Martyrdom

If hardship touches you, know that others have faced hardship too. These days of triumph and trial rotate among people so that Allah may distinguish the believers, select martyrs from among you, and expose the wrongdoers.

3:140If ye have received a blow, the (disbelieving) people have received a blow the like thereof. These are (only) the vicissitudes which We cause to follow one another for mankind, to the end that Allah may know those who believe and may choose witnesses from among you; and Allah loveth not wrong-doers.

Do you think you will enter Paradise without Allah testing who among you truly strives and remains steadfast?

3:142Or deemed ye that ye would enter paradise while yet Allah knoweth not those of you who really strive, nor knoweth those (of you) who are steadfast?

You once wished for martyrdom before facing it, now you have seen it with your own eyes.

3:143And verily ye used to wish for death before ye met it (in the field). Now ye have seen it with your eyes!

Muhammad is only a messenger. Many messengers came before him. If he were to die or be killed, would you turn back? Whoever turns away does not harm Allah, but Allah will reward the grateful.

3:144Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.

No soul dies except by Allah’s decree, at a fixed time. Whoever seeks worldly gain will receive some of it, and whoever seeks the reward of the Hereafter will receive from it.

3:145No soul can ever die except by Allah's leave and at a term appointed. Whoso desireth the reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof; and whoso desireth the reward of the Hereafter, We bestow on him thereof. We shall reward the thankful.

Many prophets fought alongside devoted believers. They did not falter in adversity, nor did they weaken or surrender.

3:146And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfast.

Their only words were, ‘Our Lord, forgive our sins and excesses, make our steps firm, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.’

3:147Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.

So, Allah granted them the rewards of this world and the best reward in the Hereafter.

3:148So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good.