Is it true that Allah forgives the sins of one afflicted by plague or who dies by one of the causes of martyrdom, except for debt? And does he inherit the highest Paradise, or is he like other servants and only given the reward of a martyr, or does he receive some of his special characteristics?

We have previously clarified in Fatwa No. 159034 that we have not come across any explicit statement from the scholars indicating that martyrs other than those of battles against disbelievers are afforded the same virtues. The only hint we found was Ibn Qudamah's indication that they are not to be equated with them. Ibn Baz, however, was hesitant on this matter, deeming that equating martyrs of the Hereafter with martyrs of battles against disbelievers in virtues requires specific evidence. As for Firdaus, it is not exclusive to martyrs, nor is there any evidence that every martyr in a battle against disbelievers will be in Firdaus Al-A'la (the highest level of Paradise).