Verses That Grant Martyrdom Status Upon Recitation and Death on the Same Day

Summary: This article examines the verses of the Holy Quran which, according to Islamic belief, are believed to grant the status of martyrdom (shahid) by Allah’s permission to a person who recites them and passes away on the same day. It particularly focuses on the last verses of Surah Al-Hashr and related hadiths.

The Rank and Virtue of Martyrdom

In Islam, martyrdom (shahada) is a lofty rank bestowed upon those who sacrifice their lives in the way of Allah. Our Lord gives glad tidings in the Holy Quran that martyrs are not dead, but rather alive with their Lord, receiving provision (Al-Imran, 3/169). Martyrs are mentioned alongside prophets and the truthful (siddiqin) and attain high ranks in Paradise.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also highlighted the virtue of martyrdom in many hadiths (sayings and actions). The glad tidings that all sins of martyrs, except for debts owed to others, will be forgiven (Muslim, Imarah, 117), and that after seeing their status in Paradise, they would wish to return to the world and die in Allah’s cause repeatedly (Bukhari, Jihad, 21; Muslim, Imarah, 109), demonstrate how precious this rank is.

While martyrdom primarily brings to mind being killed while fighting in the way of Allah, hadiths indicate that other circumstances can also earn a person the reward of martyrdom. For example, those who die from plagues or similar epidemics, those who drown, those who die in a fire, women who die during childbirth, and those killed while defending their property or life are also considered martyrs in ruling (hukmi shahid) (Bukhari, Jihad, 30; Muslim, Imarah, 164-166).

Verses That Promise Martyrdom to the Reciter: The Last Three Verses of Surah Al-Hashr

In light of Islamic scholarship and narrations, reciting certain Quranic verses is mentioned to earn spiritual degrees for a person, and under specific conditions, may even lead to the reward of martyrdom. The most well-known verses discussed in this regard are the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr.

In a hadith narrated by Ma’qil ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever says three times in the morning, ‘A’udhu billahi’s-sami’il-‘alimi minash-shaytanir-rajim’ (I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed Satan), and then recites the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr, Allah will appoint seventy thousand angels to pray for him until the evening. If he dies on that day, he dies as a martyr. Whoever recites them in the evening, will have the same status until the morning; seventy thousand angels will pray for him, and if he dies that night, he dies as a martyr.” (Tirmidhi, Fada’il al-Qur’an, 22; Darimi, Fada’il al-Qur’an, 22; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, V, 26)

This hadith points to the immense virtue of reciting the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr in the morning and evening. The promise of receiving the prayers of seventy thousand angels and attaining the rank of martyrdom if one dies on that day or night is a great encouragement for believers.

The Last Three Verses of Surah Al-Hashr (Verses 22-24)

These blessed verses are:

Verse 22:

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الَّذ۪ي لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۚ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِۚ هُوَ الرَّحْمٰنُ الرَّح۪يمُ

Transliteration: Huwallahul-ladhi la ilaha illa Hu(wa), ‘alimul-ghaybi wash-shahadah, Huwar-Rahmanur-Rahim.

Meaning: He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Verse 23:

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الَّذ۪ي لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۚ اَلْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَز۪يزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُۜ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

Transliteration: Huwallahul-ladhi la ilaha illa Hu(wa), al-Malikul-Quddusus-Salamul-Mu’minul-Muhayminul-‘Azizul-Jabbarul-Mutakabbir. Subhanallahi ‘amma yushrikun.

Meaning: He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

Verse 24:

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْاَسْمَٓاءُ الْحُسْنٰىۜ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِۚ وَهُوَ الْعَز۪يزُ الْحَك۪يمُ

Transliteration: Huwallahul-Khaliqul-Bari’ul-Musawwiru lahul-asma’ul-husna. Yusabbihu lahu ma fis-samawati wal-ard, wa Huwal-‘Azizul-Hakim.

Meaning: He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

These verses beautifully express the unique attributes, power, might, and oneness of Allah Almighty. They declare that His knowledge encompasses everything, His mercy is infinite, His creation is perfect, and all beings glorify Him. Reciting these verses means recognizing Allah, increasing one’s faith and submission to Him.

