Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Allah created people upon the fitrah (natural disposition). He تعالى says: ﴿So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth—the natural disposition of Allah upon which He has created people﴾ [Ar-Rum: 30]. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every child is born upon the fitrah, then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” Agreed upon.
A child is therefore born naturally prepared to accept Islam and the truth. However, the environment and family may influence his natural disposition and shape his beliefs. Whoever grows up among Muslims has greater access to the means of guidance than someone who grows up in a disbelieving environment, and this is from the bounty of Allah, which He grants to whom He wills.
Nevertheless, a person is not punished merely because he was born into a disbelieving environment or because of the sin of his parents. Rather, responsibility comes after the proof has been established and the message of the Messenger has reached him. If the message reaches him clearly and he turns away from it out of stubbornness, arrogance, or blind adherence to his parents’ religion, then he deserves to be held accountable. Allah تعالى says: ﴿And We never punish until We have sent a messenger﴾ [Al-Isra: 15].
There is no doubt that being born into Islam is a great blessing, because it provides a person with means of guidance that may not be available to someone who grows up in a disbelieving environment. However, if Allah wills good for someone, He may facilitate for him the means of guidance, enabling him to move from disbelief to Islam. Thus, the entire matter belongs to Allah.
As for saying that every person must have the same circumstances and the same opportunities for guidance, this is not necessary. Differences in environments and circumstances are among Allah’s established ways in His creation. It is impossible for everyone’s circumstances to be identical given the differences among societies and religions. Guidance is based on the grace and will of Allah, as well as what Allah has granted a person of intellect and the ability to distinguish and choose.
Thus, the servant has a will and a choice, but he does not go beyond the will of Allah تعالى. He سبحانه says: ﴿For whoever among you wills to take a straight path. And you do not will unless Allah, Lord of the worlds, wills﴾ [At-Takwir: 28–29].
And Allah تعالى knows best.