Q: Is it true that the woman who dies while delivering is considered a martyr?

A: Any woman who dies during her postpartum period or during pregnancy is a martyr, In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). In the Hadith narrated by `Ubadah ibn Al-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Who is counted as a martyr among you?' They said, 'The one who fights and is killed in the cause of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).' The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: 'Then the martyrs among my Ummah (nation based on one creed) would be few. The one who is killed in the cause of Allah is a martyr; the one who dies of plague is a martyr; the one who dies of an intestinal ailment is a martyr; and a woman who dies during her pregnancy is a martyr.' (Related by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad [Hadith compilation]), Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih [Authentic Hadith Book] as well as others) Therefore, a woman who dies during her pregnancy is a martyr. It was also narrated by Rashid ibn Hubaysh (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) entered upon `Ubadah ibn Al-Samit during his sickness and said, 'Do you know who is a martyr in my Ummah?' The people remained silent. `Ubadah said: 'Help me to sit up.' They helped him to sit up, then he said, 'O Messenger of Allah, (is it) the patient person who seeks reward from Allah for their patience?' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Then the martyrs among my Ummah would be very few. Being killed in the cause of Allah is martyrdom; dying of plague is martyrdom; drowning is martyrdom; dying of an internal disease is martyrdom; and if a woman dies during the postpartum period, her baby will drag her with the umbilical cord to Jannah (Paradise).' (Related by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud in his Sunan [Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes]) A report with a similar meaning was related by Imam Muslim in his book (Part No. 11; Page No. 7) Al-Imarah, chapter 51, vol. 3, p.1521)There is much evidence that indicates the great reward of a woman who dies during her postpartum period or pregnancy and that she is one of the martyrs among the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, the highest level of martyrdom is that of the person killed in the cause of Allah (Exalted be He).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.