Seven types of martyrdom besides fighting
📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3111
Jabir ibn ‘Atik reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “There are seven martyrs besides one who is killed in the way of Allah: the victim of plague is a martyr, the one who drowns is a martyr, the one who dies of chest pain is a martyr, the one who dies of stomach infection is a martyr, the one who burns to death is a martyr, the one who dies under rubble is a martyr, and the pregnant woman who dies in labor is a martyr.
Description
The Prophet ﷺ explained that martyrdom (shahādah) is not restricted only to those who die in open battle. “In the way of Allah” refers to anyone who sincerely sacrifices for Allah’s cause – whether by protecting the innocent, defending themselves from oppression, or leaving their homes because they were prevented from worshiping Allah. Such people die as martyrs even outside the battlefield, because they stood firm in faith and faced harm with patience.
Other Types of Martyrs Mentioned
Besides those killed defending faith and justice, the Prophet ﷺ counted many more deaths as martyrdom:
- The victim of plague.
- The one who drowns.
- The one who dies of chest pain.
- The one who dies of stomach illness.
- The one who burns to death.
- The one who dies under rubble or collapse.
- The woman who dies in childbirth.
This hadith shows that martyrdom is granted to good believers who did their best in life but were taken by Allah through painful or tragic circumstances. Their deaths cleanse them of sins and elevate them to the rank of martyrs. It is Allah’s mercy that those who suffered hardship – whether from oppression, illness, or disaster – are honored in the same way as those who fell in battle for His cause.
Quranic Context
📖Quran 4:100
“Whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many places of refuge and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him — his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah.”
📖Quran 22:58–59
“And those who emigrated in the way of Allah and were killed or died — Allah will surely provide them a good provision. And indeed, Allah is the best of providers. He will admit them to an entrance they will be pleased with, and indeed Allah is Knowing and Forbearing.
📖Quran 2:155–156
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.
📖Quran 3:169
“Do not think of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.