Abu Huraira said, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, I would love to fight in Allah's Cause and then get martyred and then resurrected (come to life) and then get martyred and then resurrected (come to life) and then get martyred, and then resurrected (come to life) and then get martyred and then resurrected (come to life)." Abu Huraira used to repeat those words three times and I testify to it with Allah's Oath.
Exposition of the Hadith on the Love for Martyrdom
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (7227) reveals the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) intense longing for martyrdom in the path of Allah. The repetition of martyrdom and resurrection demonstrates the incomparable virtue of shahādah (martyrdom) in Islamic tradition.
Spiritual Significance of Repetition
The Prophet's wish to die as a martyr multiple times indicates that the spiritual reward for martyrdom is so immense that one would desire to attain it repeatedly. This reflects the highest level of love for Allah and willingness to sacrifice everything for His pleasure.
The triple repetition by Abu Huraira emphasizes the authenticity and importance of this teaching, serving as a powerful reminder for Muslims to value jihad and shahādah in their proper Islamic context.
Scholarly Commentary on Martyrdom
Classical scholars explain that this hadith illustrates the ultimate expression of faith - where the believer's love for meeting Allah through martyrdom surpasses all worldly attachments. The cyclical nature of death and resurrection mentioned signifies the perpetual reward awaiting the martyr in the hereafter.
This narration from the chapter "Wishes" in Sahih al-Bukhari teaches that the highest wish of a true believer should be to die in the cause of Allah, demonstrating complete submission and trust in the divine promise.