This is an issue of dispute among scholars and I follow the option of Sheikh Ibn Othaimeen as Allah wouldn’t punish a nation or an individual until the information has reached him and he has no excuse! He would be tested on the Day of Judgment.

I read that there is the excuse of ignorance for some people like ignorant Muslims who LIVE IN THE WEST WHERE ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE IS LITTLE OR NON EXISTENT EVEN IF THEY COMMIT MAJOR SHIRK. when does the excuse of ignorance come into effect and when is it invalid as an excuse for an individual? also can you recommend books in English on the topic.