Q: What is the ruling on children who die before reaching the age of three?

A: These children are treated in this world the same as their parents. If one or both of their parents are Muslims, they are treated like Muslims in terms of washing, enshrouding, offering the Funeral Prayer, burial in the graves of the Muslims and inheritance. If their parents are Kafirs (disbelievers), they are treated like (Part No. 8; Page No. 405) Kafirs.As for the ruling on them in the Hereafter, if their parents are Kafirs, they are left to the Will of Allah, as He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, the Just, the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful, as when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about the children of the disbelievers, he said, "It is Allah Who knows best what they would have done." May He be Exalted; He is not unjust even as much as the weight of an atom, and He is the Subtle and the Well-Aware. If one or both of their parents are Muslims, they are going to be of the inhabitants of Jannah (Paradise) by the Grace of Allah (Exalted be He).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.