It is man's right to seek knowledge and explore the horizons of this universe, as Allah Almighty has granted us these minds to use them not to suspend them. Everyone who follows the religion of his forefathers without using his mind, thinking, or analyzing such a religion, certainly wrongs and despises himself, and disdains this great blessing that Allah Almighty has bestowed on him which is the mind.
Many Muslims grew up in a Muslim family but, then, deviated from the right path by associating partners with Allah. On the other hand, others grew up in a polytheistic or Christian family believing in Trinity, then, rejected this creed and testified that there is no god but Allah.
The following allegory clarifies this point. A woman cooked a fish for her husband but before cooking it, she cut its head and tail. When her husband asked her why she did that, she replied saying: My mother cooks it this way. He asked her mother why she would cut the head and tail when cooking fish, and she gave him the same reply as her daughter. After that, he asked the grandmother why she would cut the head and tail, and she said: I had a small cooking pot and I had to cut the head and tail so the fish would fit in the pot.
As a matter of fact, many of the previous events that took place in the past ages depended on the circumstances of their age and time and had their relevant causes, as reflected in the previous story. Actually, this is a human disaster; to live at a time that is not ours and to imitate others' acts without thinking or wondering despite the different circumstances and times.
Allah Almighty said:
{...Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own attitude and conduct...} [329] Surat ar-Ra‘d: 11.
Allah will not wrong such people; rather, He will test them on the Day of Judgment.
People who did not have an opportunity to know Islam well have no excuse because, as we mentioned, they should not have been negligent in searching for the truth and thinking about it, although it is difficult to verify the act of informing people of Islam beyond ignorance and doubt since people vary. The destiny of those who are excused for their ignorance or for not being provided with irrefutable proof will be decided by Allah in the Hereafter, whereas the rulings related to this worldly life depend on what is apparent.
Allah's judgment to punish them is not injustice after all such irrefutable proofs that He provided them with through the mind, the natural disposition, the messages, and the signs in the universe and in their own selves. The least they were expected to do in return for all this was to know Allah Almighty and worship Him alone with adhering to the pillars of Islam at least. Had they done this, they would have been saved from eternity in Hellfire and would have attained happiness in this life and in the Hereafter. Do you think this is difficult?
The right of Allah Almighty over His slaves whom He created is to worship Him alone, and the slaves' right over Allah is that He does not punish those who do not associate anything with Him. It is very simple, only words that man must say, believe in, and act upon and this will be sufficient to save him from Hellfire. Is this not justice? This is Allah's judgment and He is the Judge, the Just, the All-Subtle, and the All-Aware, and this is His religion.
The real problem is not the fact that man errs or sins because making mistakes is part of man's nature, as all the children of Adam are sinners and the best of the sinners are those who frequently repent, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told us. The real problem; however, lies in exceeding the limits and insisting on committing sins. Besides, when one is offered an advice, he does not listen to it or apply it, and when reminded, he does not benefit from the reminder, and when admonished, he does not learn his lesson, repent, or ask for Allah's forgiveness; rather, he insists and turns away in arrogance.
Allah Almighty said:
{When Our verses are recited to him, he turns away in arrogance, as if he did not hear them, as if there were deafness in his ears. So give him tidings of a painful punishment.} [330] Surat Luqmān: 7.
Allah Almighty said:
The conclusion of the journey of life and the reaching the shore of safety are summed up in the following verses:
{The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, the record of deeds will be laid open, the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forth, and judgment will be passed between them with fairness, and they will not be wronged. Every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, for He knows best what they do. Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, until when they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them, “Did there not come to you messengers from among you, reciting the verses of your Lord and warning you of your meeting of this Day?” They will say, “Yes indeed, but the decree of punishment has come to pass against the disbelievers.” It will be said, “Enter the gates of Hell, abiding therein forever.” What a terrible abode for the arrogant! But those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, until when they reach it, its gates will be wide open, and its keepers will say to them, “Peace be upon you. You have done well, so enter it, abiding forever.” They will say, “All praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the land to dwell wherever we please in Paradise.” How excellent is the reward of those who do [good]!} [331] Surat az-Zumar: 69-74.
I testify that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partner,
and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.
I testify that the messengers of Allah are true,
and I testify that Paradise is true and that Hellfire is true.