The Correct Ruling on the Issue of Categorically Declaring That So-and-So Is a Martyr
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The Shaykh : And there is a distinction between this and that, and for this reason we say: whoever is killed in the cause of Allah is a martyr. So if a man is killed in battle, and we know his faith and we know his truthfulness, do we say that he is specifically a martyr? No. And for this reason, al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) titled this specific issue in his book, saying: "Chapter: It is not said that so-and-so is a martyr", and he derived this from the authentic hadith: Mishkat al-Masabih 3802 So his statement: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1656Sahih (Darussalam) prevents specific designation, because we do not know. So it is not said: so-and-so is a martyr, even if he was killed in battle. But we say: whoever is killed in the cause of Allah is a martyr. And for this reason, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon and said: meaning from looting. And praise be to Allah, if this is the case, then he is a martyr, and it does not harm him if we do not testify to it for him. And if he is in another state, then he is not a martyr, and it does not benefit him if what? If we testify to it for him.
Just as we say that every believer is in Paradise, but if we see a person who is truly a believer in what appears to us, we do not testify to him that he is in Paradise.
No one is wounded in God's path, and God knows best those who are wounded in His path, without coming on the day of resurrection with his wound spouting blood, the colour being that of blood but the fragrance that of musk.
ما من مكلوم يكلم في سبيل الله والله أعلم بمن يكلم في سبيله إلا جاء يوم القيامة وجرحه يثعب دما اللون لون الدم والريح ريح المسكand Allah knows better about who has been injured in His cause
الله أعلم بمن يكلم في سبيلهYou say that so-and-so is a martyr, and perhaps he has loaded his camel with [looted goods]
إنكم تقولون فلان شهيد ولعله قد أوقر رحلهSo do not say this, but say: whoever dies or is killed in the cause of Allah is a martyr
فلا تقولوا هكذا ولكن قولوا من مات أو قتل في سبيل الله فهو شهيدJust as we say that every believer is in Paradise, but if we see a person who is truly a believer in what appears to us, we do not testify to him that he is in Paradise.