An Old Man's Plea

Another amazing story of a martyr is that of Khaythamah, narrated by Ibn al-Qayyim in Zād al-Maʿād. Khaythamah was an old man, but he still wanted to join and fight, though old men were excused from it. Khaythamah's son had died a martyr at Badr: he and his son had drawn lots, since he had been so eager to join, and the lot fell on his son to go, and the son was honoured with martyrdom. Khaythamah said, "I saw him last night in my sleep. He looked wonderful, and was enjoying the fruits of Paradise. He told me, 'Come and be our companion in Paradise — I have found what Allah promised me to be true.' So, O Messenger of Allah, I swear to Allah I am so eager to join him in Paradise. I am old, and my bones are soft, so ask Allah, O Messenger of Allah, to grant me martyrdom, and let me join him in Paradise." Khaythamah was saying: I am getting old, I am afraid that if I do not die a martyr now, I might end up dying on my bed instead. So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made duʿāʾ for him, and he did die a martyr.