2.154 – Do not say of anyone who is killed in the way of God, “(They are) dead.” No! (They are) alive

The idea that believers who die fighting are martyrs who go straight to heaven has its quranic basis in a series of verses, of which this is the first. Other verses like this are 3.157–58, 169–72, 195; 22.58–59; and 47.4–6. See an analysis of these verses at 47.4.

For the concept of fighting “in the way of Allah,” see the analysis at 73.20.