Signs of a Good Ending
There is no stability in any human’s life; neither does the emotional state remain steady nor do their actions and deeds always stay the same. Rather, ups and downs and highs and lows are part of human life. Environment, company, and circumstances compel a person to change. A righteous and pious person does not take long to change, and similarly, a criminal and sinful person sometimes turns around and comes onto the right path. History contains examples where drunkards, adulterers, and those addicted to sins have transformed themselves and adopted a life of piety and goodness, and there are also many examples where righteous and pious people have completely changed due to bad company and environment.
Islam has given Muslims the awareness to be concerned about their end, because the truth lies in the conclusion and the outcome. A person may perform good deeds and reach the gates of Paradise, but suddenly commit an act that causes him to fall into Hell… and another person may commit bad deeds and reach the edge of Hell, but then perform an act that makes him deserving of Paradise. Thus, Sayyid Nasahil bin Saad (RA) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw a person who was engaged in battle with the polytheists. He said:
“If anyone wants to see a person destined for Hell, let him look at this man.” Upon this, a companion followed that man. The man kept fighting continuously and eventually was wounded. Then he wished to die quickly, so he placed the edge of his own sword on his chest and threw himself upon it, and the sword passed through his shoulders (thus he committed suicide). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
(إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَعْمَلُ فِيْمَا يَرَى النَّاسُ عَمَلَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَيَعْمَلُ فِيْمَا يَرَى النَّاسُ عَمَلَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِخَوَاتِيْمِهَا)
“A person appears to people as one who does the deeds of the people of Paradise, while he is actually among the people of Hell. Another person appears to people as one who does the deeds of the people of Hell, while he is actually among the people of Paradise. And the deeds are only judged at the end.”
Sheikh Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has written a few signs of a good ending in his famous book “Kitab al-Jana’iz”. Here, we briefly mention the signs noted by the Sheikh, and with Allah’s help, we will add more signs.
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
The Lawgiver (peace be upon him) has mentioned some signs which can be taken as evidence of a person’s good ending. It is Allah’s grace and favor upon us that He has mentioned these signs for us. Whoever dies with any of these signs, it is glad tidings and good news for him.
Saying the Kalima Shahadah at the time of death
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
((مَنْ كَانَ آخِرُ كَلَامِهِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ))
“Whoever’s last words are ‘’’لا اله الا اللہ‘‘‘, he will enter Paradise.”
After the death of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, once Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه passed by Sayyiduna Talhah bin Ubaidullah رضي الله عنه and said:
Why are you distressed? Are you displeased with your cousin (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه) becoming the Amir al-Mu’minin? Sayyiduna Talhah رضي الله عنه replied:
No, rather the matter is that I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
(انّي لَأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةٌ لَا يَقُولُهَا اَحَدٌ عِنْدَ مَوتِهِ إِلَّا كَانَتْ نُورَ الصَّحِيفَةِ وَإِنْ جَسَدَهُ وَ رُوحَهُ لَيَجِدَانَ لَهَا رَوْحًا عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ)
“I know a phrase which, if a person says it at the time of death, it becomes the light of his record of deeds and at the time of death, it brings comfort to his body and soul.”
Sayyiduna Talhah رضي الله عنه said:
Alas, I could not ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about that phrase. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said:
I know that phrase. It is the same phrase which you instructed your uncle Abu Talib to say at his time of death. If the Prophet ﷺ had known any other phrase that could be a greater cause of salvation, he would have commanded him to recite that phrase.
It should be remembered that reciting the Kalima at the time of death is granted only to those who remain steadfast on monotheism throughout their lives, fulfilling the requirements of this Kalima and staying away from polytheism and innovation.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((مَا مِنْ نَفْسٍ تَمُوتُ تَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللهِ يَرْجِعُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَلْبِ مُوقِنِ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللهُ لَهَا))
“Whoever dies in a state testifying that there is no deity except Allah and that I (Muhammad ﷺ) am the Messenger of Allah, and this testimony is with heartfelt certainty, then Allah Almighty will forgive him.”
Sweating on the Forehead at the Time of Death
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Buraydah ibn Husayb (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((مَوْتُ الْمُؤْمِنِ بِعَرَقِ الْجَبِيْنِ))
“The believer dies with sweat on his forehead.”
