The beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conveyed in a hadith that shahadah (martyrdom), which is a great honour that many Companions of the Prophet ﷺ aspired for, can not only be achieved by giving life while fighting in the way of Allah ﷻ, but also in several different forms. Sacrificing one’s life in the noble cause of Jihad is referred to as ‘Shahadah Haqeeqiyyah,’ or real martyrdom, whereas other forms are considered ‘Shahadah Hukmiyyah,’ meaning legal martyrdom. (Derived from Mirqat-ul-Mafatih, vol. 4, pp. 39, Taht-al-Hadith 1561).

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir bin ‘Atik, from his father, that his grandfather fell sick and the Prophet ﷺ came to visit him. One of his family members said,

“We hoped that when he died it would be as a martyr in the cause of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “In that case the martyrs of my nation would be few. Being killed in the cause of Allah is martyrdom; dying of the plague is martyrdom; when a pregnant woman dies in childbirth that is martyrdom; and dying of drowning, or burning, or of pleurisy, is martyrdom.” (Ibn Majah)

The Different Types of a Martyr

Many Muslims today also pray to die as a martyr as Allah ﷻ has spoken highly of martyrs in the Qur’an. A shahid (martyr) in the Hereafter is one who will enjoy the lofty status and rewards. Allah ﷻ says,

“Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:154)

The main difference between types of martyrs is that the martyrs that give life during combat are buried in their blood stained clothing whereas other martyrs are given the ghusl bath and full funeral rites such as the wearing of the khimar (long headscarf), or clean white clothing. However, the funeral prayer is the same for both. Both require that the family exercise patience until reunited on the Day of Judgement and that the martyr be granted a high status in Jannah in the meantime.

The different ways through which a believer can attain the high status of a martyr is a reflection of the profound mercy and understanding of Allah ﷻ as not everyone can get a chance to fight for the cause of Allah ﷻ and give their life. 

1. Death in a Plague

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ assured us that those who succumb to an epidemic are martyrs. Many people have lost their loved ones to Covid in recent times and we hope the knowledge that they will be raised to the high rank of martyrs can provide comfort and solace. 

2. Drowning

Death by drowning is a tragic and often sudden way to depart from this world, however, it also qualifies these individuals as a martyr. This highlights Allah’s ﷻ infinite mercy to those who meet their end in this manner.

3. Death due to Prolonged Illnesses

Suffering from prolonged illness such as pleurisy (inflammation of the tissue layer around lungs causing sharp chest pain) and being bedridden can also earn one the status of martyrdom. This condition reflects the patience and resilience required during times of hardship, emphasising that the trials endured in life can lead to great rewards in the Hereafter.

4. Death from Stomach Disease

The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that those who die from stomach ailments are also martyrs. 

This goes to show that physical suffering, regardless of its nature, when borne with patience and fortitude, will always be rewarded with divine honour for the believer, as demonstrated by the hadith below. 

It is narrated by Ayesha RA that the Prophet ﷺ said, “When a Muslim is afflicted by an anxiety, pain or sickness then, because of that, his sins are atoned. So much so that if a thorn pricks him or he suffers a simple, minor injury (His sins are forgiven)”. (Albani)

5. Death by Fire

Those who pass away in a fire are also regarded as martyrs. The anguish and struggle associated with losing a loved one this way highlight the value placed on the believer’s endurance in the face of any calamity.

6. Death Under Falling Debris

A believer who meets their end due to a collapsed building or structure, whether in the event of an earthquake, flood, or other disasters, is also granted martyrdom. So, while our hearts ache for the countless lives lost in Gaza due to Israel’s brutal bombardment, we find comfort knowing that they are, insha’Allah, honoured as martyrs, their sacrifices not forgotten but embraced with the promise of Jannah.

7. Women Dying During Childbirth

The honour of martyrdom is also extended to women who die during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period. The Prophet ﷺ stated that such women are given a special place in Paradise, with their newborns leading them there. This hadith highlights how Allah ﷻ values the sacrifices a woman makes during pregnancy and childbirth and the trials faced by mothers.

It is crucial to understand that martyrdom is a reflection of one’s character and intentions. Upon shedding the first drop of blood, a martyr is granted the forgiveness of sins, a glimpse of their heavenly home, and the assurance that they will not face punishment in the grave. They are adorned with a crown of honour and possess the ability to intercede for their loved ones on the Day of Judgment by the permission of Allah ﷻ.

Abu Thabit from Sahl bin Hunaif (May Allah be pleased with him) said, The Prophet ﷺ said: “He who asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will raise him to the high status of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed”. (Muslim)

When Umar RA became the second caliph, his du’a was that Allah ﷻ grants him shahadah and that he die in the city of Madinah. “O Allah, grant me shahadah in Your path, and allow my death to be in the city of Your Messenger.”

Umar’s son Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to ask his father, “How can you have both when there are no battles happening in Madinah?” Despite being two contradictory things, Umar RA never gave up his utmost trust in Allah ﷻ and always made this du’a as he knew anything was possible in the Hands of Allah ﷻ. Umar RA was killed in Fajr prayer leading the Muslims in the Prophet’s ﷺ Masjid in Madinah. Allah ﷻ accepted his du’a.

The following is the du’a that we can recite to ask Allah ﷻ to die a martyr.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الشهادۃ

Allahumma inni as’aluk ash-shahadah

“O Allah I ask you for Martyrdom.”

Martyrdom in Islam is not only about the manner of death but also about the noble life lived by the individual. It is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various forms of sacrifice, struggle, and ultimately, devotion to Allah ﷻ. It reminds us that the highest ranks in Jannah are attainable through patience, ihsan and tawakkul in Allah ﷻ. 

The journey to being a martyr is not confined to the battlefield; rather, it is an inclusive path that honours the trials of all believers. A gift through the mercy of Allah ﷻ, offering hope and encouragement to all of us in our hardest and most desperate of moments.

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References:

1. Yaqeen Institute: Are They Considered Shaheed? | For Those Left Behind

2. The woman who dies while delivering is considered a martyr

3. Lessons from Umar RA’s Dua