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Reading Islam
» Ask About Islam
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Last Update: 03:41 GMT, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
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| Question and
Answer Details |
| Name of Questioner |
Taylor
- Canada
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| Title |
Who is a Martyr? |
| Date |
07/Apr/2003 |
| Question |
Why do Muslims think that the only way to go to heaven is to be a martyr? Can’t you do good deeds and have the paradise for that? |
| Topic |
Islamic Creed, Politics & Economics
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| Name of Counselor |
Daud Matthews
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| Answer
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Salaam Taylor,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed Muslims do believe that reaching paradise can be through good deeds and filling the universe with peace! In fact, even martyrdom has many forms...
Jabir ibn `Utayk reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"There are seven kinds of martyrs besides those killed in wars, defending the cause of Allah:
- A person who is killed in an epidemic
- A person who is drowned
- A person who has bedsores, causing fever and cough resulting in his death
- A person who dies of a stomach disease
- A person who dies in fire
- A person who dies under falling debris [in a disaster]
- A woman who dies during childbirth."
(Ahmad, Abu-Dawud and Nasa’i report this hadith, based on sound authority.)
Abu-Hurayrah also reported that God’s messenger (pbuh) asked:
"Who do you consider to be a martyr?"
They said:
"O Allah's prophet, he who is killed fighting for the cause of Allah."
The prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"[If this is so] then very few in my community will be martyrs!"
They asked:
"Who else are they, O Allah's messenger?"
He said:
"He who is killed fighting for Allah's cause is a martyr, he who dies in the cause of Allah is a martyr, he who dies in an epidemic is a martyr, he who dies from a stomach disease is a martyr, and he who dies of drowning is [also] a martyr." (Reported by Muslim.)
Also, Sa`id ibn Zayd reported that the prophet (pbuh) said:
"He who is killed while guarding his property is a martyr, he who is killed while defending himself is a martyr, he who is killed defending his religion is a martyr, and he who is killed protecting his family is [also] a martyr." (Reported by Ahmad and Tirmidhi. The latter considers it a sound hadith.)
To conclude dear Taylor, Islam is a religion of Justice. If the injustice in any region or situation is addressed, any problem will be resolved. War will not solve any problem by itself; it only sets the terms for any subsequent negotiations for a fair resolution of conflict.
And, Allah knows best.
If you need to know more about martyrdom and jihad, please read the following: Die and Live… for a Belief No “Holy” Wars… When and How to Fight Another Meaning for Jihad…
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