Suicide - It's Not An Escape!

Suicide - It's Not An Escape!

In a society that prides itself for freedom and liberty to attain maximum happiness, suicide ought to be the furthest thing from the mind. Yet it is not an uncommon practice which people resort to in times of crisis as an end to their worries, troubles and guilt. It maybe someone who is close to you, someone you love and maybe the only person who can help.
In Islam suicide is not only prohibited but it is also not an escape. This article illustrates how Islam provides an alternative that is worth living for!

All praise and gratitude is to Allah – our Creator, Provider and the Maintainer of all the worlds.

In Allah’s care…
The Creator brought together the sperm and the ovum from deep within two separate individuals, lodged the fertilized egg safely and prepared the uterus for the creation of a life. The stages of life began, from the day of conception and beyond its birth, the vibrant youth, prudent adulthood up to its death at a senile old age and beyond to another life - its real home.
Life remains helpless and dependent on its Creator and not a day passes except that the same Creator sustains this life – and the six billion others like it on the planet – with attention to the most minute of its needs.


Why despair then…
With such care and attention for detail in each individual, is it then reasonable to despair of the help of the most Merciful?
Along the same lines we find these verses in the Qur’an where Allah says «“Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was nothing worth mentioning? Verily, We have created man from drops of mixed semen (of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him a hearer and seer. Verily, We showed him the way (gave him guidance in all matters), whether he be grateful or ungrateful."»[Surah Insan 76:1-3]


For us is to worship and the provision is from Him…
He created us with such care and attention for a noble purpose and assured us that He will sustain and look after each and every need. The Creator informs in the Qur’an, «“I did not create the Jinn or the human except that they worship me; I do not want any provision from them (neither for themselves nor for any creatures) nor do I seek that they should feed Me (i.e. provide for whom I provide). Verily, Allah He is the Provider (of all), possessor of Power, the Most Strong.” »[Surah Dhariyat 51:56-58]


Why the trials and hardship…
Thus Allah took the responsibility of providing for and looking after all the affairs of each and every individual and reassured He is the One fully capable of that. Our concern is not to be anxious even in the most trying circumstance, because Allah promised to provide a way out. Rather our concern is to worship Him by living a life of obedience to Him and excellence in every walk of life.
Any hardship faced is no more than a trial to prove that our only concern is the approval of our actions by Allah, before anyone else in the community and even before our own pleasure. Allah promised in the Qur’an, «“Do people think that they will be left alone on (merely) saying: ‘We believe,’ and not be tested (in their claims)? We have indeed tested those who were before them; and Allah will certainly make it known those who were truthful and He will certainly make known the liars.” »[Surah Ankabut 29:1-2]


Thus suicide forbidden in Qur’an and Prophetic example…
Given that Allah promised to undertake the sustenance and any delay thereafter or withholding of any of its needs being merely for a trial, then there is no room for a person to take away the life that Allah has created for an important purpose.
He prohibited the destroying of ones life in any manner as understood by the general meaning of the wording of this verse, «“And do not throw (yourselves) with your own hands to destruction; but work (deeds of) excellence for verily Allah loves the people of excellence.”» [Surah Baqarah 2:195]
Thus we are ordered not to destroy ourselves, rather to direct the mind and energies to doing good deeds that please Allah. In another verse Allah says, «“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allaah is Most merciful to you.” »[Surah Nisaa 4:29]

In fact the taking of even one life is regarded as the taking of the life of the whole of mankind, «“Whoever kills a soul – unless for another soul or for corruption (vice and mischief spread) in the land – it is as if he had slain the whole of mankind. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved the whole of mankind.”» [Surah Ma’idah 5:32]

The Messenger of Allah (May the peace and blessings be on him) also prohibited it as learnt from the following hadith. “"Whoever throws himself down from a mountain and kills himself, he will be in the Fire of Hell throwing himself down for ever and ever. Whoever drinks poison and kills himself will have the poison in his hand, drinking it in the Fire of Hell for ever and ever. Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron (i.e. a weapon) will have that piece of iron in his hand, stabbing himself in the stomach with it in the Fire of Hell forever and ever."” (Compiled in Sahih Bukhari).


