From WikiIslam
As with adultery and justice, the term martyr in Islam differs from the modern/secular and Biblical definitions of the word.
[edit] Biblical/Secular Definition of a Martyr
One who suffers for the sake of principle; one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion.
One who willingly accepts being put to death for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs.
1. One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.
2. One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.
[edit] Examples of Martyrs
An Athenian jury ordered that Socrates (469–399 B.C.E.), the Western world's first recorded martyr, die by poison (the hemlock cup) when he refused to give up his dangerously public insistence that all men and women possessed souls, which knew the difference between good and evil, and were obliged to question historic and religious authority so as to discover the truth for themselves.
Numerous accounts of Jewish martyrs can be found in the First Book of the Maccabees and the Second Book of the Maccabees.
In the New Testament, Stephen was recorded as the first Christian martyr.[1]
The Stoning of Stephen
When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
[edit] Islamic Definition of a Martyr
Shahid (Arabic: شَهيد šahīd, plural: شُهَداء šuhadā, alternately latinised as shaheed) is an Arabic word meaning "witness". It is a religious term in Islam, meaning "witness", as stated, but most often "martyr." It is used as a title for Muslims who have died fulfilling a religious commandment, or waging war for Islam.
Although the accepted definition of the martyr is also applied to Muslims as in the case of Sumayah, the mother of ‘Ammaar ibn Yaasir, Muslims soldiers who die while engaging in jihad are also considered martyrs in Islam.
This is a classic example of the use of doublespeak. By using the word "martyr" when describing Muslim warriors, the reader (or listener) is deceived in believing that the person was murdered for their faith rather than someone who was killed while actively engaging in violence and warfare.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause."
[edit] Other Ways to Become a Martyr
Here Muhammad adds another way for someone to become a martyr:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As:
I heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever is killed while protecting his property then he is a martyr."
In other words, if someone tries to steal from a Muslim and that Muslim dies while trying to protect his property, then he is a martyr.
Abu Huraira reported: A person came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, what do you think if a man comes to me in order to appropriate my possession? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Don't surrender your possession to him. He (the inquirer) said: If he fights me? He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Then fight (with him). He (the inquirer) again said: What do you think if I am killed? He (the Holy Prophet) observed: You would be a martyr. He (the inquirer) said: What do you think of him (Messenger of Allah) If I kill him. He (the Holy Prophet) said: he would be in the Fire.
The list goes on and on:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "He (a Muslim) who dies of an abdominal disease is a martyr, and he who dies of plague is a martyr."
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (through another chain of transmitters) that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Whom do you consider to be a martyr among you? They (the Companions) said: Messenger, of Allah, one who is slain in the way of Allah is a martyr. He said: Then (if this is the definition of a martyr) the martyrs of my Umma will be small in number. They asked: Messenger of Allah, who are they? He said: One who is slain in the way of Allah is a martyr; one who dies in the way of Allah, is a martyr; one who dies of plague is a martyr; one who dies of cholera is a martyr.
Ibn Miqsam said: I testify the truth of your father's statement (with regard to this tradition) that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: One who is drowned is a martyr.
Narrated AbuMalik al-Ash'ari:
AbuMalik heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: He who goes forth in Allah's path and dies or is killed is a martyr, or has his neck broken through being thrown by his horse or by his camel, or is stung by a poisonous creature, or dies on his bed by any kind of death Allah wishes is a martyr and will go to Paradise.
And here Muhammad declares a soldier engaged in offensive warfare who accidently killed himself with his own sword to be a martyr:
Narrated AbuSalam:
AbuSalam reported on the authority of a man from the companion of the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him). He said: We attacked a tribe of Juhaynah. A man from the Muslims pursued a man of them, and struck him but missed him. He struck himself with the sword. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Your brother, O group of Muslims. The people hastened towards him, but found him dead. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) wrapped him with his clothes and his blood, and offered (funeral) prayer for him and buried him. They said: Apostle of Allah, is he a martyr? He said: Yes, and I am witness to him.
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