Who are the Blessed Seven regarded as martyrs in Islam (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Generally speaking, whenever the word martyrdom is taken in Islam, people mostly understand the loss of life in battle. However, this is not always the case. In fact martyrdom in Islam has a much wider meaning and It also includes those who lose life prematurely by natural causes, accidents, or illnesses, and even mothers who lose their lives while giving birth. Some even attribute death of the people at the hands of unjust rulers as martyrdom too.

Let us first define the word used in Arabic for the martyrs: 

In Arabic, the word used for a martyr is Shahīd (Arabic: شهيد). The word is used frequently in the Quran in the generic sense of "witness" but only once in the sense of "martyr" (i.e. one who dies for his faith); the latter sense acquires wider usage in the hadith. The term's usage is also borrowed by non-Muslim communities where Persianate Islamic empires held cultural influence, such as amongst Hindus and Sikhs in India.

The companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often clarified the same and wanted a prophetic interpretation of the word martyr or shaheed as in Arabic. Today we share two hadiths attributed to the revered Prophet of Allah to clarify who really is a martyr beside the one who dies in battle in protection of one's faith or country.

The first clarification is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī hadith 2829, an authentic hadith with profound implications when viewed alongside the Qurʾān and supporting hadiths:

• First Hadith (Bukhārī 2829)
• Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “Five are regarded as martyrs: those who die from plague, abdominal disease, drowning, a falling building (death by collapse), and the martyr in Allah’s cause.” 
• Context & Explanation: This hadith expands the concept of martyrdom (shahādah) beyond battlefield death, reflecting the Qurʾānic principle that true sacrifice and sincerity count in the sight of Allah.

The second clarification is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud hadith 3111, graded Sahi (Albani) adds three more categories to the above stated hadith:

• Second Hadith (Sunan Abi Dawud 3111)
• Narrated Jabir ibn Atik: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to visit Abdullah ibn Thabit who was ill. He found that he was dominated (by the divine decree). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called him loudly, but he did not respond. He uttered the Qur'anic verse "We belong to Allah and to Him do we return" and he said: We have been dominated against you, AburRabi'. Then the women cried and wept, and Ibn Atik began to silence them. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Leave them, when the divine decree is made, no woman should weep.
• They (the people) asked: What is necessary happening, Messenger of Allah? He replied: Death. His daughter said: I hope you will be a martyr, for you have completed your preparations for jihad. 
• The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Allah Most High gave him a reward according to his intentions. What do you consider martyrdom? They said: Being killed in the cause of Allah.
• The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: There are seven types of martyrdom in addition to being killed in Allah's cause: 
• one who dies of plague is a martyr; 
• one who is drowned is a martyr; 
• one who dies of pleurisy is a martyr; 
• one who dies of an internal complaint is a martyr; 
• one who is burnt to death is a martyr; 
• who one is killed by a building falling on him is a martyr; 
• and a woman who dies while pregnant is a martyr.

So the above two hadiths agree on four type of people who die and are considered as martyrs, beside the one lays down one's life in a battle. However, since the second hadith too is authentic, three more cases are added: (1) one who dies of plague is a martyr (2) one who is burnt to death is a martyr (3) a woman who dies while pregnant.

Some scholars sub divide the martyrdom into two main categories: ‘Shahadah Haqeeqiyyah’ i.e. real martyrdom (that is martyrdom in the battle), whereas other forms of martyrdoms are considered ‘Shahadah Hukmiyyah’ i.e. legal martyrdom, the remaining six categories mentioned above.

Qurʾānic Foundations of Martyrdom

The Qurʾān links martyrdom with ultimate sincerity and sacrifice, especially in verses promising paradise for those who give their wealth and lives for Allah’s way (e.g. Qurʾān 3:169‑170).

In Qur'an, a Shahīd (شهيد) is considered one whose place in Paradise is promised according to following verses in the Quran

(3:169) Think not of those slain in the way of Allah as dead. Indeed they are living, and with their Lord they have their sustenance, (3:170) rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them out of His bounty, jubilant that neither fear nor grief shall come upon the believers left behind in the world who have not yet joined them.

Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur’an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme. (Qur'an 9:111) 

The Quranic passage that follows is the source of the concept of Muslim martyrs being promised Paradise:

Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, and are then slain or die,- On them will Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision: Truly Allah is He Who bestows the best provision. Verily He will admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased: for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing. — Quran 22:58–59 

However, the above said verses does not explicitly enumerate the categories mentioned in the two hadiths quoted above; later clarified by  Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  which clarify categories of sacrifice beyond combat.

