The term denotes a period of interval, when God did not send an Islamic prophet or messenger to spread awareness of Abrahamic monotheism amongst humanity.
"[2] Imam Nawawi said in his commentary Sharh Sahih Muslim that those who are born into idolatrous families and die without a message reaching them are granted paradise based upon the Qur'anic verse 17:15: "We do not punish a people until a messenger comes to them.".
[6] Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, a Salafi scholar, stated on this matter: “The term Ahl al-Fatrah refers to everyone whom the dawah (message of Islam) has not reached in a correct manner as it came in the Shariah… Such people will not be punished on the Day of Judgement [for their disbelief in this world].
In cases where the dawah reaches people in a mutilated form in which its essential components; its fundamental principles of belief, have been substituted, I am the first to say that the dawah has not reached them.” [citation needed] Albani quoted Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his book, Al-Jami' al-Saghir, that Ahl al-Fatrah will be tested by commanded by a messenger to enter the hellfire, where if he or she obey the commands, they will be pass the test and allowed to enter Jannah, while if they refused, then they will be truly shoved into hell.
[6] Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baz opined that the Ahl al-Fatrah will undergo special tests during Al-Qiyāmah (The Great Resurrection), but this ruling does not apply to those who choose to become polytheist during their life, since Abrahamic monotheism has existed even before Muhammad.
[7] Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymin also viewed that Ahl al-Fatrah will be tested in judgment day based on tradition from Abu Hurayra.