Will the martyr of the second rank not be in the tent of Allah? And does committing sins prevent a Muslim from attaining the highest ranks of martyrdom? What are the conditions for each rank, and how can one who has committed sins attain the highest rank of martyrdom?

The Prophetic narration classifies those killed into three categories: a believer who strove with his life and wealth until he was killed. He is the best of martyrs, tested in Allah’s tent, surpassed by the prophets only by the degree of prophethood. The second is a believer who committed sins but strove with his life and wealth until he was killed, so his sins were erased, and he was admitted into Paradise from any gate he wished, for the sword expiates sins. The third is a hypocrite who strove until he was killed, but he is in the Fire, for the sword does not expiate hypocrisy.

The narration points to two ranks of martyrs: the best of them is he who was not known to have committed sins and was upright, and who sacrificed all he possessed in the way of Allah. The second is he who committed sins then strove and was killed, for martyrdom erases his sins, except for the consequences [rights of others].

To achieve the first rank for one who has committed sins, the way is sincere repentance, for the one who repents from a sin is like one who has no sin, and the repentant person may be better after his repentance.