Do Women Receive the Reward of Jihad in Islam?

Understanding the Reward of Jihad for Women in Islam

There is no disagreement that Jihad is not obligatory for women because Allah has created them with different physical traits and weaknesses compared to men. Allah has given commands and teachings suited to everyone’s nature and wisdom, and sometimes we cannot grasp the full extent of Allah’s wisdom. However, every decision made by Allah is full of wisdom and insight. In the case of Jihad not being obligatory for women, Allah’s wisdom is vast, and only He knows it fully.

It is a great reality that Jihad in the way of Allah holds a tremendous reward, which at first glance seems to be meant only for men. But this is not the case; Jihad is obligatory for men, but a reward equal to, or even greater than, the reward for Jihad has been designated for women as well. This is confirmed by the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, which is clearly mentioned in books like Abu Dawood:

الشَّهَادَةُ سَبْعٌ سِوَى الْقَتْلِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
Translation: “There are seven forms of martyrdom besides being killed in the way of Allah.”

This was said by the Prophet ﷺ to women who thought that martyrdom only meant dying in Jihad for the sake of Allah. A companion, who had his belongings prepared for Jihad, passed away before going for battle, and these women were weeping for him. This shows that women are included in the reward of martyrdom, except for what is specific to men. If women had been deprived of the reward of martyrdom, no woman would be referred to as a martyr. However, we find countless women in the books of Hadith being referred to as martyrs, which strengthens the belief that women are included in the reward of martyrdom.

In this article, it will be clarified that Allah has been just with women and has allotted them a reward for Jihad through various other actions, which will be discussed in the following sections.

(1) The Prayer for the Status of Martyrdom

Although physical Jihad is not obligatory for women, they can still pray for the status of martyrdom just as men do. The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ سَأَلَ اللهَ الشَّهَادَةَ بِصِدْقٍ، بَلَّغَهُ اللهُ مَنَازِلَ الشُّهَدَاءِ، وَإِنْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ (Sahih Muslim: 1908)
Translation: “Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will elevate him to the ranks of the martyrs, even if he dies in his bed.”

(2) Seven Things Besides Jihad That Lead to Martyrdom

Being killed in Jihad is one form of martyrdom, but there are seven other causes that grant the status of martyrdom. Women are also included in these, especially the seventh cause, which specifically pertains to women:
الشَّهادةُ سبعٌ سوى القتلِ في سبيلِ اللَّهِ المطعونُ شهيدٌ والغرِقُ شهيدٌ وصاحبُ ذاتِ الجنبِ شهيدٌ والمبطونُ شهيدٌ وصاحبُ الحريقِ شهيدٌ والَّذي يموتُ تحتَ الهدمِ شهيدٌ والمرأةُ تموتُ بِجُمعٍ شهيدةٌ (Sahih Abu Dawood: 3111)
Translation: “There are seven martyrs other than those killed in the path of Allah: (1) The one who dies from plague is a martyr, (2) The one who drowns is a martyr, (3) The one who dies from a disease in the side (pleurisy) is a martyr, (4) The one who dies from stomach illness is a martyr, (5) The one who dies from burning is a martyr, (6) The one who dies under rubble is a martyr, and (7) The woman who dies in childbirth is a martyr.”

Additionally, the following words are specifically mentioned for women in relation to this matter:
والنُّفساءُ شهيدةٌ (Sahih al-Jami: 4441)
Translation: “A woman who dies during postpartum (Nifas) is a martyr.”

Further narrations in Musnad Ahmad, Majma’ al-Zawa’id, Mu’jam al-Tabarani, and others also mention that a woman who dies in postpartum will have her child pull her into Jannah:
والنُّفساءُ يجرُّها ولدُها بسُرُرِها إلى الجنةِ (Sahih al-Jami: 4439)
Translation: “The woman who dies in the postpartum period is pulled into Jannah by her child, who is the cause of her death.”

