That he heard is father, narating a Hadith, which he heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in which he stood among them, mentioning to them that Jihad in the cause of Allah and faith in Allah were the most virtuous of deeds. Then a man stood and said: "O Messenger of Allah! If I were killed in the cause of Allah, would my sins forgiven ?" So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Yes, If you are killed in Allah's cause, and you are patient, seeking the reward, advancing, not fleeing." Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "What was it that you said?" So he replied: "If I were killed in the cause of Allah, would my sins be removed (forgiven)?" So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Yes, If you are patient, seeking the reward, advancing, not fleeing - except debt. For Jibril said that to me."
[Abu 'Eisa said:] There are narrations on this topic from Anas, Muhammad bin Jahsh, And Abu Hurairah. This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.
Some of them reported this Hadith from Sa'eed Al-Maqburi, from Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet (ﷺ) similar to this. Yahya bin Sa'eed Al-Ansari and more than one narrator reported this from Sa'eed Al-Maqburi from 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah, from his fahter, from the Prophet (ﷺ). This is more correct than the narration of Sa'eed Al-Maqburi from Abu Hurairah.
Hadith Text Analysis
The Prophet (ﷺ) declared jihad and faith as the most virtuous deeds, emphasizing that martyrdom expiates all sins except debt when performed with patience, sincere intention, and steadfastness in battle.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Tirmidhi classifies this hadith as Hasan Sahih (sound and authentic), noting multiple chains of transmission through Companions including Anas, Abu Hurairah, and Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah.
The condition "patient, seeking reward, advancing, not fleeing" establishes that mere physical presence in battle is insufficient - spiritual intention and steadfastness are essential for attaining martyrdom's spiritual rewards.
The exception of debt underscores Islam's emphasis on financial responsibility, where even martyrdom doesn't absolve one from worldly obligations to others.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
Martyrdom (shahadah) serves as complete expiation for sins through Allah's mercy, reflecting the hadith's teaching that the martyr's blood washes away all transgressions.
The reference to Jibril (Gabriel) confirms the divine origin of this ruling, elevating its authority beyond ordinary prophetic statements to revelation-based legislation.