I heard somewhere that if a woman dies in childbirth or a person dies in a natural disaster then they can be called martyrs. Why is this so - what is the definition of 'martyr' in Islam and how do these people fit in with the concept?
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2007-01-31 23:31:04 · 20 answers · asked by Nikita21 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I saw this on wikipedia (which of course means it must be true?!):
'Shaheed (Arabic: شهيد šahīd, plural: شهداء šuhadā’) is a religious term in Islam, that literally means "witness". It is a title that is given to a Muslim after his death, if he died during the fulfillment of a religious commandment, or during a war for the religion'
In many religions women are encouraged to procreate, meaning you could see it as a religious obligation? Therefore, if she dies in childbirth would that not mean she is dying for a religious cause? I've heard of some tribal societies where women who die giving birth are honoured as warriors.
2007-01-31 23:50:21 · update #1
I have only heard of suicide bombers.
2007-01-31 23:34:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ollie 7 · 3⤊ 7⤋
I would assume that a martyr is exactly the same in all faiths: being a person who has died for what they believe in.
Looking in the Webster's Concise Dictioary & Thesaurus for the meaning it has the discription for a martyr as follows: Martyr, a person tortured for a belief or cause; a person who suffers from an illness, *vt to kill as a martyr; to make a martyr of,-
2007-01-31 23:41:29 · answer #2 · answered by Joolz of Salopia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Onewhosubmits" has given the best answer so far (not that there aren't other great answers too). In addition to that information are some other details regarding martyrdom and who is defined as a martyr, and also, who is not! There are two types of martyrs in Islam: those who die fighting in the cause of God (defending religion, not offending others), and those who died from certain situations they had no control over. Two Hadith (teachings of the Prophet, saws) also explain martyrdom, including those who die defending themselves, their family, their posessions, defending their faith, and those who die fighting to protect their rights. But this is not simply based on actions alone, it is also based on intentions as well! Another Hadith states: "“The first of men (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them. Then will Allah say: What did you do? He will say: I fought for You until I died as a martyr. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You fought that you might be called a brave warrior. And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into hell.”
Intentions play a HUGE role in manners and behaviors in Islam, and Muslims know (though some don't want to remember) that without the proper intentions, their actions are worthless. Wearing a headscarf to please your husband/family is worse than not wearing one at all. Praying to show others how good of a Muslim you are is worse than not praying at all. Giving large donations so that your name is recognized is worse than giving nothing at all in greed. You must have it in your heart to do good if you want to succeed in God's eyes.
Taking your own life as well as the lives of innocents are certainly not acceptible no matter what the reasons are. I'm not sure of the exact Hadith, but there is one in which a person was fighting against his oppressors and he was injured in the battle. He wanted to ease his own suffering so he thrust his own blade into his chest and died. He was not granted Heaven for taking his own life and not trusting in God. And a Hadith that states whoever takes his own life by something (an object or action) will be punished with the same (objects or actions) in hell.
Quran 4:29 "O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful!"
Hope it helps! Good luck!
2007-02-01 01:47:13 · answer #3 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A martyr is a person who is put to death or endures suffering because of a belief, principle or cause.In Arabic, a martyr is termed "shaheed"...there are so many different ways to consider someone is a martyr...and it all could be found in Al-Hadith (Prophet Muhammad deeds and speechs)..like the hopeless sick people of cancer or aids or even diabets..in ur question u've mentiond the woman who dies while in lapour.
u can go to www.islamonline.com
2007-02-01 00:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by L Z 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-02-01 02:45:35 · answer #5 · answered by BeHappy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May the peace, blessings and mercy of God be Upon you
Here you are from the authentic Hadith (sayings of the Prophet)
Book 16, Number 16.12.36:
...... What do you consider dying a martyr to be?" They said, "Death in the way of Allah." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are seven kinds of martyr other than those killed in the way of Allah. Someone who is killed by the plague is a martyr, someone who drowns is a martyr, someone who dies of pleurisy is a martyr, someone who dies of a disease of the belly is a martyr, someone who dies by fire is a martyr, someone who dies under a falling building is a martyr and a woman who dies in childbirth is a martyr."
Yes, it is because of this saying of the Prophet who said these people are martyrs. And I have to reitterate those Suicide Bombers are NOT MARTYRS by Scholarly Consensus. As they are fighting in an illegal war.
Please read this page for more information,
"Defending The Transgressed By Censuring The Reckless Against The Killing Of Civilians"
http://www.livingislam.org/maa/dcmm_e.html
2007-02-01 00:11:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Martyrs are welcomed to Allahs Paradise, their sins should be forgiven in the journey that they are authentic martyrs, not terrorist. there is not any such element as to the virgins. it really is information, videos and extremely ignorant people pointing out this. Do your study first before you anticipate or have self assurance something please. Mrs. Khan
2016-12-03 07:46:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To put it simply someone who dies in they way of God, this could be if some dies trying to help another, trying to improve oneself.
There are many misconceptions that this only refers to those fighting. It is true if you are killed fighting opression then you are martyr, those trying to bring peace through non violence are also considered martyrs, those that just simply fight against thier desires are also martyrs.
God is the one who decides is a martyr not any of us.
2007-01-31 23:47:55 · answer #8 · answered by By Any Means Necessary 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dear Nikita;
it is not true. in Islam has been said if a child dies then he goes to heaven. it doesn't mean he is martyr. a martyr is called to someone who been killed in the way of God's order.
2007-01-31 23:41:29 · answer #9 · answered by mhrhashemi 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A Martyr is a person who gives his life for his beliefs.
2007-01-31 23:34:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In islam matyrs means who dies while doing "jihad" ... there is not only one kind of jihad in islam ... one the biggest jihad in islam in "jihad-e-nasf" means "fighting with ur desires" it means a man who dies while fighting with his bad desires is matyr too...also if a muslims dies while fighting in the battlefield is matyr...but that doesn't mean he should fight with the right person...he should fight with evil....also mother is given a very strong position in islam...there was man who asked our holy prophet Mohammed(pbum) that"regarding to human rights who is the first person i should care about" prophet replied" ur mother" the man asked same question again and prophet replied "ur mother" again the man asked for the 3rd time and prophet replied"ur mother" it means mother gets the gold medal,silver medal and the bronze medal.....the man asked for the 4th time and prophet replied " ur father" so father gets only some gifts....so if a muslim women dies while giving birth to a baby it is possible that she is matyr...any muslim who died it is possible he is matyr but the condition is...if he is controlling his bad desires....... i mean "jihad-e-nasf"....And Allah knows the best
2007-02-01 00:57:46 · answer #11 · answered by FATIMA M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