The people of knowledge differed regarding the ruling of those who pass away from the children of the polytheists, and they split into three opinions:

The first opinion: That the children of polytheists are in paradise
The supporting evidence for that view is as follows:
1-   They are upon the Fitrah i.e., the natural disposition (the true Faith), and in the hadeeth “Every new-born is born upon natural disposition” [337] Reported by al-Bukhaaree (1319) and Muslim (6926) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
2-   They have not committed what they can be accounted for, nor what they can be punished for, thus what is appropriate of the justice of Allah is that they are from the people of Paradise
3-   The hadeeth of Samurah ibn Jundab (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the dream of the Prophet ? in which he saw Prophet Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) surrounded by the offspring of the polytheists along with the offspring of the believers. The hadeeth reads: “As for the tall man in the meadow then that is Ibraaheem (peace be upon him). And as for the children around him then they are every child that died upon their natural disposition.” Some of the Muslims asked, “O’ Messenger of Allah; including the children of the polytheists?” The Messenger of Allah ? replied, “Including the children of the polytheists.” [338] Reported by al-Bukhaaree (7047)

The second opinion: Withholding from ruling regarding the fate of the children of polytheists, thus we do not say that they are from the people of Paradise nor say that they are from the people of the Hellfire

This has been attributed to Ahmad ibn Hanbal and some of the righteous predecessors, [339] “Dar’u Ta’aarud al- ‘Aqli wa an-Naqli” – Ibn Taymiyyah (8/397) and that is due to the following:
1-   The contradictions in the evidence brought regarding this topic, and the absence of clear and explicit proof regarding their fate, according to them
2-   A narration in which the Prophet ? said: “Allah knows best what they would have done” [340] Reported by al-Bukhaaree (1384) and Muslim (2658) from the hadeeth of Abu Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)

The third opinion: That the children of polytheists will be tested on the day of judgement; if they believe they will enter paradise, and if they disbelieve, they will enter the hellfire

From those that preferred this view are al-Bayhaqee, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Katheer, Ibn Baaz, and Ibn ‘Uthaymeen. [341] “al-I’tiqaad” – al-Bayhaqee (p.187) | “al-Jawaab as-Saheeh” – Ibn Taymiyyah (2/298) | “Tareeq al-Hijratayn” (p.396) | “Tafseer Ibn Katheer” (5/58) This is due to the hadeeth of al-Aswad ibn Saree’ that the Prophet ? said, “On the day of judgement there will be a deaf man who cannot hear anything, a simple-minded man, an aged man, and a man who died during the epoch between Messengers. As for the deaf man, he will say, “My Lord, Islam came, and I did not hear of it.” As for the simple-minded man, he will say, “My Lord, Islam came but the youths would pelt me with excrement.” As for the aged man, he will say, “My Lord, Islam came but I could not recognise anything.” As for the one who died during the epoch between Messengers, he will say, “My Lord, nothing came to me of the Messengers.” He will take their pledge to obey Him, then He will reveal to them that they are to enter themselves into the fire.” He then said, “By the One Who holds the soul of Muhammad in His Hand, if they entered it, it would be cool and harmless to them.” [342] Reported by Ahmad (16301) and Ibn Hibbaan (7357) and at-Tabaraanee (1/287) (844). Ibn Hibbaan authenticated it, as did Al-Albaanee in “Saheeh al-Jaami’” (881), and al-Wadi’I in “as-Saheeh al-Musnad” (19), and Ibn al-Qayyim in “Ahkaam Ahl adh-Dhimmah” (2/1139). Al-Hathami said in “Mujma’ az-Zawa’id” that its men are all authentic narrators (7/218), and Ibn Katheer authenticated its chain, and completed it and strengthened it in “Jaami’ al-Masanid wa as-Sunan” (443), and Shu’ayb al-Arna’oot graded it as good in his edition of “Musnad Ahmad” (16301).

It should be noted that the basis for their excuses was their lack of intellect and sense, and this includes the insane, the deaf, and the mute; for they lacked the required senses through which they may conduct actions. And the person of the epoch between Messengers will say “O’ my Lord, I never heard about a Prophet at all, nor did the message of a Messenger ever reach me.” These four types of people will be tested by Allah in the court of judgement, by commanding them to go into the fire. If they enter it, they will find it to be cool and harmless to them, and if they refuse and dissent then they will be thrown into it.

Ibn Baaz said, “The children of the disbelievers will be tested on the day of Judgement similar to the people of the epoch between Messengers. So, if they give the correct response, they will be safe, and if not then they will be from among those who are ruined. And a group of the people of knowledge said that the children of disbelievers are saved, due to them dying upon natural disposition, and because the Prophet ? saw them when he entered paradise, in the meadow with Ibraaheem – may peace be upon him – along with the children of the Muslims. And this is a strong position due to the explicitness of its evidence. As for the children of the Muslims then they are in paradise by the consensus of the people of Sunnah. And Allah knows best and is most wise.” [343] “Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz” (17/443)

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said, “If the children of the disbelievers die without reaching the age of discernment, and their parents were disbelievers, then their ruling in the worldly life is that of the disbelievers; they are not ritually washed, they are not wrapped in cloth, they are not prayed over, and they are not buried in the graveyards of the Muslims, due to them being disbelievers by way of their parents. This is regarding the worldly life, as for the afterlife then Allah knows best what they would have gone on to do. And what is most correct regarding them is that Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, will test them on the day of Judgement with what He wishes. So, if they obey Allah will enter them into paradise, and if they refuse, He will enter them into the Fire. And this is what we say regarding the people of the epoch between Messengers, and those who were not reached by the Divine message; for Allah knows best what they would have done. They will be tested and be made responsible with whatever Allah the Almighty wishes and what His Wisdom decrees; so, if they obey, they will enter paradise, and if they disobey, they will enter the hellfire.” [344] “Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasa’il al- ‘‘Uthaymeen” (2/253)