Question:
If someone died in Medina, is he considered as a syahid (martyr)?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Answering the above question, there is an evidence stating the benefits for anyone who passed away in Medina. From Ibn Umar RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَفْعَلْ فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ لِمَنْ مَاتَ بِهَا
“Whoever among you can die in Al-Madinah, let him do so, for I will bear witness in favor of those who die there.”
Sunan Ibnu Majah (3112)
There is another narration from Ibn Umar R.Anhuma, where the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَمُتْ بِهَا ؛ فَإِنِّي أَشْفَعُ لِمَنْ يَمُوتُ بِهَا
“Whoever is able to die in Al-Madinah, then let him die there, for I will intercede for those who die there.”
Musnad Ahmad (5952), Sunan al-Tirmizi (3917) and al-Baihaqi in Syu’ab al-Iman (4185)
The meaning of “whoever among you can die in Medina” (أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ), means live there until one die in Medina. While the phrase “let him die” (فَلْيَمُتْ بِهَا), means stay and settled there until he passes away and it is an encouragement to live there. (See Tuhfah al-Ahwazi, 10/286)
Imam al-Tibi said: “The commandment to die in Medina is not within the realms of human capability, but it falls under the will of Allah SWT. However, the hadith is meant as an encouragement to stay and live in the city and not to move out so that it may be a reason that he will die there.” (See Tuhfah al-Ahwadzi, 10/286)
Saidina Umar RA used to recite the following supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي شَهَادَةً فِي سَبِيلِكَ وَاجْعَلْ مَوْتِي فِي بَلَدِ رَسُولِكَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in the city of Your Apostle.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (1890)
According to the above supplication of Saidina Umar, Imam al-Nawawi state that to supplicate to die in an honoured place is permissible. (See al-Majmu’, 5/118)
According to the above evidences, it is not stated that for someone who dies in Medina is considered as a martyr, but he will receive special benefit where the Prophet PBUH himself will speak on his behalf. Hence, Saidina Umar RA will receive two benefits for his death:
First, he is considered as a martyr and he receive a husnul khatimah death for he was murdered by the enemy of Allah and is preparing to meet Him.
Second, Saidina Umar died in the city of Medina, the place where the Prophet PBUH said that the Prophet PBUH will intercede on his behalf. Hence, we will emphasize that dying in Medina will not make someone a martyr, but he will receive the help of the Prophet PBUH in the hereafter.
May Allah give bless us with husnul khatimah death. Amin.