Where Do Children Go After Death in Islam?

In the Qur’an: 1. Allah says: “And those who believe, and whose children follow them in faith, We shall join their children with them, and We shall not decrease anything from their deeds.” (Surah At-Tur 52:21) This means believing parents will be reunited with their children in Jannah. In the Hadith: 1. Reward for parents when a child dies: The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the child of a believer dies, Allah says to the angels: ‘Did you take the soul of the child of My servant?’ They say: ‘Yes.’ Allah says: ‘Did you take the fruit of his heart?’ They say: ‘Yes.’ Allah says: ‘What did My servant say?’ They reply: ‘He praised You and said Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.’ Allah says: ‘Build for My servant a house in Paradise and call it Baytul-Hamd (the House of Praise).’” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad) 2. Children interceding for parents: The Prophet ﷺ said: > “Whoever loses two children, they will be a shield for him from the Fire.” (Bukhari, Muslim) Another narration says: > “Little children will hold on to their parents on the Day of Judgment and pull them into Paradise.” (Musnad Ahmad) 3. About puberty (baligh age): Before puberty, a child is not accountable for sins. The Prophet ﷺ said: > “The Pen is lifted from three: from the sleeping person until he awakes, from the child until he reaches puberty, and from the insane person until he regains sanity.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi) So if a child dies before puberty, he/she is innocent, pure, and definitely in Paradise. If death happens at puberty or just after, then he/she is treated like an adult. If they had iman (faith), we hope in Allah’s mercy that they are in Jannah.