What is the reward of one who is martyred in the cause of Allah?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good: What is the reward of one who is martyred in the cause of Allah, in jihad or the like?
The Shaykh : Yes, yes. First: Do you know the meaning of "in the cause of Allah" and what it entails?
The questioner : For example, defending one's honor.
The Shaykh : No, defending one's honor is undoubtedly martyrdom, but it is not martyrdom in the cause of Allah. By that, I mean if a person, for example, sought to commit a heinous act against your family, you may defend yourself until you die. If you are killed, you are a martyr, but it is not martyrdom in the cause of Allah. Martyrdom in the cause of Allah is when a person is killed while fighting so that the word of Allah is the supreme word. This is the standard. If he is killed so that the word of Allah is the supreme word, he is a martyr. But do I testify that this specific man is a martyr? No, it is not permissible. Do you understand? Do not be deceived by the words of people now. Every person who is killed, even if killed for nationalism, Arabism, or the like, they say: "He is a martyr." This is not correct. Listen to the words of al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) in his *Sahih*. He titled a chapter: "Chapter: It is not said that so-and-so is a martyr" except for the ones whose status as martyrs is established, such as the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when he ascended the mountain at Uhud and the mountain shook, and he said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3697Sahih (Darussalam) The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), al-Siddiq Abu Bakr, and the two martyrs 'Umar and 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them). We testify that 'Uthman is a martyr, 'Umar is a martyr, and 'Ali is a martyr. But as for one who is killed while a mujahid, we do not say: "He is a martyr." Do you understand? Then al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) cited a hadith that may be obscure to many people, but al-Bukhari has wonderful derivations from the hadiths. He would bring a title and then a hadith that you would not think is related to the title, but his understanding was precise (may Allah have mercy on him). He brought a hadith and derived from its wording: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1656Sahih (Darussalam) that it is not permissible for us to say: "So-and-so is a martyr," because this knowledge is with Allah. The author of *Fath al-Bari* mentioned a report from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he gave a sermon and said: Do you understand? So we do not say to a specific person: "He is a martyr," even if he was killed in the ranks of the Muslims fighting the disbelievers. Allah knows best. Yes, that is right.
The questioner : What is his reward in the Hereafter?
The Shaykh : As for his reward, Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:[Al-Hadid 57:19] And He the Mighty and Majestic said: [Ali 'Imran 3:169-170] And He the Mighty and Majestic said: [Al-Baqarah 2:154] Yes.
The questioner : It was from the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he passed by a verse.
The Shaykh : It appears you are guests. You are not a guest unless they permit you. Do you permit him? Fine.
The Shaykh : Yes, yes. First: Do you know the meaning of "in the cause of Allah" and what it entails?
The questioner : For example, defending one's honor.
The Shaykh : No, defending one's honor is undoubtedly martyrdom, but it is not martyrdom in the cause of Allah. By that, I mean if a person, for example, sought to commit a heinous act against your family, you may defend yourself until you die. If you are killed, you are a martyr, but it is not martyrdom in the cause of Allah. Martyrdom in the cause of Allah is when a person is killed while fighting so that the word of Allah is the supreme word. This is the standard. If he is killed so that the word of Allah is the supreme word, he is a martyr. But do I testify that this specific man is a martyr? No, it is not permissible. Do you understand? Do not be deceived by the words of people now. Every person who is killed, even if killed for nationalism, Arabism, or the like, they say: "He is a martyr." This is not correct. Listen to the words of al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) in his *Sahih*. He titled a chapter: "Chapter: It is not said that so-and-so is a martyr" except for the ones whose status as martyrs is established, such as the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when he ascended the mountain at Uhud and the mountain shook, and he said:
Be firm O Uhud! For there is none upon you except a Prophet, a Siddiq, and two martyrs.
اسكن أو اسكت أحد فإنما عليك نبي وصديق وشهيدانThere is no one who is wounded in the cause of Allah, and Allah knows best who is wounded in His cause, except that on the Day of Resurrection he will come with his wound oozing blood, the color of blood and the scent of musk.
ما من مكلوم يكلم في سبيل الله والله أعلم بمن يكلم في سبيله إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة يجيء وجرحه يثعب دمًا اللون لون الدم والريح ريح المسكand Allah knows better about who has been injured in His cause
والله أعلم بمن يكلم في سبيلهO people, you say: "So-and-so is a martyr, so-and-so is a martyr," and perhaps he did such and such. But say: "Whoever is killed in the cause of Allah or dies, he is a martyr."
أيها الناس إنكم تقولون : فلان شهيد فلان شهيد ولعله أن يكون فعل كذا أو كذا ولكن قولوا : من قتل في سبيل الله أو مات فهو شهيدThe questioner : What is his reward in the Hereafter?
The Shaykh : As for his reward, Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
and the martyrs, with their Lord. For them is their reward and their light.
وَالشُّهَدَاءُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ(169) And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, (170) Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
وَلا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتاً بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ * فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِAnd do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.
وَلا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَكِنْ لا تَشْعُرُونَThe questioner : It was from the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he passed by a verse.
The Shaykh : It appears you are guests. You are not a guest unless they permit you. Do you permit him? Fine.