Is death during Hajj considered martyrdom?

20-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

I would like to know: if somebody dies during Hajj, will he be considered a martyr? Thank you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Death during Hajj is a sign of a good conclusion of one’s deeds, Allaah Willing. Whilst a man was standing at ‘Arafah during the Hajj with the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he fell from his mount and broke his neck. The man was in the state of Ihraam, thereupon the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told his Companions to bury him in his two garments and neither perfume him nor cover his head. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “He will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment proclaiming Talbiyah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Without doubt, that is a great reward and most excellent degree. Hajj and Jihaad are among the best deeds. But, to the best of our knowledge, there is no indication that he will be a martyr.

Allaah Knows best.