This blessed hadith indicates a sign of the believer’s death, that he experiences sweat on his forehead at the time of death. What causes this sweating? Only Allah knows best, however, scholars have explained some reasons, for example:
This sweat occurs due to the intensity of the soul leaving the body, etc.
Dying on Friday or on the night of Friday:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(مَا مِن مُسْلِمٍ يَمُوتُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَوْلَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلَّا وَقَاهُ الله فِتْنَةَ الْقَبْرِ)
“Whoever dies on Friday or on the night of Friday, Allah Almighty will protect him from the torment of the grave.”
It is understood that dying on Friday or on the night of Friday is a sign of a good ending, but it should not be forgotten that merely dying on Friday is not sufficient; rather, fulfilling the fundamental condition of faith and righteous deeds is also necessary. Otherwise, disbelievers, hypocrites, and sinful and wicked people also die on Friday, but they do not benefit from it.
Being martyred while fighting in the way of Allah:
Allah the Exalted says:
(وَ لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ قُتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اَمْوَاتًاؕ-بَلْ اَحْیَآءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ یُرْزَقُوْنَ فَرِحِیْنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰىهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهٖۙ-وَ یَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِالَّذِیْنَ لَمْ یَلْحَقُوْا بِهِمْ مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْۙ-اَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَیْهِمْ وَلَاهُمْ یَحْزَنُوْنَ ،یَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَ فَضْلٍۙ-وَّ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُضِیْعُ اَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ)
“Those who are killed in the way of Allah, never consider them dead; rather, they are alive, being provided sustenance by their Lord. They rejoice in the provision that Allah has given them out of His bounty, and they are also pleased with those who have not yet joined them and remain behind (in this world), for they have no fear, nor will they grieve. They are very happy with the great favor and grace from Allah and sorrowful that indeed Allah does not let the reward of the believers go to waste.”
It is narrated from Sayyid Naqdam bin Ma’di Karib (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(لِلشَّهِيدِ عِنْدَ اللهِ سِتُّ خِصَالٍ: يُغْفَرُ لَهُ فِي أَوَّلِ دُفْعَةٍ مِنْ دَمِهِ، وَيُرى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ، وَيُجَارُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَيَأْمَنُ مِنَ الفَزَعِ الأَكْبَرِ، وَيُحَلَّى حُلَّةَ الْإِيْمَانِ وَيُزَوِّجُ مِنَ الْحُوْرِ الْعِيْنِ وَيُشَفَعُ فِي سَبْعِينَ إِنسَانًا مِنْ أَقَارِبِهِ»)
“Allah has six rewards for the martyr:”
With the first drop of blood, he is forgiven, his place in Paradise is shown to him, he is protected from the torment of the grave, he will be safe from the great anxiety of the Day of Judgment, he will be clothed with the garment of faith, he will be married to beautiful-eyed houris, and his intercession will be accepted for seventy of his relatives.”
Rashid bin Saad (RA), narrates from a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that a man said:
O Messenger of Allah! Why is it that the believers are tested in their graves but the martyr is not? You said:
(كَفَى بِبَارِقَةِ السُّيُوفِ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ فِتْنَةٌ)
“The shining sword over his head is sufficient as a test for him.”
There are many hadiths regarding the virtue of martyrdom. Only a few are mentioned here. It is sufficient for the virtue of martyrdom that the Leader of the Prophets ﷺ himself used to pray to Allah for a martyr’s death. Therefore, every Muslim should desire martyrdom. Whoever sincerely desires martyrdom with pure intention, Allah grants him the rank of martyrdom, even if he does not get the opportunity to fight in jihad practically.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sahl bin Hunayf رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(مَنْ سَأَلُ اللهَ الشَّهَادَةَ بِصِدْقٍ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ، بَلَغَهُ اللهُ مَنَازِل الشُّهَدَاءِ وَإِنْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ)
“Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him the ranks of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.”
One who dies by falling from a mount, one who is thrown down by an animal and dies from the animal’s bite, one who leaves home with the intention of jihad or migration, even if he dies a natural death, will attain the status of martyrdom. Due to sincere intention, Allah will elevate him to the rank of martyrdom. Allah the Exalted says:
(وَمَنْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَد وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللهِ وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا)
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah and His Messenger, then death overtakes him, indeed, the reward of Allah is upon him.”
