Shaheed facts for kids
Shaheed denotes a martyr in Islam and Sikhism. The word is commonly used as a title for those who have died for their beliefs. Like the English-language word martyr, in the 20th century, the word shahid also came to describe those who died for non-religious ideological causes.
Etymology
In Arabic, the word shahid means "witness".
Hadiths
There are at least five different kinds of martyrs according to hadith.
Allah's Apostle said, "Five are regarded as martyrs: They are those who die because of plague, abdominal disease, drowning or a falling building etc., and the martyrs in Allah's cause.
One who dies protecting his property is also considered a martyr according to Hadith.
Sikhism
The word shahid (Punjabi: ਸ਼ਹੀਦ) is also found in Sikhism, a religion founded by Guru Nanak in the northwest part of the Indian subcontinent (now Pakistan and India). It means a martyr.
The term was borrowed from the Islamic culture in Punjab when Sikhism was founded.
Modern usage
In the course of the eighteenth century, there were several wars of independence within the colonial territories of the Muslim World. Many of the soldiers who died during these conflicts were given the title shahid upon their burial.
A Muslim who is killed defending his or her property is considered a martyr.
In Palestine
In modern usage, various Palestinian groups consider all Palestinians killed in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict to be martyrs for the cause, whether they be civilians or fighters. Militant groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad consider martyrdom as the highest form of sacrifice for the Palestinian cause.
Women
A woman is considered "shahida" (شَهِيدَة šahīdah) if she dies during the fulfillment of a religious commandment. A woman can also be considered a martyr if she dies during childbirth. There are examples of women fighting in war such as Nusaybah bint Ka'ab. The first martyr (male or female) in Islam was Sumayyah bint Khayyat, who was executed for her conversion to Islam. Though her name is not common in the modern Muslim dialogue, ancient Islamic literature makes note of the events at the end of her life.
Other religions
Over a period of time, the word "shahid" began to be used by non-Muslims such as Arab Christians to denote their own martyrs. So the word is still used by Christians in Arab-speaking countries, including the names of churches.
See also
In Spanish: Shahid para niños
