"There is no soul on Earth that dies, and is in a good position before Allah, that would like to come back to you, even if it had all this world, except the one who is killed (in the cause of Allah); he wishes that he could come back and be killed again."
The Book of Jihad - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3159
"There is no soul on Earth that dies, and is in a good position before Allah, that would like to come back to you, even if it had all this world, except the one who is killed (in the cause of Allah); he wishes that he could come back and be killed again."
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i illuminates the supreme status of martyrdom in Islam. The scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that the martyr's unique desire to return to worldly life stems not from attachment to this temporal existence, but from yearning to repeatedly attain the ultimate reward of martyrdom.
Al-Qurtubi elaborates that this exceptional privilege is granted because the martyr witnesses the immediate fruits of their sacrifice - they behold their place in Paradise and the divine pleasure awaiting them. This vision creates an intense longing to multiply such noble deeds.
Imam Nawawi clarifies that this refers specifically to those martyred while fighting in the path of Allah with sincere intention, not those killed for worldly motives. Their souls experience such profound spiritual delight that they wish to relive the moment of sacrifice repeatedly.
Spiritual Implications
This teaching emphasizes that true believers should value spiritual rewards over worldly possessions. Even if one possessed the entire world's wealth, it cannot compare to the pleasure of divine acceptance.
The hadith inspires Muslims to cultivate such love for Allah that they become willing to sacrifice everything repeatedly for His cause. It reminds us that the highest form of life is not measured by longevity but by the quality of one's death in Allah's path.