Riyad as-Salihin, 1354

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whom do you reckon to be martyr amongst you?" The Companions replied: "The one who is killed in Allah's way." He said, "In that case, the martyrs among my people would be few." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Then who are the martyrs?" He replied, "He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr; he who dies naturally in the Cause of Allah is a martyr; he who dies of plague is a martyr; and he who dies of a belly disease is a martyr; and he who is drowned is a martyr." [Muslim]. This Hadith shows the care Allah has for this Ummah, which is the best Ummah of mankind. (Editor's Note)

وعنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏"‏ما تعدون الشهداء فيكم‏؟‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله من قتل في سبيل الله فهو شهيد‏.‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن شهداء أمتي إذًا لقليل‏!‏‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ فمن يا رسول الله ‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏من قتل في سبيل الله فهو شهيد، ومن مات في سبيل الله فهو شهيد، ومن مات في الطاعون فهو شهيد، ومن مات في البطن فهو شهيد، والغريق شهيد‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 11, Hadith 70

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) Allah Almighty honors this Muslim Ummah as He has increased the types of martyrs so that they will receive greater rewards. 2) He who goes out for the sake of Allah, intending to emigrate in His cause, or dies on the way to Jihad, is a martyr as far as the Hereafter is concerned. Note: The types of martyrs are not limited to those mentioned in this Hadith. Rather, there are others, like a woman who dies during her postpartum period and a person who dies from burning, tuberculosis, etc., as mentioned in relevant authentic Hadiths.

Related hadiths1

Sahih Muslim1915 asahih