(Sayyid Na Abu Imamah Bahili narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
اثَلَاثَةٌ كُلُّهُمْ ضَامِنٌ عَلَى اللهِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ : رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ غَازِيًا فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ عَلَى اللهِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ حَتَّى يَتَوَفَّاهُ فَيُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ اَوْيَرُدَّهُ بِمَانَالَ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَ غَنِيْمَةٍ وَرَجُلٌ دَخَلَ بَيْتَهُ بِسَلَامٍ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ عَلَى اللهِ)
“Allah Almighty guarantees three types of people:
The first is the person who sets out for jihad in the way of Allah; Allah guarantees him that even if he dies, He will admit him to Paradise or return him with reward, recompense, and spoils. The second is the person who goes to the mosque; Allah guarantees him that even if he dies, He will admit him to Paradise or return him with reward, recompense, and spoils. The third is the person who enters his home with peace (saying salam); Allah Almighty guarantees him.”
The above hadith is evidence that if a Mujahid does not become a martyr by fighting in battle, but dies a natural death on the way, he will still be counted as a martyr. Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) established a chapter in Sahih Bukhari with these words:
“بَابُ فَضْل مَنْ يُصْرَعُ فِي سَبِيْلِ الله فَمَاتَ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم”
“If a person dies by falling from a mount during jihad, he will also be counted among the Mujahideen.”
Under this heading, Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has narrated the following hadith:
Umm Haram bint Milhan (may Allah be pleased with her) says that one day the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) woke up from sleep smiling. I asked:
Why are you smiling? He said:
(In a dream) some people of my Ummah were presented before me who were going to fight jihad, riding on the flowing sea as if kings were on thrones. I asked:
Then pray for me as well that Allah makes me one of them. You prayed for them and went back to sleep, then woke up smiling as before. Umm Haram (RA) said:
Pray that Allah makes me one of them too, to which you replied:
“You will be among the first people.”
Thus, she participated with her husband, Ubada bin Samit (RA), in the very first Muslim naval fleet. During the time of Muawiya (RA), when the army landed on the coast of Syria after a battle, a mount was brought for Umm Haram (RA) to ride, but the animal threw her off and she passed away.
One who sincerely prays for martyrdom
Allah Almighty grants the status of martyrdom even to a person who sincerely prays for martyrdom, regardless of whether they die a natural death. However, it should be remembered that along with the desire and prayer for martyrdom, if a person gets the opportunity, they should participate in jihad by every possible means.
Only a person who has a sincere passion to sacrifice their body, wealth, and self for the sake of Allah’s religion can pray for martyrdom.
One who dies by dizziness and drowning during a sea journey
Sayyida Umm Haram (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(( المائد في البحر ، الذي يصيبه القيء ، له أجر شهيد ، والغرق له أجر شهيدين))
“Whoever experiences dizziness and vomiting during a sea journey will have the reward of one martyr, and whoever drowns will have the reward of two martyrs.”
One who dies by burning
It is narrated from Jabir bin ‘Atik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
الشَّهَادَةُ سَبْعٌ سِوَى القَتْل فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ : المَطْعُونُ شَهِيدٌ وَ الْغَرِقُ شَهِيدٌ وَ صَاحِبُ ذَاتِ الْجَنْبِ شَهِيدٌ وَ الْمَبْطُونُ شَهِيدٌ وَ صَاحِبُ الْحَرِيْقِ شَهِيدٌ وَ الَّذِي يَمُوْتُ تَحْتَ الْهَدْمِ شَهِيدٌ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ تَمُوتُ بِجُمْعِ شَهِيدٌ
Besides being killed in the way of Allah, there are seven other causes of martyrdom:
“One who dies from plague is a martyr, one who drowns in water is a martyr, one who dies from consumption (tuberculosis) is a martyr, one who dies from stomach ailments is a martyr, one who dies by burning in fire is a martyr, one who dies under a house or wall is a martyr, and the woman who dies due to the pain of childbirth is a martyr.”
Remaining steadfast in religion during times of trials
In a long hadith narrated from Abu Tha’laba Khushni (RA), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
((فَإِنَّ مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ أَيَّامَ الصَّبْرِ الصَّبْرُ فِيهِ مِثْلُ قَبْضٍ عَلَى الْجَمَرِ لِلْعَامِلِ فِيهِمْ مِثْلُ أَجْرٍ خَمْسِيْنَ رَجُلًا يَعْمَلُونَ مِثْلَ عمله))
“After you, days of patience will come, in which being patient in religion will be as difficult as holding a burning coal. Whoever acts in those times will receive the reward of fifty such actors.”