Spiritual & Legal Implications in Islam

These hadith assure Muslims that suffering and death in the course of unavoidable calamities—plague, illness, drowning, disasters and death due to pregnancy—are not wasted but count as elevated status before Allah.  These categories provides spiritual comfort and encourages perseverance even in misfortune.

Supporting Traditions & Interpretations

Sahih Muslim 2829 complements this meaning with a profound description: Allah will ask the dwellers of Paradise, “Are you pleased?” and, upon affirmative response, say: “Shall I not give you something better?” They respond “What is better than that?” He replies: “My pleasure—and I will never be displeased with you ever again.” 

The above quoted Hadiths though label true martyrdom in the battle, the others teach that sincere suffering in God’s way is similarly honored.

Conclusion

Th above quoted hadiths clarify a broader understanding of martyrdom: not only the warrior, but the patient sufferer, provided the intention is right, enters Allah’s mercy as a martyr. It builds on Qur’anic values of sacrifice and sincerity, and evokes deeper hope for believers enduring trials.

Let us pray that when we die, we die in true faith with a hope of being honoured of inclusion in the categories of martyrs as mentioned in the Hadiths so quoted. Ameen 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Oft asked Queries from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Sources of Hadiths: | Hadith1 | Hadith 2 | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imam of the masjid for more clarification.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Scholars' Viewpoint: Responding to Queries of Atheists / Non Muslims - Flogging

Atheists are people who do not believe in Divine laws and commandments for they don't even believe in the existence of One True God.Since he have their logic of their own and when they discuss religions, they want to hear a logic that pleases them or is according to their beliefs. If such people come in contact with people of faith, they make their best to convince the people of faith, specially when people of faith do not know their faith. Those who are weak in their faith or lack requite knowledge abut they faith, they are most likely to become speechless.

How much do we know about Islam, thus, that matter. If people of faith are not confident what their faith tells them, they are likely to face humiliation when replying to some stinging questions of atheists.  So every Muslim must know what are the commandments, instructions and guidelines enunciated in the Quran first to enlighten and educate him and then be in a position to answer queries of non Muslims with logic and authority.

One of the questions that intrigue atheists and even other non Muslims is the flogging of man and woman accused of adultery / fornication. Listen to one of the eminent scholars of the times, Nouman Ali Khan, explaining how the query is to be answered in the video below.

Nouman Ali Khan, born to a Pakistani family, is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are that of the concerned scholar . We have shared these view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

How Islam Differs from Other Religions - Part II

This is the second post on the subject of how Islam differs from other religions and faith. In fact this post was to be more specific on many issues, but while searching for queries that non Muslims have and their view point about Islam, I came across some concerns which I thought I must talk out first before proceeding on certain specifics. 

This concern is about outright negation of religion of Islam. A comment caught my eye which said that this man made religion, pointing towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is nothing but based on illogical framework, which could only a many could write. Well this is something which I took seriously as we as Muslims believe in all holy scriptures before the Holy Quran and respect all prophets and messengers of Allah sent before the last of the prophets Muhammad (peace be upon him).

And this notion is not new as prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had confronted with the same opposition at the time of his revealing the word of Allah as revealed unto him more than 1400 years ago. And this sometimes dejected the prophet of Allah. and it were these times, when Allah revealed His assurance and condolence to his prophet:

[But] those who have disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger."  Say, "Sufficient is Allah as Witness between me and you, and [the witness of] whoever has knowledge of the Scripture - (Qur'an Surah Ar Ra'ad 13:43)  

"O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger to make clear to you [the religion] after a period [of suspension] of messengers, lest you say, "There came not to us any bringer of good tidings or a warner." But there has come to you a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And Allah is over all things competent." (Qur'an Surah Al Madinah 5:19)

And now note this:

"And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." (Qur'an, Surah As-Saf 61:6)

Those who label Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to have written Qur'an himself, it may be added that that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was totally illiterate and expecting someone who did not know how to read and write coming up with such soul searching verses as contained in the Holy Qur'an is simply unbelievable. There had to be some divine power which was author of such scripture, the same way the earlier scriptures were revealed by Allah on earlier messengers.

Yet again comes the concept of crucification of Prophet Eesa (Jesus, may peace be upon him). I have already written a separate post on the issue. But a few words here again. While followers of Bible believe that the Christ was actually crucified and was then lifted up by the God on the third day, we as Muslims believe that it was not Prophet Eesa who was crucified but someone who resembled him as clearly narrated in the Qur'an:

"That they said [in boast], 'We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah'; but they killed him not,  nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who  differ therein are full of doubts, with no [certain] knowledge, but only  conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not." (Surah An Nisah 4:157)

On this negation, I have read many comments by the followers of the Bible who say that if we accept what Islam says about non-crucification of Christ, the whole central idea of Christianity would collapse.

