The point here is that his saying,

“Every child is born upon the natural disposition,”

does not refer to legal rulings in this world, but to their true state, upon which reward and punishment depend. Thus, when he said this, they asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, what about the children of the polytheists who die?” He replied:

“Allah knows best what they would have done.”

Those among them who reach maturity are either Muslims or unbelievers, unlike those who die in childhood.

People have differed concerning the children of polytheists, holding several views. One group says that they are all in the Fire, while another says that they are all in Paradise. Each of these two views was adopted by a group of Ahmad’s followers.

The first was adopted by al-Qādī Abū Ya‘lā and others, who attributed it to Ahmad. As we have indicated, however, this attribution to Ahmad is mistaken. The second was adopted by Abū al-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī and others. Some of these say that they are servants of the people of Paradise. Others say that they are among the people of the Heights.

The third view is to withhold judgment concerning them. This is the correct view indicated by the authentic hadiths, and it is expressly stated by Ahmad and other imams. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr reported it from Hammād ibn Salamah, Hammād ibn Zayd, Ibn al-Mubārak, and Ishāq ibn Rāhawayh. He said, “This is also the view of most of Mālik’s followers.” He also mentioned a disagreement concerning the children of Muslims, but this is not the place to discuss it.