The pain of suicide is for ever…
A person, who commits suicide, does so believing it an escape from his crisis so he ends his life willing to bear a moment of pain and may throw himself of a cliff. Yet this hadith shows that he actually brings upon himself that pain not just momentarily but again and again in Hell-fire.

But from His mercy He may forgive suicide – so why not stay alive in His mercy…
However, from the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, He may forgive any sin committed by a person no matter how grave or He may punish in this life or in Hell-fire, except for Shirk (Associating partners to Allah). Shirk in divinity, Lordship and worship is the only sin that Allah does not forgive. The one doing shirk may seek forgiveness from the partner he claims to Allah in divinity, but he is seeking forgiveness from someone who doesn’t have the authority to forgive!
This principle of forgiveness is established clearly in the Quran, «“Verily Allah does not forgive that you set up partners with Him but He forgives anything else for whoever He wishes.” »[Surah Nisaa 4:48]


A day’s worth for a Muslim…
An extra day alive is that much longer to work good deeds to distance oneself from the eternal torment of Hell-fire and a golden opportunity to win a better place in Paradise. He / she is deserving of this mercy of Allah: Paradise which no eye has ever seen, nor any ear has ever heard nor conceived by any mind.
It is for this a Muslim is directed to strive every moment he is alive by the favour of Allah. A Believer capitalizes on each breath Allah allows him – only the ignorant would throw away such a bargain! Allah says, «“And whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) will see it (on the Day of Resurrection to be rewarded) and whoever does mischief equal to the weight of an atom shall see it.” »[Surah Zalzalah 99:7-8]00


Reassurances in Qur’an and a purpose to live…
Thus a person contemplating suicide finds reassurance in the Qur’an and purpose for life. He finds an explanation for ease or hardship. He realizes that every hardship expiates for his sins and elevates his rank in Paradise. He finds internal peace and pleasure even in external hardship and suffering and strives to acquire or lose the eternal comfort in the Hereafter. The feelings of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and self-loathing diminish as a Believer contemplates on the message of the Qur’an, reflects on life and patterns the life according to its wise injunctions. Initially, this achievement may be for moments only but with time and following the guidance of the Qur’an it may become a constant state.


Mixing with people…
The effectiveness of this process can be enhanced tremendously by interaction with other people, righteous Muslims and especially the people with Islamic knowledge and counselors. As negative feelings develop and pessimism sets in, they can draw attention to vital realities of this life and the Hereafter, as well as be the encouraging spirit. Not everyone will be sensitive nor can the person open up to just anyone, however it is good to at least be open with someone who is understanding and able to help.


Self-worth… with people…and with Allah…
No matter how insignificant a person is in the eyes of his peers, he is important enough in the sight of The Creator, that He created him with such care from even before birth. The society judges a person for wealth, power, success in career, physical attraction and other worldly traits. But a person who has none of this or has lost everything may still be the dearest to Allah, the angels and the believers who are rightly guided!
In Islam, the worth of an individual is solely based on taqwa – God consciousness that produces righteousness and piety. A peasant or a bankrupt businessman may be superior to a CEO of the most successful organization on earth – if he excels in taqwa!
Allah makes this point clear in the Qur’an, «“O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has the most taqwa (piety). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-aware.”» [Surah Hujurat 49:13]


Even at times of weakness, step at a time…
Although reassured that in the sight of Allah the worthiness of an individual is measured only by taqwa, a person may still be weary - especially at times of high stress, depression and anxiety - of him being able to attain this taqwa and self-worth.

Yet the Quran inspires and motivates even the weakest of the Believers to achieve the highest success. Allah declares in the Quran reassuringly, «“Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a Believer, verily, to him We will give a good life (in this life with contentment etc), and certainly We shall give them a reward (in the eternal Hereafter) according to the best of what they used to do.”» [Surah Nahl 16:97]
Thus when overwhelmed by stress and concerns, doing noble and pious deeds may seem far, but a believer finds reassurance that he or she will be rewarded by the best acts he does at any time in his life and momentary lapses may well be forgiven by Allah the Oft-Forgiving, Merciful.

