"Whoever Leaves His Home as an Emigrant" — The Companion Who Died En Route
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Level: basic
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وَمَن يَخۡرُجۡ مِنۢ بَيۡتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ يُدۡرِكۡهُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ
— النساء 100
Verse: "Whoever leaves his home emigrating to Allah and His Messenger, then death overtakes him — his reward has fallen upon Allah." (4:100)
Occasion (Hasan): Ibn Abbas narrated: Damra ibn Al-Ays — or Junada ibn Damra Al-Laythi — was ill in Mecca and ordered his family to carry him on a stretcher to emigrate to Medina. He died en route before arriving. Some said he had no emigration because he died on the way. This verse was then revealed.
Lesson: What matters is sincere intention and genuine departure — whoever left for Allah did not lose his reward even without reaching his destination.
Source: Al-Tabari (9/23); Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim; Lubab Al-Nuqul by Al-Suyuti
Question: What ruling did the verse establish for one who died during emigration before reaching the destination?
Answer: His reward is guaranteed with Allah — the emigration was completed by the intention and departure, not by completing the arrival.