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 Nasaï reported 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.)
*by Daud Matthews
