In Islam, a martyr is someone who dies in the path of Allah Almighty, and this is referred to as "Shahadah Haqeeqiyyah" or real martyrdom. However, there are other forms of martyrdom, which are considered "Shahadah Hukmiyyah" or legal martyrdom. These include:

• A person who dies in an epidemic
• A person who dies in a fire
• A person who dies of a stomach disease
• A person who has bedsores, causing fever and cough resulting in his death
• A person who dies under falling debris in a disaster
• A person who is drowned
• A woman who dies during childbirth

According to Islamic teachings, a martyr is granted the status of "Shaheed" or witness, and they will testify in the way in which Allah wishes them to, such as against themselves or their community as revealed in the Qur’an. The purpose of this is justice, so that mankind does not have an argument against Allah on the Day of Judgment. The martyr is judged according to their deeds and the time and place in which they existed. For example, if a Muslim is forced to recant their faith by the enemy and then dies at their hands, they will be a witness as to the spread of Islam at the time and which nations had yet to accept Islam.