Martyrdom In Palestine and Islam
Written by Stephanie B., Diala B., and Sarah T.
What does martyrdom mean in Islam? In this post, we explore the true meaning of "shaheed"—a witness to faith and justice, and one who sacrifices selflessly for what they love. Too often, Western media and liberal narratives distort this sacred concept, equating it with violence or terror. But for Muslims and Palestinians alike, martyrdom is a beautiful, selfless act—one of the highest honors and a light that transcends from earth to the heavens.
From doctors refusing to abandon their patients in bombed hospitals to rescue workers searching tirelessly beneath the rubble, the martyrs of Gaza illuminate the depth of human courage and steadfastness. These are their stories. These are their sacrifices. Their light reaches from Gaza to the heavens, and through their memory, we strive for justice, liberation, and the fulfillment of Allah’s divine promise.
In Arabic, a martyr is referred to as a "shaheed," a term derived from the root word "shahada," meaning "to witness" or "to testify." This linguistic root conveys the idea of bearing witness to one’s faith and conviction in God, even at the cost of one's life. Martyrdom in Islam is not confined solely to the battlefield; it encompasses a broader spectrum of sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice and righteousness.
Individuals who die defending their faith, their family, or their community are martyrs. This includes those who lose their lives while protecting their properties or others from oppression and injustice. According to a traditional understanding of Islam, the term shaheed extends to those who die from fire, drowning, stomach disease, plague, giving birth, and being crushed by a collapsing building. For the family, the death of a martyr is both a moment of profound sorrow and significant honor. The martyr is forgiven, granted a place in paradise, and spared the trials of the grave that others must face. Additionally, martyrs are promised intercession on behalf of their family members on the Day of Judgment.
Zionist language is deeply embedded in systems of oppression and dehumanization. It is strategically used to deflect accountability, distort the truth, and reinforce harmful stereotypes about Palestinians and their struggle for freedom. Shaheed, or “witness,” refers to someone who has experienced an injustice. Zionists deliberately try to manipulate its meaning by equating it with someone seeking death through an act of terrorism. By removing the context of their illegal land theft and occupation, the occupier deflects from the actual issue of Palestinians fighting for their inherent right to live with dignity and self-determination. In the context of the Palestinian struggle, martyrdom is not a glorification of violence but rather an expression of resistance against the violence of an occupier. Zionist lies have co-opted the meaning of the chant “Glory to the Martyrs” as a chant praising acts of terror. Instead, it is a declaration to honor the lives on the front lines who have borne witness to the oppressor’s nonstop violence through journalism, freedom fighting, medical care, acts of service to the community, and so much more.
Sumud, or steadfast perseverance, is intertwined with an unwavering faith in Allah SWT that emboldens Palestinians to confront their challenges without fear. This steadfastness is not about seeking death but about confronting an oppressive reality with the dignity and courage born of a righteous cause. The concept of martyrdom in this context is viewed as a noble death, a profound sacrifice that highlights the moral and religious perspective of the Palestinian fight for freedom.
Familial pride in the face of martyrdom is palpable in the actions of mothers and grandmothers who perform the zaghrouta in the streets, their voices piercing through the air with both pain and pride. These sounds echo, affirming a collective conviction: despite the immense sacrifices, the spirit of the Palestinian people remains unbroken, and the memories of martyrs continue to nourish the hope that Palestine will be liberated. Although there are countless martyrs to be honored, PDM felt incredibly moved by the stories of the following three martyrs. They exemplify sumud through their unwavering resilience, extraordinary contributions, and enduring legacies.
Heba Abu Nada
“Gaza’s night is dark apart from the glow of rockets, quite apart from the sound of bombs, terrifying apart from the comfort of prayer, black apart from the light of martyrs. Good night, Gaza.” – Heba Abu Nada’s final tweet, written on October 8th. Heba Abu Nada was born on June 24, 1991, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, into a family of Palestinian refugees displaced during the Nakba. After completing her Master's in clinical nutrition from Al-Azhar University, Abu Nada worked at the Rusul Center for Creativity, affiliated with the al-Amal Institute for Orphans. Family and friends described her as deeply engaged with issues of justice and the struggles of Palestinian life under occupation. Her love of writing and literature led her to publish several collections of poems and a novel, Oxygen is Not for the Dead, which was awarded second place in the 20th annual Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity in 2017. A beloved figure in the Palestinian literary community, she used creative writing as a medium to amplify the voices of the oppressed, explore the emotional and physical toll of genocide, and celebrate the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
Dalia and Sally Ghazi Ibaid’
On October 20th, 2023, Heba Abu Nada was killed by an “Israeli” airstrike in her home in Khan Younis. Shortly after, her poem “I Grant You Refuge” was shared with millions. The poem reflects the struggles of displacement and the yearning for justice and liberation. In the last stanza, she writes to her people: “I grant you refuge in knowing / that the dust will clear, / and they who fell in love and died together / will one day laugh.”
Somaia Abu Nada wrote a moving tribute to the life and work of her beloved sister one year after her martyrdom. Outstanding academic achievements and demonstrated research potential are the reasons for twin sisters Dalia and Sally Ghazi Ibaid’s acceptance to a PhD program at one of the top 1% universities in the world. Both sisters received fellowships to study System Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and their family tells us: “Unlike the last year, in the last few days, the twins were vibrant, bubbly, excited, and full of dreams and ambitions. They constantly talked about their PhD study, jokingly calling each other Dr. Sally and Dr. Dalia and talking about what they want to do in Canada.” Dalia and Sally, both 26, were martyred by an “Israeli” air strike on Dec 5, 2024, while preparing to cross the Rafah border.
Education can be an escape, an end to suffering, a new beginning for dreams and opportunities. To be accepted into a PhD program is a privilege and a dream that very few get to realize. Gaza’s last remaining university was destroyed in January 2024, and scholasticide by “Israel” is documented and proven. As we continue to learn and teach in the diaspora, let’s do so while honoring these beautiful sisters who were so hopeful about their education and their futures. These stories remind us that martyrdom is not just an end but a continuation of the struggle for justice, freedom, and dignity. They reflect the profound resilience, unyielding hope, and enduring contributions of Palestinians who, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, inspire future generations to carry the torch of liberation.
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