually receive the divine guidance from Allah i.e. Islam and he will convert. However, if due to extreme negative surroundings, egos, lusts, desires, negative behaviors, and bad companies, a person again and again mocks and denies God’s sign due to arrogance, and does not follow his inborn Fitrah, his heart turns black with ‘Raub’ it’s an Arabic word for black stain, Allah will eventually block his heart from receiving the divine guidance no matter how much da’wah we give to that person. He won’t be able to deny on the day of judgment that I didn’t know what is Islam because these days, information technology is faster than light, and also Allah sent messengers for every nation and every period since the time of Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jacob, Jesus, Muhammad (peace be upon them all). 

For Instance, I tried to translate this verse into simple words:

And those who disbelieve say: Why is not a sign sent down upon him by his Lord? Say: Surely Allah makes him who will go astray (who has no goodness at all in his heart), and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him) (who have an atom’s weight of goodness). [13:27] 

Allah will only spare those non-muslims who were mentally ill, not able to grasp the message of Prophets or Allah’s signs in the world. Allah will make the hell cooler for him (can’t put him in heaven because Allah can’t change his statement in the Quran, He can’t take a U-turn. He says one who does not follow Tawheed (monotheism), will not enter paradise)

– Rabia Tariq