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'''Shahid''' (شَهيد , plural: شُهَداء šuhadā) is an Islamic term for a ''martyr''. As with [[adultery]] and [[justice]], the term ''martyr'' in [[Islam]] differs from the commonly agreed upon definitions of the word. | |title=Shaheed (Martyr) | ||
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'''Shahid''' (شَهيد , plural: شُهَداء šuhadā) is an Islamic term for a ''martyr''. As with [[adultery]] and [[justice]], the term ''martyr'' in [[Islam]] differs from the commonly agreed upon definitions of the word in Western English discourse. | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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"One who dies in a battle with the unbelievers, whether male or female, adult or not, whether killed by the unbelievers, or by his own weapon in error, or by having fallen off his mount, or having been found dead with no mark, provided he was sincere." [Kash-shaf al-Qina`, 2/113. See also Al-Mughni (2/206)]}} | "One who dies in a battle with the unbelievers, whether male or female, adult or not, whether killed by the unbelievers, or by his own weapon in error, or by having fallen off his mount, or having been found dead with no mark, provided he was sincere." [Kash-shaf al-Qina`, 2/113. See also Al-Mughni (2/206)]}} | ||
From this | From this it appears that those who die fighting in a way war considered to be a jihad are considered martyrs just as are those who are killed by a persecutor for their beliefs. | ||
=== In the Qur'an === | |||
{{Main|Parallels_Between_the_Qur%27an_and_Late_Antique_Judeo-Christian_Literature#Late_antique_Christian_Martyrdom}} | |||
Unlike most people who stay in an intermediate state after death until judgment day, known in Islamic tradition as the Barzakh,<ref>Reynolds, Gabriel Said. 2020. ''Allah:'' ''God in the Qur'an (p. 71).'' Yale University Press. Kindle Edition. </ref> when they will then be judged on their deeds and sent to heaven or hell, martyrs appear to 'sidestep' judgement day and are given direct access to paradise once dying, an idea which although not in the bible has antecedence in certain Christian thought in the centuries preceding Islam.<ref>Sinai, Nicolai. ''Qur'an: A Historical-Critical Introduction (The New Edinburgh Islamic Surveys) (pp. 301-302).'' Edinburgh University Press. Kindle Edition. | |||
See also commentary on verses Q2:154 and Q9:111 in ''The Qur'an and the Bible: Text and Commentary. pp 76 & 322.'' Gabriel Said Reynolds. 2018.</ref> | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|169}}|And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision}}{{Quote|{{Quran|2|154}}|Do not say that those who are killed in the way of God, are dead, for indeed they are alive, even though you are not aware.}} | |||
===In the hadith=== | ===In the hadith=== | ||
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In addition to being killed while actively engaging in violence and warfare, here [[Muhammad]] adds another way for someone to become a martyr: | In addition to being killed while actively engaging in violence and warfare, here [[Muhammad]] adds another way for someone to become a martyr: | ||
{{Quote|1={{Bukhari| | {{Quote|1={{Bukhari|||2480|darussalam}}|2=Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As: | ||
I heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever is killed while protecting his property then he is a martyr."}} | I heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever is killed while protecting his property then he is a martyr."}} | ||
In other words, if someone tries to steal from a Muslim and that Muslim dies while trying to protect his property, then he is a martyr. | In other words, if someone tries to steal from a Muslim and that Muslim dies while trying to protect his property, then he is a martyr. | ||
{{Quote|1={{Muslim| | {{Quote|1={{Muslim||140|reference}}|2=Abu Huraira reported: A person came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, what do you think if a man comes to me in order to appropriate my possession? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Don't surrender your possession to him. He (the inquirer) said: If he fights me? He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Then fight (with him). He (the inquirer) again said: What do you think if I am killed? He (the Holy Prophet) observed: You would be a martyr. He (the inquirer) said: What do you think of him (Messenger of Allah) If I kill him. He (the Holy Prophet) said: he would be in the Fire.}} | ||
{{Quote|1={{Bukhari| | {{Quote|1={{Bukhari|||5733|darussalam}}|2=Narrated Abu Huraira: | ||
The Prophet said, "He (a Muslim) who dies of an abdominal disease is a martyr, and he who dies of plague is a martyr."}} | The Prophet said, "He (a Muslim) who dies of an abdominal disease is a martyr, and he who dies of plague is a martyr."}} | ||
