MARTYRDOM FROM COVID-19

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum,

My mother recently tested Covid 19 positive  and then eventually passed away. The cause of her death was known to be Covid 19. According to Islamic ruling, to die from a plague, is regarded the death of a Shaheed (martyr), but Covid 19 is a virus and not a plague (according to the scientific classification). My question is, did she die the death of a Martyr?

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

We are extremely sorry to hear of the death of your mother due to the Covid-19 . May Allah forgive her and grant her Jannatul Firdaws.

With respect to what you have asked, we wish to state that many scholars have given the verdict that one who dies from the Covid-19 pandemic, gains the rewards of martyrdom in the life hereafter.

A number of traditions have been cited to show that such a death brings about the rewards as that of martyrdom for the person. In this regard, it is narrated from Abu Hurairah (R.A) that the Prophet (S.A.W) said, ‘The martyrs are of five types. They are: one who dies of the plague; one who dies of a disease of his stomach; one who drowns; one who dies under a building or wall which has collapsed, and the one who dies while fighting in the way of Allah’.(Saheeh Al Bukhari Hadith No. 2829; Saheeh Muslim Hadith No. 1914)

In another tradition, the Prophet (S.A.W) is reported to have said, ‘One who is killed in the path 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 a stomach disease is a martyr. (Saheeh Muslim Hadith No, 1915)

It is also narrated that the Prophet (S.A.W) said, ‘Plague is the cause of martyrdom of every Muslim’. (Saheeh Al Bukhari Hadith No. 2830; Saheeh Muslim Hadith No. 1916).

Other traditions make it evident that one who dies of chest pain is a martyr, one who is burnt to death is a martyr, and the pregnant woman who dies giving labor is a martyr. (Sunan Abi Dawood Hadith No 3111).

The above traditions show that death due to the above causes, bring about martyrdom to the believers. As mentioned by the great scholar, Ibn At Teen, ‘These deaths are such that there is pain and suffering in them, and Allah Has honored the Ummah (followers) of the Prophet (S.A.W) in a manner that He Has made it a way of purifying them from sins, and a means of increase in their rewards through which they would attain the rank of martyrdom’. (Fath Al Baari – Sharh of Saheeh Al Bukhari Vol. 6 pg 55 Qadeemi Kutub Karachi ).

However, it must be understood that martyrdom gained from fighting in the path of Allah is of a higher degree and of a different category than the others mentioned in the traditions. While explaining this, the great scholar, Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani has stated that from the different traditions, martyrdom can be divided into two categories. They are :-

  1. Those who are called martyrs of this world and the hereafter. They are those who die while fighting in the way of Allah to protect and defend Allah’s religion, moving ahead and not running away from their opponents.
  2. Those who attain the status of martyrdom and are rewarded as martyrs in the hereafter, but the ruling of martyrdom of this world would not apply to them. Therefore, they would be given a bath and shrouded etc. for the funeral, and will not be treated as those who actually die while fighting in the way of Allah. (Fath Al Baari Vol 6  pg 55 Qadeemi Kutub Karachi).

With respect to the question of Covid-19 being in the same category as a plague, scholars have stated that it will be treated in a similar manner although it is not literally a plague. This is due to the fact that an epidemic affects a large amount of people and causes widespread death just as a plague does. When one looks at a plague, one sees that it affects the entire public and brings about quick death to many people. In the same way, it is seen that the present pandemic known as Covid-19,has caused widespread death and has taken the lives of thousands through the globe.

Therefore, as stated by many scholars, one who dies from the Covid-19 pandemic will be considered as a martyr as understood from the above explanation. But this martyrdom is connected to the person’s rank in the hereafter. As for the rulings of the Shariah in this world, the person will be given a bath, shrouded and buried like a non-martyr.

Some scholars have further stated that Covid-19 causes damage to one’s lungs, which then causes death. On account of this, the person would be deemed  a martyr in the sight of Allah since he will be just as one who dies of tuberculosis which is considered to be a cause of martyrdom. About this, it is narrated from the Prophet (S.A.W) that he said, ‘Tuberculosis is martyrdom’.(Tabarani, Ahmad)

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

08/06/2021