Guarding in the way of Allah
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salman Al-Farsi (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(الرِّبَاطُ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ شَهْرٍ وَقِيَامِهِ وَإِنْ مَاتَ جَرَى عَلَيْهِ عَمَلُهُ الَّذِي كَانَ يَعْمَلُهُ وَأَجْرِيَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ وَآمِنَ الفتان)
“Guarding a night in the way of Allah is better than fasting for a whole month and standing in prayer, and whoever dies while guarding, his deed will continue, his provision will continue, and he will be saved from the punishment of the grave.”
Sayyiduna Fudala bin Ubaid (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((كُلّ مَيّتٍ يُخْتَمُ عَلَى عَمَلِهِ إِلَّا الَّذِي مَاتَ مُرَابِطًا فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ فَإِنَّهُ يُنْهى لَهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَأْمَنُ فِتْنَةَ الْقَبْرِ))
“The deeds of every deceased person come to an end at the time of death, except for a sentinel; his deeds continue until the Day of Judgment, and he is protected from the punishment of the grave.”
Dying While Doing Good Deeds
Dying while doing good deeds is a sign of a good ending. That good deed can be any act, such as praying, fasting, engaged in remembrance, helping someone, or giving charity when death occurs.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِنَّ اللهَ إِذَا ارَادَ بِعَبْدِ خَيْرًا إِسْتَعْمَلَهُ» فَقِيلَ: كَيْفَ يَسْتَعْمِلُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ: يُوَفقُهُ لِعَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ قبل الْمَوْتِ
“When Allah Almighty intends good for a servant, He engages him in work. It was asked, how does He engage him in work? You said:
He grants him the ability to perform righteous deeds before death.”
One who dies from the plague
Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha Siddiqah (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ about the plague, and he said:
((إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَذَابًا يَبْعَثُهُ اللهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ فَجَعَلَهُ اللهُ رَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ فَلَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدِ يَقَعُ الطَّاعُوْنُ فَيَمْكُثُ فِي بَلَدِهِ صَابِرًا يَعَلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يُصِيبَهُ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللهُ لَهُ إِلَّا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ الشَّهِيدِ))
“Indeed, it was a punishment that Allah sent upon whomever He willed. Then Allah made it a mercy for the believers. Now, if any person remains patient in a city where the plague has spread, and he believes that nothing will befall him except what Allah has decreed, then he will receive the reward of a martyr.”
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(الطَّاعُونُ شَهَادَةٌ لِكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ)
“The plague is a cause of martyrdom for every Muslim.”
One who dies by being crushed under a wall, etc.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(الشُّهَدَاءُ خَمْسَةٌ: الْمَطْعُونُ وَالْمَبْطُونُ وَالغَرِيقُ وَصَاحِبُ الهَدْمِ والشَّهِيدُ فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهُ)
“Martyrs are of five kinds:”
The one who dies from the plague, the one who dies from a stomach disease, the one who drowns, the one who dies crushed under a wall, etc., and the one who is martyred while striving in the way of Allah.”
The one who dies from a stomach disease
In a long hadith narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA), the Prophet ﷺ said:
(وَ مَنْ مَاتَ فِي الْبَطْنِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ)
“Whoever dies from a stomach disease is a martyr.”
Abdullah bin Yasar narrates that I was sitting with Sulaiman bin Surad and Khalid bin Urfatah (RA) when people mentioned a person who had died from stomach pain. Each of these elders expressed a desire to attend his funeral. One of them said to the other:
Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ not say:
(مَنْ يَقْتُلُهُ بَطْنُهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبُ فِي قَبْرِهِ؟)
“Whoever dies from stomach pain will not be punished in the grave?”
The other replied:
Why not!
Stomach pain includes every disease related to the stomach, such as diarrhea, dysentery, intestinal cancer, etc.
Being Killed in Defense of Religion, Wealth, and Family
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Saeed bin Zaid رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
(مَنْ قُتِلَ دُوْنَ مَالِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُوْنَ أَهْلِهِ أَوْدُونَ دَمِهِ أَوْ دُونَ دِينِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ)
“Whoever is killed while protecting his wealth is a martyr, and whoever is killed while protecting his family or blood or religion is a martyr.”
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Suwaid bin Muqrin رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَنْ قُتِلَ دُوْنَ مَظْلَمَتِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ»
“Whoever fights for his right and is killed, he is a martyr.”
