All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Al-mabṭūn refers to one who dies from a disease of the abdomen. Our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said:

“The martyrs are five: the one who dies from plague, al-mabṭūn, the drowned, the one who dies under a collapse, and the martyr in the way of Allah.” (Transmitted by al-Bukhari & Muslim). Scholars have differed regarding the specific disease of the abdomen that qualifies the deceased as a martyr. The most comprehensive view is that conveyed by the esteemed scholar, Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), who stated: “It is said: He is anyone who dies from a disease of the abdomen in general.” (Sharḥ al-Nawawi ‘alā Muslim, Vol.13/P.63)

According to this view, the meaning of al-mabṭūn includes one who dies from poisoning, and it is hoped that Allah, the Exalted, will record for him the reward of martyrdom.

In this regard, a person who dies from poisoning falls into three categories:

First: One who dies from poisoning unjustly—by having poison administered to their food or drink without their knowledge. Such a person is counted among the martyrs of the Hereafter. Imam Shams al-Dīn al-Ramlī al-Shāfi‘ī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The deceased is either a martyr or otherwise. The martyr is either a martyr of the Hereafter only, which includes anyone killed unjustly or anyone who dies from a condition such as dropsy or the like—contrary to those who restrict it to the first category—or from a stab wound, drowning, or being away from home.” (Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj, Vol.2/P.496)

Second: One who consumes poison unknowingly, or consumes spoiled food or drink without awareness, and dies as a result. This person falls under the view that al-mabṭūn refers to anyone who dies from a disease of the abdomen in general.

Third: One who deliberately consumes poison. This is considered a suicide. Similarly, one who deliberately consumes something prohibited, such as intoxicants or narcotics, does not qualify as a martyr. This is because the condition for these categories is that their death occurs in obedience, not in disobedience. In the ḥadīth narrated by Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron will have that piece of iron in his hand, thrusting it into his belly in the Fire of Hell, where he will abide eternally forever. Whoever drinks poison and kills himself will sip it in the Fire of Hell, where he will abide eternally forever. Whoever throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will throw himself down in the Fire of Hell, where he will abide eternally forever.” (Transmitted by al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Moreover, the reward of martyrdom varies in degrees. Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “Know that the martyr is of three types: The first: One killed in battle under circumstances of combat. This person is accorded the rulings of martyrs both in terms of reward in the Hereafter and worldly rulings—such as not being washed or prayed over.

The second: A martyr in reward but not in worldly rulings. This includes al-mabṭūn, al-maṭ‘ūn (one who dies from plague), the one who dies under a collapse, one killed while defending his property, and others whom authentic narrations designate as martyrs. Such a person is washed, prayed over, and receives the reward of martyrs in the Hereafter—though not necessarily equal to the reward of the first type.

The third: One who embezzles from booty or similar cases, regarding whom Sharia texts indicate that they are not called martyrs if killed in battle against disbelievers. This person is accorded the rulings of martyrs in this world—not being washed or prayed over—but does not receive their complete reward in the Hereafter.” (Sharḥ Muslim, Vol.2/P.164)

In conclusion, al-mabṭūn refers to anyone who dies from a disease of the abdomen in general. This includes one who dies from poisoning unjustly or consumes poison unintentionally and without knowledge. It is hoped that Allah, the Exalted, will record for such a person the reward of the martyrs—unlike one who deliberately drinks poison or consumes a prohibited substance and dies as a result. And Allah the Almighty knows best.