This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abi Abdul Saboor Abdul Ghafoor Damni's book Fazail al-Jihad.
عن عبد الله بن أبى قتادة عن أبى قتادة أنه سمعه يحدث عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قام فيهم فذكر لهم أن الجهاد فى سبيل الله والإيمان بالله أفضل الأعمال فقام رجل فقال يا رسول الله! أرأيت إن قتلت فى سبيل الله تكفر عني خطاياي فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: نعم إن قتلت فى سبيل الله وأنت صابر محتسب مقبل غير مدبر ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: كيف قلت؟ قال أرأيت إن قتلت فى سبيل الله أتكفر عني خطاياي فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: نعم وأنت صابر محتسب مقبل غير مدبر إلا الدين فإن جبريل عليه السلام قال لي ذلك.
"Abdullah bin Abi Qatada narrates from his father Abi Qatada, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that he was among the companions. He informed them that Jihad in the way of Allah and faith in Allah are the most virtuous deeds. A man (companion) stood up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Tell me, if I am killed in the way of Allah, will my sins be forgiven?' The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'Yes. If you are killed in such a state in the way of Allah that you are patient, hopeful for the reward from Allah, advancing in the enemy's ranks and not fleeing behind (then all your sins will be forgiven).' After saying this, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, asked him again: 'What did you say?' He said: 'Tell me, if I am killed in the way of Allah, will all my sins be forgiven?' The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'Yes. If you are killed in such a state in the way of Allah that you are patient, hopeful for the reward from Allah, advancing and not fleeing behind (then all your sins will be forgiven) except for debt. Indeed, Gabriel, peace be upon him, has just informed this.'"
Reference: (Sahih Muslim) (Narrated by Muslim, Book of Leadership, Chapter: Whoever is killed in the way of Allah, his sins are forgiven except debt, Number: 1885)
Explanation and Benefits
➊ Muhtasib means: one who purely intends the exaltation of Allah's religion. One who fights for tribalism, nationalism, or linguistic reasons and is killed is only a victim.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saying ”الا الدين“ upon the second inquiry was due to fresh revelation, which shows that the Noble Prophet ﷺ was not omniscient.
➌ From the exception of ”إلا الدين“, it is understood that Allah forgives the remaining sins of a martyr, but if any mistake related to the rights of people has occurred, it is not forgiven, especially debts. And Allah knows best.
➍ This hadith also shows that the basis of action is intention.
➎ Justification for encouraging beloved deeds: From the mentioned hadith, the justification for encouraging any good deed is derived. As the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has declared Jihad in the way of Allah and faith in Allah as the best of deeds.
