THE CHAPTER OF CORPSES · 31 – THE WASHING OF THE MARTYR
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
During a battle, a man was struck by an arrow in his chest or breast. He died while still in his garment, and that is how he was buried. We were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered that the iron and leather materials on the backs of the martyrs of Uhud be removed, and that they be buried in their garments and blood.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The martyrs of Uhud were not washed, and they were buried with their blood. No prayer was offered for them.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) related:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) came across Hamza (at Uhud).
He had been mutilated, his nose, ears, and fingers cut off. He said:
“If it were not for Safiya’s grief, I would leave Hamza in this state. Let the birds eat him, let the jackals devour him, and may they be resurrected from their bellies on the Day of Resurrection.”
The shrouds were few, and the slain were many. Several or three bodies were wrapped in a cloth and buried.
Kutaybah ibn Sa’id added: Then they would be buried in one grave. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would ask, “Who among them knows more of the Qur'an?” and he would lead that one towards the qibla. [63]
Anas (RA) narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited Hamza, who had been slain. He did not offer prayer upon any other of the martyrs except for Hamza.
COMMENTARY
Some scholars have interpreted this hadith, which states that prayer was offered for Hamza at Uhud, by saying that the term "salat" here refers more to supplication in his honor. Some others said that the narration of Osman ibn Amr is not authentic. According to Hanafi jurists, martyrs are not washed; only prayers are offered for them. According to the other three madhhabs (schools of law), they are neither washed nor prayer is offered upon them. (Meallimü’s-Sünen Bezlül-Mechud)
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would gather two of the martyrs of Uhud (in one grave), and he would ask, “Who among you knew more verses of the Qur’an?” When a sign was made to one of them, the grave would advance him forward. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, "I am their witness on the Day of Resurrection." He ordered that the martyrs be buried with their blood still upon them. [64]
Layth (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The preceding hadith was related with the same meaning, but he said: Two of the martyrs of Uhud were placed within a single garment.