{{Quote|1={{Muslim| | {{Quote|1={{Muslim||1915a|reference}}|2=It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (through another chain of transmitters) that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Whom do you consider to be a martyr among you? They (the Companions) said: Messenger, of Allah, one who is slain in the way of Allah is a martyr. He said: Then (if this is the definition of a martyr) the martyrs of my Umma will be small in number. They asked: Messenger of Allah, who are they? He said: One who is slain in the way of Allah is a martyr; one who dies in the way of Allah, is a martyr; one who dies of plague is a martyr; one who dies of cholera is a martyr. | ||
Ibn Miqsam said: I testify the truth of your father's statement (with regard to this tradition) that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: One who is drowned is a martyr.}} | Ibn Miqsam said: I testify the truth of your father's statement (with regard to this tradition) that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: One who is drowned is a martyr.}} | ||
{{Quote|1={{ | {{Quote|1={{Abu Dawud||2499|darussalam}}|2=Narrated AbuMalik al-Ash'ari: | ||
AbuMalik heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: He who goes forth in Allah's path and dies or is killed is a martyr, or has his neck broken through being thrown by his horse or by his camel, or is stung by a poisonous creature, or dies on his bed by any kind of death Allah wishes is a martyr and will go to Paradise.}} | AbuMalik heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: He who goes forth in Allah's path and dies or is killed is a martyr, or has his neck broken through being thrown by his horse or by his camel, or is stung by a poisonous creature, or dies on his bed by any kind of death Allah wishes is a martyr and will go to Paradise.}} | ||
And here Muhammad declares a soldier engaged in offensive warfare who accidently killed himself with his own sword to be a martyr: | And here Muhammad declares a soldier engaged in offensive warfare who accidently killed himself with his own sword to be a martyr: | ||
{{Quote|1={{ | {{Quote|1={{Abu Dawud||2539|darussalam}}|2=Narrated AbuSalam: | ||
AbuSalam reported on the authority of a man from the companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said: We attacked a tribe of Juhaynah. A man from the Muslims pursued a man of them, and struck him but missed him. He struck himself with the sword. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Your brother, O group of Muslims. The people hastened towards him, but found him dead. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wrapped him with his clothes and his blood, and offered (funeral) prayer for him and buried him. They said: Apostle of Allah, is he a martyr? He said: Yes, and I am witness to him.}} | AbuSalam reported on the authority of a man from the companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said: We attacked a tribe of Juhaynah. A man from the Muslims pursued a man of them, and struck him but missed him. He struck himself with the sword. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Your brother, O group of Muslims. The people hastened towards him, but found him dead. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wrapped him with his clothes and his blood, and offered (funeral) prayer for him and buried him. They said: Apostle of Allah, is he a martyr? He said: Yes, and I am witness to him.}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi||6|46|3800}}|Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: '''"Rejoice, 'Ammar, the transgressing party shall kill you."'''<br>Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)}} | {{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi||6|46|3800}}|Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: '''"Rejoice, 'Ammar, the transgressing party shall kill you."'''<br>Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)}} | ||
== | ==In modern times== | ||
==="Martyrdom Operations"=== | |||
Some modern scholars of the Salafi-Jihadist tradition apply the word for what they call "Martyrdom Operations" i.e. suicide bombings. This is highly controversial since suicide is forbidden in traditional Islamic law. Many other Islamic scholars have condemned such activites, even more so when women and children are targeted. Large surveys in the second decade of the 21st century have found a trend of increasing majorities who disapprove of al Qaeda and suicide attacks against civilians in most Muslim countries.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/09/10/muslim-publics-share-concerns-about-extremist-groups/ Widespread concerns about extremism in Muslim nations, and little support for it] Pew Research Centrue, 2015</ref><ref> | |||
[https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/07/01/concerns-about-islamic-extremism-on-the-rise-in-middle-east/ Concerns about Islamic Extremism on the Rise in Middle East] Pew Research Centrue, 2014</ref> For more information, see [[Houri_(Heavenly_Virgin)#Association_with_Martyrdom|Houris (Heavenly_Virgin)]]. | |||