The Importance of Intention and Deeds

Of course, the fulfillment of such glad tidings is possible not merely by repeating the words, but through sincere intention (niyyah), purity of heart (ikhlas), and reciting while contemplating the meaning of the verses. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the importance of intention in the acceptance of deeds by saying, “Actions are judged by intentions” (Bukhari, Bad’ al-Wahy, 1; Muslim, Imarah, 155).

When reciting these verses, it is essential to act with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure, remembering His greatness, and seeking refuge in Him. Simultaneously, contemplating the deep meanings contained in these verses and reflecting on the names and attributes of Allah will enhance the spiritual impact of the recitation.

While it is permissible to recite these verses hoping to attain a high rank like martyrdom, we must not forget that the primary goal should be servitude to Allah and seeking His pleasure. Our Lord will reward every act of worship and deed performed with sincerity in the best way.

General Virtues of Reciting the Quran

In addition to the specific virtues mentioned regarding the last verses of Surah Al-Hashr, reciting the Holy Quran in general has countless benefits and rewards. The Quran is a healing for the hearts and nourishment for the souls. Reading, understanding, and living by it is the key to happiness in this world and the hereafter.

• Reward for Every Letter: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one Hasanah (reward) for it. And a Hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” (Tirmidhi, Fada’il al-Qur’an, 16).
• Intercession on the Day of Judgment: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Recite the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions.” (Muslim, Musafirin, 252).
• Spiritual Elevation: The spiritual rank of the one who recites the Quran is elevated. A hadith states, “The one who is proficient in the Quran will be with the noble and obedient scribes (angels), and the one who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.” (Bukhari, Tawhid, 52; Muslim, Musafirin, 244).
• Tranquility of Hearts: The verse “Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured” (Ar-Ra’d, 13/28) points to the peace and tranquility that Quran recitation and the remembrance of Allah bring to the hearts.

Therefore, we should strive not only to recite the last verses of Surah Al-Hashr but, as much as possible, to read, understand, and apply the entire Holy Quran in our lives.

Final Word

The Holy Quran, the word of our Lord, is a guide, a mercy, and a source of healing for us. The virtues narrated concerning the recitation of specific verses and surahs, like the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr, are divine blessings that encourage us to turn more towards the Quran.

As stated in the hadith narrated by Ma’qil ibn Yasar (r.a.), the promise that seventy thousand angels pray for the one who recites the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr in the morning and evening, and the glad tidings of attaining the rank of martyrdom if one dies on that day or night, show how valuable these verses are.

However, we must remember that the fundamental condition for attaining such rewards is sincerity and purity of intention. The value of deeds in the sight of Allah depends on the sincerity of the intention. When reciting these verses, our aim should be to earn the pleasure of our Lord and to contemplate His infinite power and mercy. Lofty ranks like martyrdom are granted only through His grace and generosity.

May my Lord make us among those who read, understand, live by, and act upon the Quran. May He allow us to benefit maximally from the grace and blessings of the verses we recite, to attain His pleasure through our sincere deeds, and grant us all the ability to meet Him with faith in our final breath. By Allah’s permission, every sincere effort made in His way will be rewarded in the best manner.

Bibliography / Sources

• Ahmad b. Hanbal. al-Musnad. Istanbul: Çağrı Yayınları, 1992.
• Bukhari, Muhammad b. Ismail. al-Jami’ al-Sahih. Istanbul: Çağrı Yayınları, 1992.
• Darimi, Abdullah b. Abdurrahman. Sunan al-Darimi. Istanbul: Çağrı Yayınları, 1992.
• Muslim, Abu al-Husayn Muslim b. Hajjaj. al-Jami’ al-Sahih. Istanbul: Çağrı Yayınları, 1992.
• Tirmidhi, Abu ‘Isa Muhammad b. ‘Isa. al-Jami’ al-Sahih (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). Istanbul: Çağrı Yayınları, 1992.
• Translation of the Meanings of the Quran. Presidency of Religious Affairs Publications (or specify another known English translation source if preferred).

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