One killed in an unjust attack by disbelievers is a martyr (shahid)

Question

(1) If disbelievers attack a settlement, does fighting them become fard or not? And will [the one killed] be a martyr, falling under the words: [ar]مَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ عِرْضِهِ وَمَالِهِ[/ar] “Whoever is killed defending his honour and his property” — or not? (2) If they come [in numbers] more than double, and someone is killed while hiding or fleeing, will he be a martyr or not?

Answer

(1) If there is strength to resist, then it is necessary to fight them and to protect life, property and honour; and the Muslim who is killed in the course of this will be a martyr (shahid). (2) He too is a martyr.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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