(3) Serving Parents

Serving one’s parents is rewarded with the same reward as Jihad. Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates:
أن رجلاً جاء إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقال: إني أشتهي الجهاد ولا أقدر عليه، قال: هل بقي من والديك أحد؟ قال: أمي، قال: قابل الله في برها، فإن فعلت فأنت حاج ومعتمر ومجاهد.
Translation: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: ‘I desire Jihad, but I am unable to do so.’ The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Do you have any living parents?’ He replied, ‘Yes, my mother.’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Then strive in serving her, for by doing so, you will be a pilgrim, a performer of Umrah, and a warrior in Jihad.'”

This narration has been confirmed by Al-Busayri, Abu Ya’la, and Tabarani with a sound chain of transmission (It-haf al-Khairah: 5/474). The narration has been deemed authentic by Iraqi in Takhreej al-Ahya’ and by Al-Mundhiri in al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib.

Similarly, in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:
جاء رجلٌ إلى النبيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم فاستأذنهُ في الجهاد، فقال : أحَيٌّ والِداكَ قال : نعم، قال : فَفِيهِما فَجاهِدْ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3004, Sahih Muslim: 2549)
Translation: “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked for permission to join Jihad. The Prophet ﷺ asked him, ‘Are your parents alive?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Then strive in serving them, for this is your Jihad.'”

(4) Serving Widows and the Poor

Anyone, whether a man or a woman, who serves a widow or a poor person, will receive a reward equal to that of Jihad. The Prophet ﷺ said:
السَّاعي على الأرملةِ والمسكينِ ، كالمُجاهدِ في سبيلِ اللَّهِ ، أو القائمِ الليلَ والصائمِ النهارِ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5353)
Translation: “The one who serves the widow and the poor is like the one who engages in Jihad in the way of Allah, or the one who stands in prayer at night and fasts during the day.”

(5) Performing Prayer at Its Early Time

Performing prayers at their prescribed time is a greater reward than showing kindness to one’s parents and engaging in Jihad for the sake of Allah. Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) narrated:
أيُّ الأعمالِ أحبُّ إلى اللهِ ؟ قالَ الصَّلاةُ على وقتِها قلتُ : ثمَّ أيٌّ ؟ قالَ ثمَّ برُّ الوالدينِ قلتُ : ثمَّ أيٌّ ؟ قالَ ثمَّ الجهادُ في سبيلِ اللهِ (Sahih Muslim: 85)
Translation: “O Messenger of Allah! Which deeds are most beloved to Allah? He replied: ‘Performing prayers on time.’ I asked: ‘Then what?’ He said: ‘Being kind to one’s parents.’ I asked: ‘Then what?’ He said: ‘Jihad for the sake of Allah.'”

(6) Acts During the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Performing righteous deeds during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah brings a reward greater than participating in Jihad. The Prophet ﷺ said:
ما العملُ في أيامِ العشْرِ أفضلَ من العملِ في هذه . قالوا : ولا الجهادُ ؟ قال : ولا الجهادُ، إلا رجلٌ خرجَ يخاطِرُ بنفسِه ومالِه، فلم يرجِعْ بشيءٍ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 969)
Translation: “There are no deeds more beloved to Allah during these ten days than righteous deeds. When asked, ‘Not even Jihad?’ He replied, ‘Not even Jihad, except for the man who goes out risking his life and wealth and returns with nothing.'”

(7) The Jihad for Women is Hajj, and it is the Best

Here are a few hadiths related to this topic:
First Hadith: Ummul Mu’mineen Aisha (RA) narrated that she asked the Prophet ﷺ for permission to participate in Jihad, and he replied:
جِهادُكُنَّ الحجُّ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2875)
Translation: “Your Jihad is Hajj.”

Second Hadith: The wives of the Prophet ﷺ asked him about Jihad, and he said:
سأله نساؤه عن الجهادِ، فقال : نعم الجهادُ الحجُّ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2876)
Translation: “The wives of the Prophet ﷺ asked about Jihad, and he said: ‘The best Jihad is Hajj.'”

