Who can be called a martyr?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

 



The term "martyr" (shaheed) is another one of those expressions that has been misused and reduced much by modern Muslims.  Muslims today give the label of a "martyr" to just about anyone they personally idealize for selfish motives.  Even corrupt politicians or debauched celebrities very often win the title of a "martyr."  But the truth is, it isn't that easy to achieve martyrdom and anyone given the title of a "martyr" by this world does not at all necessarily become a martyr in the Sight of Allah. 

To be a martyr it's essential to be a firm and sincere Monotheistic believer plus to strive or work hard to promote a cause that is upheld by Allah in the Quran.  This includes fighting a holy war to defend the Monotheistic Faith, to fight a war to save one's country or community from aggressors (foreign or local),  campaigning to promote justice, campaigning to eradicate corruption etc.  If a person dies in the course of such struggles or because of participating in such struggles, then he or she is a martyr.

So, what does it mean to say that one can only be a martyr if one believes in Allah and also struggles for His cause?   For instance, let's put it this way.  I believe firmly in Allah alone and I lead my life according to the rules of Allah as best as I can.  I am a common person who works for a living or simply stays home.  Then, in the course of my daily life if I die of a common illness, I can hope for the mercy of Allah being a believer but I cannot be called a martyr.

"Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who have a (disabling) hurt, are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary. Unto each Allah hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary;"  (4:95).

Allah has mentioned the above Verse 4:95 concerning those Muslims who were struggling for the cause of Allah in Medinah to establish His Message, comparing them with those believers who still remained in Makkah .. who believed in Allah but practically they weren't striving as much as many of those who were in Medinah with the Prophet (s). 

It's also necessary to define the exact reward for martyrs stated in the Quran in order to discard the claims of Hadith on this topic. 

There is no such thing as martyrs getting "72 virgins" and other similar obnoxious gossips as found in the disgraceful books of the man-written Hadith.  As per the Noble Quran, the following verses constitute the reward for martyrs. 

"Those who fled their homes for the cause of Allah and then were slain or died, Allah verily will provide for them a good provision. Lo! Allah, He verily is Best of all who make provision.
Assuredly He will cause them to enter by an entry that they will love. Lo! Allah verily is Knower, Indulgent.  That (is so). And whoso hath retaliated with the like of that which he was made to suffer and then hath (again) been wronged, Allah will succour him. Lo! Allah verily is Mild, Forgiving."  (Al-Hajj - 22:58-60)

"Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah ? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph."  (9:111) Surah At-Taubah

"And those who believe in Allah and His messengers, they are the loyal, and the martyrs are with their Lord; they have their reward and their light; while as for those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell-fire."  (57:19)

"Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they have provision." (3:169)
"Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not joined them but are left behind: that there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (3:170)


Most likely Verses 3:169-170 indicate, when Allah mentions the rejoicing of the martyrs, that their reward in Paradise begins immediately after they leave this world.   And only Allah knows best.

Please know, other than the above Verses, the Quran gives NO more details on the reward of martyrs.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Very nicely differentiated between the death of a sincere believer and the death of a martyr.  Both can expect huge rewards but the latter can expect still more .... obviously, because he's worked harder and made many more sacrifices.  I also so much agree that nowadays to achieve martyrdom, one doesn't need to strive in the way of Allah, rather one only needs to be famous & rich.  The death of almost every famous person in the Muslim world is supposed to be "martyrdom."  A hadith goes to the extent of saying the "ink of a scholar is holier than the blood of a martyr."  And "scholar" for these people mean folks like Bukhari etc. who take special delight to lie about the Quran and the messengers of Allah.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Yeah, very illuminating one.  Thanks sis. 

In pakistan when the corrupt benazir bhutto got a bullet in her head after stealing 10 billion dollars from the national treasury of pakistan & taxpayers' money during her 2 terms as PM, was conveniently called "shaheed."  Not just that, but the ignorant people of her home-village bow down and prostrate before here grave. I've seen those pics .. really disgusting !!   The very practice of giving the title of shaheed or martyr to just about anyone one pleases is itself a big violation.  It only shows the carelessness of people and how little they respect a position that's been elevated by Allah.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

And I'm sure if any day the Saudi king slips and falls on his palace staircase busting his fat ass, he too will become a "martyr" for his wahabi fans around the world. 

[N. Truth Seeker]

ROFL     I have no doubt about that too .....

[Zainab_M]

It was a pleasure reading this.  Many thanks dear sis.