Is someone who dies under the roof of a mosque due to an earthquake during prayer, without having interrupted their prayer, considered a martyr or a suicide?
If, during prayer, an emergency occurs, such as an earthquake or a fire, and the worshiper predominantly believes they will perish, it is obligatory for them to flee from the prayer and seek salvation. This is because it is not permissible for them to remain in a place where destruction is expected, in accordance with the Almighty’s saying: ﴿And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction.﴾ It is also obligatory for them to interrupt the prayer to save an innocent life from the danger of drowning or burning, even if the prayer is obligatory. This is because saving a life takes precedence over continuing the prayer, and the worshiper would be sinful if they did not interrupt it, even if their prayer remains valid.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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