Third Hadith: Aisha (RA) narrated: “O Messenger of Allah! We perceive Jihad as the best deed. Should we not participate in it?” The Prophet ﷺ replied:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَرَى الْجِهَادَ أَفْضَلَ الْعَمَلِ أَفَلَا نُجَاهِدُ قَالَ لَا لَكِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الْجِهَادِ حَجٌّ مَبْرُورٌ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1536)
Translation: “Ummul Mu’mineen Aisha (RA) said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, we believe Jihad is the best of deeds, should we not engage in it?’ He replied: ‘No, but the best Jihad for you is a well-accepted Hajj.'”

Fourth Hadith: Performing Umrah is also considered as being in the way of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إنَّ الحجَّ والعمرةَ في سبيلِ اللهِ (Sahih al-Targhib: 1119)
Translation: “Indeed, Hajj and Umrah are in the way of Allah.”

(8) The Best Jihad is the Jihad Against One’s Own Self

Whether a man or woman, the best Jihad is against one’s own desires. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أفضلُ الجهادِ أن يُجاهدَ الرَّجلُ نَفسَه وهواهُ (Sahih al-Jami: 1099)
Translation: “The best Jihad is for a person to struggle against his own soul and desires.”

(9) Waiting for the Next Prayer After One Prayer

The Prophet ﷺ said:
ألا أدلُكم على ما يمحو اللهُ بهِ الخطايا ويرفعُ بهِ الدرجاتِ ؟ قالوا : بلى . يا رسولَ اللهِ ! قال إسباغُ الوضوءِ على المكارهِ . وكثرةُ الخطا إلى المساجِدِ . وانتظارُ الصلاةِ بعدَ الصلاةِ . فذلكمْ الرباطُ (Sahih Muslim: 251)
Translation: “Shall I not inform you of actions by which Allah erases sins and elevates ranks? The people asked: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah!’ He replied: ‘Performing Wudu thoroughly in difficult circumstances, walking to the mosques frequently, and waiting for the next prayer after one prayer. This is the real defense (Ribat).'”

(10) Whoever Dies Defending His Wealth, Life, or Family is a Martyr

The Prophet ﷺ said:
من قاتل دون مالِه، فقُتل فهو شهيدٌ، ومن قاتل دونَ دمِه، فهو شهيدٌ، ومن قاتل دونَ أهلِه، فهو شهيدٌ (Sahih al-Nasa’i: 4105)
Translation: “Whoever fights to protect his wealth and is killed, he is a martyr; whoever fights to protect his life and is killed, he is a martyr; and whoever fights to protect his family and is killed, he is a martyr.”

The first woman who sacrificed her life for the cause of Islam and became a martyr was Sumayyah bint Khayyat (RA).

(11) Reward of Fifty Martyrs for Staying Firm in the Times of Fitnah: The Prophet ﷺ said

إِنَّ مِنْ ورائِكُم زمانُ صبرٍ ، لِلْمُتَمَسِّكِ فيه أجرُ خمسينَ شهيدًا منكم (صحيح الجامع:2234)

Translation: The time after you will be a time of patience and trial, during which the one who holds onto the truth will be rewarded with the reward of fifty martyrs from you.

(12) Reciting the Tasbih of Fatimah After Salah: Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) who said

جاء الفقراء إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالوا: ذهب أهل الدثور بالدرجات العُلى والنعيم المقيم، يصلون كما نصلي ويصومون كما نصوم، ولهم فَضْلٌ من أموال يحجون بها ويعتمرون ويجاهدون ويتصدقون، قال: ألا أحدثكم بأمر إن أخذتم به أدركتم من سبقكم ولم يدرككم أحد بعدكم، وكنتم خير من أنتم بين ظهرانيه إلا من عمل مثله: تسبحون وتحمدون وتكبرون خلف كل صلاة ثلاثاً وثلاثين. (صحیح البخاری: 843)

Translation: Some poor people came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “The rich have attained high ranks and lasting bliss. They pray like us, fast like us, but they have the advantage of wealth; with it, they perform Hajj, Umrah, engage in jihad, and give charity.” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Shall I not inform you of something that, if you do it, you will surpass those who came before you, and no one will surpass you after you? You will be the best among all, except for those who do the same. After each prayer, say thirty-three times ‘SubhanAllah,’ thirty-three times ‘Alhamdulillah,’ and thirty-three times ‘Allahu Akbar.’”

