The word “suicide” is defined as the act of intentionally killing oneself. Suicide has two types; the first one is active suicide which means take own life in a direct way such as by using poison, knife, spear, rifle, jump from height or in fire and the other one is passive suicide which means going to refrain from striving to remain alive, for example stop eating and drinking, not treating or taking care of wound which you know later become the cause of death, not trying to escape from fire, stay motionless in water and there are so many other examples also.

Today, we see many people resorting to suicide when life gets hard for them. Even severe depression led people to have suicidal thoughts. Some even try to commit suicide to end their painful life. As per the study of WHO, an average 80000 people die every year from suicide due to mental illness.

Suiciding is one of the most painful things that no one wishes to bear in life. And almost every religion has labelled it as ‘not the last option’. No matter what religion you follow, killing oneself is forbidden.

The most common reasons of people resorting to self-harm are depression, sadness and extreme stress. Deep depressive thoughts, finding no hope in life lead people to end their life believing that their pain will end too.

From a young age in the Muslim community, individuals are strictly told to stay away from suicide as it is declared haram in Islam. Allah said in the Quran

“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, God is the most merciful” [4:29]

“And do not throw yourselves in destruction.” (Quran 2:195)

The Quran makes it clear that human life is sacred.  Life cannot be taken without justification and the right to life is inherent in the tenants of Islam.  Life itself is a gift from the Creator that we are obliged to care for.    Suicide out of despair of God’s mercy or worldly problems is strictly forbidden.  Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said: Whoever kills himself with something in this world will be punished with it on the Day of Resurrection. It is a major sin and its punishment is subject to the will of God.  If He wills, He will forgive it, and if He wills He will punish for it.

In media, Islam and suicide have unfortunately been seasonalised and linked. Even though Muslims strongly believes that our religion has condemned the act of harming oneself, still there are Muslims that are promoting it. This life is a gift from Allah (swt) and He does not like people who take their own life.

A Muslim taking his own life, will not be rewarded for it piousness, no matter how many good deeds he did in his life in this world.

Thabit Ibn Al-Dahak narrated that the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said:

“Whosoever kills himself with anything in this world will be tortured with it on the Day of Judgment” [Sahih Bukahri]

If a person commits suicide, he goes straight to hell. This statement is enough to shook one’s mind but that’s a reality that even our Prophet (PBUH) told us at different instances.

Narrated Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak:

The Prophet said, “Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam, is, as he says; and whoever commits suicide with something, will be punished with the same thing in the (Hell) Fire; and cursing a believer is like murdering him; and whoever accuses a believer of disbelief, then it is as if he had killed him” [Sahih Bukkhari, 78].

Allah’s rules and commandments never changes even if people think that being mentally ill makes it right for them to take their own life.

Humans are not capable to think widely about their lives but God knows very well about our futures and existence. Our Lord has created us with both good and bad times, if we are able to understand and accept that reality of life then never lose hope in difficult situations, but trust on God that one day that time definitely ends.

Allah says:

“Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (Alone). It is He Who sends down rain and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does anyone know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: or does anyone know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).”

[Chapter 31of Quran Surah Luqman, verse 34]

Islam advices to mankind that life is not like a property of us, rather it is granted to every human being as a trust. It is mentioned in Quran that:

“It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death: and those that die not (He takes their souls) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the Decree of Death He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (back their souls to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.”

[Chapter 39 of Quran Surah Zumar, verse 42]

Indeed, every person’s place and time of death is declared by God, but when an individual has committed suicide then he will certainly be held accountable for planning to take his own life and satisfying his purpose. God has granted us free will and by utilizing it if we are taking our own life then, that use of our free will is exactly what we will be punished for in hereafter.

Allah says that:

“Wherever ye death will find you out, even if ye are in towers built up strong and high.”

[Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa, verse 78]

In chapter 3 of Quran it is also mentioned:

“Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave; the term being fixed as by writing.”

[Surah Al-Imran verse 145]

Allah’s Messenger Mohammad (PBUH), said:

“(The matter of the Creation of) a human being is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an Angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i.e. the new creature’s) deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 4.430, Narrated by Abdullah bin Musud] 

Hence, all of the above verses and hadiths are trying to explain that Life is very precious and it is the blessing of Allah. We must be thankful to what Allah has given us because he plans the best for His servants. Taking one’s own life is the thankless act towards Allah which Allah does not like.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 21 2023

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