Question:
Is the one who ascribes to Islam and dies upon major shirk due to the lack of proof reaching him, is he considered from Ahlul-Fatrah (those who lived and died during a time no Prophet was sent)?
Answer:
If the proof didn’t reach him, and Islam was as they say only a card, and the proof didn’t reach him, or it reached but it wasn’t made clear to him and then he died, then verily he’s excused for his ignorance, and the likes of this has come from the Hadith Al-Aswad bin Saree’ may Allah be pleased with him, concerning those who will be tested on the Day of Judgement: a man said: “O my Lord no warner came to me,” and another says “Islam came and the children were throwing dung at me,” i.e. indicating that he was mentally challenged or insane, and another said: “Islam came and I didn’t know anything,” or the likes of this.
So this applies to this one that he’s from those whom are tested on the Day of Judgement.
If the proof didn’t reach him or it reached him but he didn’t understand it.
Answered by: Shaykh, the Allamah, the Trustworthy Advisor, Abu Abdirrahman Yahya bin Ali Al-Hajuri – may Allah preserve him
Source: https://t.me/sh_yahia_duroos/8174
Translated by: Abū ‘Abdillāh ‘Omar bin Yahya Al-‘Akawi