(13) The Reward of Remembrance of Allah

In addition to reciting the Tasbih after prayer, there is a hadith stating that general remembrance of Allah is better than jihad. The Prophet ﷺ said:

ألا أنبئكم بخير أعمالكم وأزكاها عند مليككم وأرفعها في درجاتكم وخير لكم من إنفاق الذهب والورق وخير لكم من أن تلقوا عدوكم فتضربوا أعناقهم ويضربوا أعناقكم قالوا بلى قال ذكر الله تعالى (صحيح الترمذي:337)

Translation: Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the most purified in the sight of your King, the highest in rank, and better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than confronting your enemies, striking their necks and having them strike yours? The people said, “Yes, please inform us.” He ﷺ said: “It is the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.”

This is also reflected in the Qur’an, where Allah commands:

وَاذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا (الاحزاب:34)

Translation: And remember what is recited in your homes of the verses of Allah and wisdom. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Aware.

(14) Saying “Allahu Akbar” 100 Times, “Alhamdulillah” 100 Times, and “SubhanAllah” 100 Times

Umm Hani bint Abi Talib (RA) reports that she asked the Prophet ﷺ:

كبِّري اللَّهَ مائةَ مرَّةٍ ، واحمَدي اللَّهَ مائةَ مرَّةٍ ، وسبِّحي اللَّهَ مائةَ مرَّةٍ خيرٌ من مائةِ فرَسٍ مُلجَمٍ مُسرَجٍ في سبيلِ اللَّهِ ، وخيرٌ من مائةِ بدَنةٍ ، وخيرٌ من مائةِ رقبةٍ (صحيح ابن ماجه:3810)

Translation: Say “Allahu Akbar” one hundred times, “Alhamdulillah” one hundred times, and “SubhanAllah” one hundred times. This is better than one hundred horses with saddles and bridles in the way of Allah, better than one hundred camels, and better than freeing one hundred slaves.

(15) Obeying Allah and His Messenger

Those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be with the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous. Allah’s command is:

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا (النساء:69)

Translation: And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, they will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And excellent are those as companions.

In light of this verse, those who abandon the obedience of Allah and His Messenger in favor of following others should be cautious of their outcome.

In the above lines, aside from natural martyrdom, many acts have been mentioned that earn the reward of martyrdom, some of which have been listed here. We also learn that physical jihad is not obligatory for women. However, looking at the Islamic battles, it is evident that elderly women could participate in the wars by assisting with providing water, preparing food, dressing wounds, and other essential tasks. As narrated in Sahih Muslim:

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَغْزُو بِأُمِّ سُلَيْمٍ وَنِسْوَةٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مَعَهُ إِذَا غَزَا، فَيَسْقِينَ الْمَاءَ، وَيُدَاوِينَ الْجَرْحَى (صحيح مسلم:4787)

Translation: Anas ibn Malik (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ would take Umm Sulaim and some other women from the Ansar along when going to battle. They would provide water and treat the wounded.

Additionally, if a non-Muslim attacks a Muslim woman without war or in an assault situation, she can defend herself. If she dies in the course of defending herself, she will be considered a martyr.

An important point for women to understand is that while physical jihad is not obligatory upon them, they should not remain complacent. In today’s fitnah-filled times, they must engage in jihad at every step. Women will fight against desires, through speech and writing, and for calling to the faith. They will struggle against all things that endanger their honor and dignity, such as fornication, mixing of the sexes, dancing and singing, permissiveness and anarchy, and nudity and obscenity. Today, women face a more challenging trial than men, so they must hold onto self-jihad in obedience to Allah, which can protect them from every trial and harm.