JIHAD SECTION · 27 – THE EXCELLENCE OF MARTYRDOM
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When my brethren were martyred at Uhud, Allah placed their souls into the belly of a green bird. (These souls, riding on this carrier in the form of a green bird,) visit the rivers of Paradise. They eat from the fruits of Paradise, hang in the shade of the Throne, and turn like golden lamps. When they find the beauty of the place where they eat, drink, and sleep, they say: ‘Who will give news to our brothers [still living] that we are alive, provisioned, and so that they do not cease from striving (jihad) or turning back from war?’ The Exalted, Glorified Allah said, ‘I will inform them of your state.’” He then recited the verse: “[Do not think those who were killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Nay, they are living with Allah and receive sustenance from Him]’.[371]
From Hasna binti Mu'awiya al-Suraymiya, her uncle (al-Sam bin Suleym) reported. Al-Sam said:
I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, "Who are those destined for Paradise?" The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The Prophet is in Paradise, the Martyr is in Paradise, [those] children who die before reaching maturity are in Paradise, and those buried alive are in Paradise.”
Note:
Mawlud: Meaning born. Here, it refers to children born alive who die before reaching puberty, and miscarriages.
Wa’id: These are female children buried alive. This was one of the most abhorrent customs of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyya).