Shaheed

Shaheed, also transliterated as shahid, is an Arabic word used in several South Asian languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi. It traditionally means a martyr or witness, one who sacrifices life in support of faith, a cause, or defense. In Islamic theology, a shahid is someone who bears witness to the truth of their beliefs, often interpreted as someone who dies in the path of God. In broader South Asian usage, the term is extended to refer to individuals who die in military, political, or social struggles and is used as a mark of respect or remembrance.

Linguistically, the term derives from the Arabic root sh-h-d, meaning to witness. In practice, shaheed/shahid is used both as an honorific for martyrs and as a common given name or surname in the region. It appears in obituaries, memorials, and public discourse to designate people celebrated for sacrifice or sacrifice in service of a cause. Variants include shahīd (with diacritics) and colloquial spellings such as shahid or shaheed.

In culture and media, Shaheed has been used as a title or theme in films, literature, and commemorations. Notably, a Hindi-language film titled Shaheed, released in 1965, portrays the life of a martyr associated with a historical independence movement. The term also features in poetry, songs, and memorials dedicated to those who died in wars, uprisings, or other acts of devotion. The word remains a powerful symbol of sacrifice and remembrance across the Urdu-speaking and broader South Asian world.