Talk:Shahid

Comment

1- Misinterpretation of "Shaheed": The term "shaheed" is never correctly translated as "suicide bomber." In an Islamic context, the Prophet Muhammad said, "He who is killed in defense of his religion is a martyr (shaheed), he who is killed in self-defense is a martyr (shaheed), he who is killed in defense of his property is a martyr (shaheed), and he who is killed in defense of his family is a martyr (shaheed)" [Sunan Ibn Majah 2795]. While terrorists and their supporters may label suicide bombers as "shaheed," this misapplication does not redefine the term itself. Equating "shaheed" with "suicide bomber" is akin to saying "car" is synonymous with "Toyota Camry."

It's also noteworthy that during the 2014-2017 Iraqi war against ISIS, both sides considered their dead as martyrs (shaheed).

2- Etymological Clarification: The words "shaheed" and "Shi'a" have entirely different etymologies. "Shaheed" is derived from the Arabic root (ش-ه-د) sh-h-d, whereas "Shi'a" comes from the root (ش-ي-ع) sh-y-‘. They have distinct meanings and origins, with no linguistic connection.

3- Martyrdom in Sunni and Shia Islam: While martyrdom holds significant importance in Shia Islam, it is also a revered concept in Sunni Islam. Both sects believe in the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad, which support martyrdom. The provided hadith is from a Sunni source, underscoring the shared belief in martyrdom across both sects.

4- Misconceptions about Messianic Orientation: The article’s comparison to Christianity is misplaced. Shia Islam has not adopted a messianic orientation akin to Christianity. Instead, Shia Muslims, like Sunnis, believe in jihad and martyrdom. For instance, in 2014, the prominent Shia cleric Ayatollah Sistani declared a mandatory jihad against ISIS.

5- Origins of Modern Jihad: The claim that Sunni jihadists were inspired by Shia tactics is incorrect. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims have believed in jihad since the time of Muhammad. The rise of the Wahhabi school a few hundred years ago, which endorsed the killing of perceived infidels—including Shias and certain Sunnis—marked a significant shift. Historically, Islamic empires like the Umayyads, Abbasids, and those in Andalusia did not kill based on religion; non-Muslims paid extra taxes but were not conscripted into the military.

Note: I'm an Arabic speaking Iraqi who grew up in a non-religious family in a Shi'a area. Jweaker (talk) 10:44, 16 June 2024 (UTC)