Out of Context (Part 12) – What is Martyrdom in Islam?

In Part 12 of the interview, Shaykh Omar takes questions from the audience. According to Sheikh Omar Suleiman, there are various categories of martyrdom in islam, which isn’t just achieved through fighting. If you die defending your property or a woman dies giving birth, you are considered a martyr in Islam, for example. When it comes to fighting for the sake of God and dying in a just war, this is also considered a praiseworthy station. But never is martyrdom equated to terrorism in Islam. There is no concept of seeking to kill innocent civilians. Prophet Muhammad beseeched Muslims never to wish for war. We are not meant to be a people who crave violence, but once there is a just war then the nobel men and women who partake of it are praised for their sacrifice.