And this is exactly the case. Every holy scripture has been an update on the previous scriptures and Allah has revealed his commandments slowly and gradually. What is contained in Bible about crucification is what people of the time "WITNESSED." They had no idea how Allah safeguarded his prophet from undergoing the agony of crucifixion and thus had someone else looking like Christ been crucified while Christ was taken up alive up in the heavens. For Allah, who has created this universe, the magnitude of which is far beyond our knowledge, replacing Prophet Eesa with someone who looked exactly like him that even his mother and friends could not feel the difference is something very easy and simple. Allah simply commands:

To be ("kun!" !كن), and it is (fa ya kūn فيكون)

"(Allah,) The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is." (Qur'an, Surah Al Baqara 2:117) 

Does after reading the verse above from Holy Qur'an there remains a doubt in the endless powers of the Allah Almighty the creator of this universe to do things much beyond our comprehension?

And it is this truth contained in the Holy Qur'an by virtue of which millions of followers of other faiths and religions have embraced Islam for they have found the enlightened path shown to them through commandments of Allah as contained in the Holy Qur'an revealed unto Prophet Muhammad.

Thus there is no harm in changing one's faith when one comes across the truth or an update on what we already know through the older scriptures - just like we have updates of our softwares everyday.

Photo

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

How Islam Differs from Other Religions - Part I

Studying religions is always interesting for it is through studying the differences between religions, one can make a decision to stick to one's own beliefs and religion or make up one's mind to convert to a religion which overrides others in its essences and practicality.

My great grandfather was an ordinary man, yet he had a mind with full of question. Born Muslim, he thought he needed to know why should he continue to follow his faith which he has been practicing since his birth or what his family members believed in. So one day, in his prime youth, he left his house to  live with Hindu sadhus, Christians, Zoroastrians and even Jews. He spent good about five years of his life in search of truth while men of his youth were marrying and raising children. He traveled thousands of miles interacting with people of other religions to find answers. 

And then one day, when his family had lost all hopes of his return, he came back in a miserable condition due to excessive traveling but with an enlightened mind - he had the right answers to what he has been looking for - Islam was the religion which not only is a religion but a complete way of life. And then he preached the practical Islam to people of his village and those who came to him for seeking answers he once himself had.

All religions teach men to be clean, free of bigotry, hatred and enmity. No religion supports adultry, lies and talking ill of others in their absence. All religions talk of some divine power 'up there' but are not sure of its true definition. Even in Christianity, there is a confusion as to what God is - is it one entitiy or a combination of trinity.

Unlike all religions, Islam gives practical answers to every query one may have provided one is prepared to receive answers tangent to one's belief. The Holy Quran, the last of the Holy Scriptures after Pslams, Torah and Bible, gives out the code of conduct for the entire wordly life and of life hereafter to its followers. Unlike many other religions where the religious men detach themselves from the socitiey and enshrine them in places of worship, Islam is for ordinary peopel - living and raisning familes, working to earn bread and butter for self and family and at the same time praying and preaching.

In Islam, all men are equal and all fundamental rights of individual as well as of society have been clearly spelt out and no one is allowed to temper these. There is an ongoing wave in the Western societies, where there is a rise in rate of non Muslims converting to Islam, to cope up with a concept of secular Islam. That is to say being a Muslim, one looks like a non Muslim in how he lives and how he unfolds his Islamic aspirations. That is to say the West's concept of a secular Islam.

But here Islam differs from other regions. Since Allah, the One and the Almighty, has elaborated the concept of Islam in very clear and easy to understand terms, anyone who digresses from these teachings no more remain a practicing Muslim, for unless a man believes and practices what is been given to him from Allah, life cannot be lived as a true Muslim.

There are many who coerce Muslims to drink and eat pork for everyone else does, despite the fact that all Godly religions prohibit these. Now if some Muslim does it, he is deemed to have disobeyed his creator, Allah the Almighty.  Likewise adultery and sex outside marital bonds has become a norm all over the word. Even is some countries man and woman live with the marital bond and have children and then decide to marry or walk their separate ways. This is in fact collapse of the moral fiber of the society and an easy way to escape the responsibility of raising and owning a family and having legitimate children.

Thus Islam lays down responsibilities and guardianship over everyone so that everyone is respected, honoured and accounted for:

“Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody.  The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it.”

This is just the introduction - we will continue to talk about the subject in our coming posts.

Photo

If you like My Ultimate Decision, follow us on Facebook to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More