Dying while fighting to protect wealth means that if a thief or robber comes to steal a Muslim’s wealth and he does not give it to them, and because of this the thief kills him, then he is a martyr. Being killed for the sake of religion means that someone threatened him to abandon his religion or else he would be killed; he did not abandon his religion and accepted being killed.
The defense of blood means that if someone fights him, takes up a sword, and does not raise the sword against a Muslim to avoid fitnah (discord), and the attacker kills him, then he is a martyr.
One who is killed in defense of property
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه reports that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ أُرِيدَ مَالُهُ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍ فَقَاتَلَ فَقُتِلَ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ»
“Whoever’s property is wrongfully attempted to be taken and he fights in its defense, and then is killed in that, he is a martyr.”
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and asked:
O Messenger of Allah! If someone comes to take my property by force, what do you command regarding him? He said:
((فَلَا تُعْطِهِ مَالَكَ))
“Do not give him your property.”
He asked:
If he fights me?
He said:
(قَاتِلُهُ)
“Then fight him.”
He asked:
If he kills me?
He said:
(فَأَنْتَ شَهِيدٌ)
“Then you are a martyr.”
He said:
If I kill him?
You said:
(هُوَ فِی النَّار)
“He will go to the fire.”
It is narrated from Sayyidna Mukhariq (RA) that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked:
A person comes to me and tries to snatch my wealth, what should I do? You said:
(ذکره باللہ)
“Advise him by the command of Allah.”
He said:
If he does not accept the advice?
You said:
((فَاسْتَعِنْ عَلَيْهِ مَن حَوْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ))
“Then seek help from the people around you.”
He asked:
If there is no Muslim around me?
You said:
(فَاسْتَعِنْ عَلَيْهِ السُّلْطَانَ)
“Seek help from the ruler.”
He said:
If the ruler is also far from me?
You said:
(قَاتِلْ دُونَ مَالِكَ حَتَّى تَكُونَ مِن شُهَدَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ أَوْ تَمْنَعَ مَالَكَ)
“Then fight to protect your wealth until you are killed and become a martyr in the Hereafter or you save your wealth.”
One who gives life fighting in the way of Allah
Sayyidna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(مَا تَعُدُّونَ الشَّهِيدَ فِيكُمْ؟» قَالُوا: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ مَنْ قُتِلَ فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ قَالَ: «إِنَّ شُهَدَاءَ أُمَّتِي إِذًا لَقَلِيلٌ » قَالُوا: فَمَنْ هُمْ؟ يَارَسُوْلَ اللهِ! قَالَ: «مَنْ قُتِلَ فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ وَمَنْ مَاتَ فِي سَبِيْلِ اللهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ وَمَنْ مَاتَ فِي الطَّاعُوْنِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ وَمَنْ مَاتَ فِي الْبَطْنِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ وَالْغَرِيْقُ شَهِيدٌ)
Who do you consider a martyr? The Companions asked:
Whoever is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr. He said:
“Then there will be very few martyrs in my Ummah.” They asked: O Messenger of Allah! Then who are the martyrs? He said:
“Whoever is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr, and whoever dies in the way of Allah is also a martyr, the one who dies from plague is a martyr, the one who dies from stomach disease is a martyr, and the one who drowns is also a martyr.”
In the above blessed hadith, two types of people are classified as martyrs under the category of Fi Sabeelillah. One is the person who is killed in Jihad Fi Sabeelillah, and the other is the one who sets out in the way of Allah, that is, for Jihad, Hajj or Umrah, or seeking knowledge, and dies a natural death.
Dying in Madinah Munawwarah
Dying in Madinah Munawwarah is also a sign of a good ending. It is not within a person’s control to die wherever they wish, but they can certainly desire and pray to die in Madinah or try to spend the last part of their life in Madinah. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
((مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَن يَمُوتَ بِا لْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَفْعَلْ فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ لِمَنْ مَاتَ بِهَا))
“Whoever among you is able to die in Madinah, let him certainly try to do so, because whoever dies here, I will bear witness in his favor.”
In the end, we make the same prayer that Sayyiduna Umar (RA) made:
“اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي شَهَادَةً فِي سَبِيْلِكَ وَاجْعَلْ مَوْتِي فِي بَلَدِ رَسُولك”
O Allah! Grant us martyrdom in Your path and grant us death in the city of Your Messenger (ﷺ). آمین
