In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Types of Martyrdom

(In the Light of Hadith)

This is the second slide in the series related to a good ending (ḥusn al-khātimah), but since it contains all categories of martyrdom, its title has been changed.

6 — Death due to plague

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Plague is martyrdom for every Muslim.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

It is mentioned in Hadith that one should not leave a plague-affected area but remain patient; if death occurs, the person will be counted among the martyrs. However, people from other areas are forbidden from entering a plague-stricken region.

7 — Death due to abdominal illness

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever dies from an abdominal illness is a martyr.” (Sahih Muslim)

8–9 — Death by drowning or being crushed under debris

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Martyrs are five types: the one who dies from plague, the one who dies from an abdominal illness, the one who drowns, the one who is crushed under debris, and the one who is martyred in jihad in the path of Allah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

10 — Death of a woman due to childbirth

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A woman who dies because of childbirth is a martyr.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

11–12 — Death by burning or by pain in the side

Jabir bin ‘Atik رضي الله عنه narrated from the Prophet ﷺ: “Apart from the one killed in the path of Allah, martyrs are seven types: the one who dies of plague, the one who drowns, the one who dies from pain in the side, the one who dies from abdominal illness, the one who burns to death, the one who is crushed under debris, and the woman who dies due to childbirth — all of them are martyrs.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

13 — Death while defending one’s property

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever is killed while defending his property (in another narration: when someone attempts to take his property unlawfully and he is killed while defending it) is a martyr.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sunan Abu Dawud)

14–17 — Death while defending religion, life, and honor

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever is killed while defending his property is a martyr; whoever is killed while defending the honor of his family is a martyr; whoever is killed while defending his religion is a martyr; and whoever is killed while defending his life (blood) is a martyr.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Nasa’i)