Shahid

Shahid and Shaheed (Arabic: شهيد‎ šahīd, plural: شُهَدَاء šuhadāʾ ) originates from the Quranic Arabic word meaning "witness" and is also used to denote a "martyr". It is used as a honorific for Muslims who have died fulfilling a religious commandment, especially those who die wielding jihad, or historically in the military expansion of Islam. The act of martyrdom is istishhad.

The word shahid in Arabic means "witness". Its development closely parallels that of Greek martys (Greek: μάρτυς - "witness", in the New Testament also "martyr"), the origin of the term martyr. Shahid occurs frequently in the Quran in the generic sense "witness", but only once in the sense "martyr; one who dies deliberately for his faith"; this latter sense acquires wider use in the hadiths.

Quranic references

A shahid is considered one whose place in Paradise is promised according to these verses in the Quran:

The Quran, chapter 3 (Al Imran), verse 169–170:

The Quran, chapter 9 (At-Tawba), verse 111:

The Quranic passage that follows is the source of the concept of Muslim martyrs being promised Paradise:

Shaheed (1965 film)

Shaheed is a 1965 Hindi movie based on Bhagat Singh's life. One of the most prominent Indian patriotic movie based on Indian independence movement, it was produced by Kewal Kashyap and directed by S Ram Sharma and stars Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Iftekhar, Nirupa Roy, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Anwar Hussain in lead roles. The music is by Prem Dhawan with several songs written by freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil. Shaheed was first of Manoj Kumar's series of patriotic films, followed by likes of Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti.

At the 13th National Film Awards, Shaheed won the award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and the award for Best Screenplay for B. K. Dutt and Din Dayal Sharma.

Story

It is the year 1916 in India. Sardar Kishan Singh and his family, including son Bhagat, are distressed when Sardar's brother, Ajit Singh, is arrested for speaking out against the British. He then mysteriously disappears after supposedly escaping from prison and is never heard from again. This makes a strong impression on young Bhagat Singh's mind. When he grows up, he joins the freedom fighting movement headed by Chandrashekar Azad. He sees an unarmed protester against the Simon Commission, killed by the police. Bhagat, Chandrashekar Ajad, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Jaygopal decide to avenge this death by killing Assistant Commissioner Saunders. They succeed in killing him. They then flee to evade the massive police manhunt. Bhagat is a prime suspect, having been identified as the Sikh with the turban. Bhagat removes his turban, shaves his beard, and, having changed his appearance, returns to the freedom movement.

Shaheed (1948 film)

Shaheed (Hindi: शहीद, "The Martyr") is a 1948 Bollywood film directed by Ramesh Saigal. The film depicts India's struggle for independence. It starred Dilip Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Chandra Mohan and Leela Chitnis. It had lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi and music by Ghulam Haider. Songs like "Watan ki Raah Men Watan Ke Naujawan Shaheed Ho" and "Badnaam Na Ho Jaaye Mohabbat Ka Fasana" have not lost their appeal even after 60 years of the film's release.

This was actor Chandra Mohan's last screen appearance. He had earlier appeared in Pukar, directed by Sohrab Modi, Humayun and Roti, both directed by Mehboob Khan, and Stree, directed by V. Shantaram.

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