{{Quote|1=[http://web.archive.org/web/20040823223253/http://www.muslimcreed.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=44 Are Martyrdom Operations Lawful (According to Quran and Sunnah)?]<BR>Abdul Aziz Ibn Myatt, Muslim Creed, August 18, 2004|2='''Martyrdom Operations''' - sometimes called Fidayee attacks (see Note 1) - are those where a Muslim, a Mujahid, attacks the enemy in such a way that the death of that Muslim is (should Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) so will it) highly likely. The history of Islam is replete with heroes who have sacrificed their own life for the Way of Life which is Al-Islam.* | {{Quote|1=[http://web.archive.org/web/20040823223253/http://www.muslimcreed.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=44 Are Martyrdom Operations Lawful (According to Quran and Sunnah)?]<BR>Abdul Aziz Ibn Myatt, Muslim Creed, August 18, 2004|2='''Martyrdom Operations''' - sometimes called Fidayee attacks (see Note 1) - are those where a Muslim, a Mujahid, attacks the enemy in such a way that the death of that Muslim is (should Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) so will it) highly likely. The history of Islam is replete with heroes who have sacrificed their own life for the Way of Life which is Al-Islam.* | ||
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===Fatwas=== | ===Fatwas=== | ||
Below is a fatwa issued by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, discussing the reasons why even women are permitted to participate in "Martyr Operations". | In 2018, a book detailing a fatwa against suicide bombings was issued on behalf of 1,800 Pakistani clerics.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-religion-idUSKBN1F50L3 Pakistan clerics issue fatwa against suicide bombings] Reuters 16 January 2018</ref> In 2010 a Pakistani-Canadian cleric, Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri, issued a 600 page [[w:Fatwa on Terrorism|Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings]] in Urdu and English to refute the ideology of al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and was endorsed by the prestigious al-Azhar University in Cairo. | ||
Below is a fatwa issued by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, discussing the reasons why he thinks even women are permitted to participate in "Martyr Operations". | |||
{{Quote|1=[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545134 Palestinian Women Carrying Out Martyr Operations]<BR>Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Islam Online, November 6, 2006|2=Women’s participation in the martyr operations carried out in Palestine – given the status of the land as an occupied territory, in addition to a lot of sacrilegious acts perpetrated by the Jews against the sanctuaries – is one of the most praised acts of worship. Also, the act is a form of martyrdom in the Cause of Allah, and it entitles them, Insha’ Allah, to the same reward earned by their male counterparts who also die in the Cause of Allah.<BR>. . .<BR> | {{Quote|1=[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545134 Palestinian Women Carrying Out Martyr Operations]<BR>Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Islam Online, November 6, 2006|2=Women’s participation in the martyr operations carried out in Palestine – given the status of the land as an occupied territory, in addition to a lot of sacrilegious acts perpetrated by the Jews against the sanctuaries – is one of the most praised acts of worship. Also, the act is a form of martyrdom in the Cause of Allah, and it entitles them, Insha’ Allah, to the same reward earned by their male counterparts who also die in the Cause of Allah.<BR>. . .<BR> | ||
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Here is another excerpt taken from a longer fatwa by Muslim scholar Sheikh al-Uyayri, explaining in depth why suicide bombings and killing of civilians (including Muslims) via the use of them as "human shields" is permissible in Islam. | Here is another excerpt taken from a longer fatwa by Muslim scholar Sheikh al-Uyayri, explaining in depth why suicide bombings and killing of civilians (including Muslims) via the use of them as "human shields" is permissible in Islam. | ||
{{Quote| | {{Quote|The Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Martyrdom Operations<BR>Sheikh al-Uyayri|We have arrived at the conclusion that martyrdom operations are permissible, and in fact '''the Mujahid who is killed in them is better than one who is killed fighting in the ranks''', for there are gradations even among martyrs, corresponding to their role, action effort and risk undertaken. Then, we explained how martyrdom operations are the least costly to the Mujahideen and most detrimental to the enemy. We have heard, as you must have, that '''most scholars today permit such operations; at least 30 Fatawa have been issued to this effect'''. We explained how this issue is derived from the issue of plunging single-handedly into the enemy ranks; something which is praiseworthy by the agreement of jurists. We then further stated that we preferred the view that such an action is permissible even if martyrdom is the only goal, although it is certainly not the optimal practice. Martyrdom operations should not be carried out unless certain conditions are met: | ||
1. One's intention is sincere and pure - to raise the Word of Allah. <BR> | 1. One's intention is sincere and pure - to raise the Word of Allah. <BR> | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
{{Hub4|Heaven|Heaven}} | {{Hub4|Heaven|Heaven}} | ||