An Inquiry into the Rulings of Sharia Concerning the Death of a Martyr in the Light of Ghuniatu al-Qari’s Interpretation

Abstract

“Martyr” means being present, and the soul of a martyr is also present in 
Paradise that is why he is called a martyr. In Islamic terminology, a martyr is a Muslim who is killed unjustly, and no diyah (blood money) is required for his killing, and he did not gain any worldly benefit after being wounded in battle.Jurists have mentioned three types of martyrs: Martyr of this world and the hereafter: This type of martyr has seven conditions, and his ruling is that he will not be given a bath or shroud. However, there is a difference of opinion among jurists regarding his funeral prayer. Martyr of the hereafter: This is the martyr who is not a martyr in the worldly sense but is a martyr in terms of reward and recompense. His ruling is like that of ordinary deceased persons, i.e., he will be given a bath and shroud. Martyr of this world: This is the unfortunate person who sacrificed his life but did not intend to please Allah, and all the conditions of the first type of martyrs are present in him. His ruling is that he will not be given a bath or shroud.
The virtues of martyrdom are established from numerous verses of the 
Quran, such as Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 154, Surah Al-Imran, verses 169-171, Surah At-Tawbah, verse 111, and Surah Muhammad, verse 6. Many hadiths have also been narrated about the virtues of martyrdom. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself expressed a desire for martyrdom. When Hazrat Harith bin Malikah (may Allah be pleased with him) was stabbed, he kept smearing his blood on his body and said, “I have succeeded, by the Lord of the Ka’bah!”May Allah grant us a blessed life in this world and martyrdom in the hereafter