INFANT SALVATION

The author of Durru ʾl-Muk͟htār , vol. i. p. 891, says: Abū Ḥanīfah gave no answer to the question whether the infants of mushrikūn (those who a ociate another with God) will have to answer for themselves in the Day of Judgment or not; or whether they will inherit the Fire ( i.e . Hell), or go to Paradise ( Jannah ) or not. But Ibn al-Humām has said, the learned are not agreed upon these questions, and it is evident that Abū Ḥanīfah and others are at a lo to answer them; and, moreover, there are contradictory traditions recorded regarding them. So it is evident that in the matter of salvation, they (the infants) will be committed to God, and we are not able to say anything regarding this matter. Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥas an (the disciple of Abū Ḥanīfah), has said, “I am certain God will not commit anyone to the punishment (of hell) until he has committed sin.” And Ibn Abī Sharīf (a disciple of Ibn al-Ḥas an ) , says the Companions were silent regarding the question of the future of infants; but it is related by the Imām Nawawī (commentator on the Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim ) that there are three views regarding the salvation of infants. Some say they will go to hell, some do not venture an opinion on the subject, and some say they will enter Paradise; and the last view he considers the correct one, in accordance with the tradition which says, “Every child is born according to the law of God.” INFĀQ ( انفاق‎ ). Lit . “Giving forth; expending.” The word occurs once in the Qurʾān, Sūrah xvii. 102 : “Did ye control the treasuries of the mercy of my Lord, then ye would hold them through fear of expending ( infāq ), for man is ever niggardly.” The word is used for giving in charity and in God’s service, in opposition to imsāk .