Martyrdom (Shahadat) in Islam has the highest rank among all the good deeds done by a Muslim. It is that brilliant rank which is bestowed on very few, those who are really blessed. It is the loftiest rank and the best way to end one’s life. Even though Martyrs are dead in this life, their souls are alive and receiving provisions in the dwelling of everlasting life. There are two broad categories of Martyrdom in Islam. First, if someone is killed in a battle against the disbelievers whilst facing the enemy and whose only objective is to make the Word of Allah supreme and not for any worldly gain or out of zeal, or showing off, such a person gets the highest reward of Martyrdom. The second group are those who die due to certain ailments or calamities, Allah will bestow His grace upon these Muslims by making it means of erasing their sins and increasing their reward and enabling them to attain the rank of Martyrdom. This group, although not recognized and treated as martyrs in this world, will receive rewards of martyrs in the Hereafter. The following 3 Hadiths describe the people of this category:

1) In 'Bukhari and Muslim' it is reported that Prophet PBUH mentioned five types of Martyrs: “One who dies in a plague, one who dies of incurable disease (abdominal disease as per the Arabic word used in the hadith), one who dies of drowning, one who dies under a collapsed building, and one who is killed in Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah only).” When Prophet PBUH was asked why plague is considered as martyrdom, He replied, “It used to be a form of punishment that Allah would send on people, but He made it a mercy for the believers. Any believer who perseveres through it will get the reward of a martyr”.

2) In 'Ahmad' it is reported that Prophet PBUH mentioned seven types of Martyrs ”The first 5 as listed above and added 2 more “one who dies in a fire and a woman who dies during child-birth.”

3) In 'Tirmithi' it is stated that Prophet PBUH also mentioned: “Whoever dies while protecting one’s property, life, family or religion is also a Martyr”.

It is mentioned in the Holy Quran, “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. Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them- that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost-” [3:169-171]

It is mentioned in the Holy Quran, “then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddeeqoon, the Martyrs, and the righteous” [4:69]

Prophet PBUH said, “He who (sincerely) asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will raise him to the high status of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.”[Muslim]

Prophet PBUH said, “A martyr only feels from the effect of being killed that which one would when being stung by a mosquito." [Tirmidhi]

Prophet PBUH said, "No one who enters Paradise will want to come back to the world and have anything on the earth except the Shaheed. He will wish to return to the world and be killed ten times because of the honour he sees." [Bukhari]