The remainder of the answer to: Is it permissible to describe one who died in a battle between Muslims and disbelievers as a martyr?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : So what is he? A martyr, whether we say so or not. And if he is not a martyr, our saying that he is a martyr will not benefit him.
The questioner : Is he washed...
The Shaykh : Yes, he is treated outwardly as a martyr, as is known outwardly, because in this world we treat a person based on his outward appearance. But in the Hereafter, a person is treated based on what is in his heart.
The questioner : He is treated based on his outward appearance, and...
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, he is treated based on his outward appearance. He is given the ruling of a martyr in legal matters. But we do not testify for him; we do not testify for him. Are we not currently praying over the funerals of Muslims? We pray over him as a Muslim and treat him as a Muslim. And the end of a Muslim is Paradise. So do we testify that this deceased is among the people of Paradise? No. Treatment is a different matter from testimony. Testimony is difficult, yes.
The questioner : Is he washed...
The Shaykh : Yes, he is treated outwardly as a martyr, as is known outwardly, because in this world we treat a person based on his outward appearance. But in the Hereafter, a person is treated based on what is in his heart.
The questioner : He is treated based on his outward appearance, and...
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes, he is treated based on his outward appearance. He is given the ruling of a martyr in legal matters. But we do not testify for him; we do not testify for him. Are we not currently praying over the funerals of Muslims? We pray over him as a Muslim and treat him as a Muslim. And the end of a Muslim is Paradise. So do we testify that this deceased is among the people of Paradise? No. Treatment is a different matter from testimony. Testimony is difficult, yes.