And at that moment of trauma when little seems possible, a believer is reminded in the Quran, «“And whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) will see it (on the Day of Resurrection to be rewarded) and whoever does mischief equal to the weight of an atom shall see it.” »[Surah Zalzalah 99:7-8]
So instead of despair, a believer is found unconcerned of the society’s estimation of him or of a major worldly loss, there is neither grief over what destroyed the past nor anxiety over what the future holds, rather the only concern is to do even an atoms weight of good at that difficult moment – even if it is merely persevering patiently till a better moment later on, when big acts of piety can be performed. This is because the reward from Allah, the most Merciful, is in accordance to the best actions performed by the person. In fact patiently persevering in such a difficult moment may rank as the best of deeds!


Even the worst moment can actually become the best…
In fact not a moment passes by in the life of a Muslim even if a catastrophe befalls him, except that it can be a success and a bonus for the Believer if he bears it patiently! Even while overwhelmed by grief, anxieties and a desire to finish it all with suicide, merely holding on till it passes away even without doing any other good deed in that state can actually turn that depressing moment into one of triumph and sure success.
The Messenger of Allah (May the peace and blessings be upon him) said, ““The case of a believer is amazing! Every affair of his is good for him, and this is not for anyone except a believer: if he experiences something pleasant, he is grateful to Allah and that is good for him; and if he comes across some adversity, he is patiently persevering (i.e. has sabr) and that too is good for him!”” [Compiled in Sahih Muslim]

In fact we learn from another hadith that, ““When Allah wants well for a slave of His, He hastens the punishment in this world (rather than the severe and eternal Hereafter). And when Allah wants for His slave bad, He withholds from him (the punishment for) his sin until he takes it from him on the Day of Resurrection.” ”[An authentic hadith collected by Tirmidhi]
Thus the one suffering hardship may actually be more beloved to Allah than one who is being left and not punished despite sins and impiety. The Prophet informed, ““Nothing strikes a Muslim – no fatigue, illness, worry, grief, hurt nor sorrow; not even a prick of a thorn – except that Allah wipes off due to it some of his sins.”” [Collected in Sahih of Bukhari & Muslim]


Even if his world seems to be falling apart…
With a sense of worth for even the smallest good deeds, a believer bears the most trying of hardships reassured that as the Messenger of Allah (May the peace and blessings be upon him said, ““Verily, the greatness of the reward is with the greatness (or severity) of the trial. Verily if Allah loves a people He tries them (with trials).”” [An authentic hadith collected by Tirmidhi]

Thus, what may seem to another as his world falling apart in front of his eyes and nothing to live for, a Believer sees in the same an equally great world of unending bliss and comfort being prepared for him or her in Paradise so long as he bears it with patience for although this life is for being tried repetitively, «“Verily along with every difficulty is relief (that comes thereafter).” »[Surah Inshirah 94:6]


The relief is near – a guarantee from Allah…
If the relief doesn’t come immediately, it’s not far. This, Allah guarantees, «“Or did you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) that came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When will come the help of Allah?’ Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!” [»Surah Baqarah 2:214].


So why then would anyone want to commit suicide!!
It is not surprising then, with such compelling reasons to live for and reassurances of help, Allah warned of some of the most severe punishments for the one who ends his own life – a life that in fact belongs to Allah! As the above mentioned hadith of the punishment of the one who committed suicide shows, the self-infliction of the same fatal blow repeatedly in hell-fire again and again, a person who commits suicide hasn’t found an escape from his worries; in fact, it’s just the beginning.

Monotheism

               Monotheism, Worship

Repentance In Islam  The word Tawbah(Repentance) in Arabic literally means 'to return'. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allah has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded. The subject of repentance is one which concerns all people who believe in God, and is vital one for the Muslims to understand because our salvation in the hereafter is dependent on our repentance to Allah, as is shown by Allah's order: «"And turn you all together in repentence to Allah O Believers, that you may be successful." »[Qur'an, Chapter 24: Verse 31] In the Quran, Allah also tells us: «"Surely Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentence and loves those who purify themselves."» [Qur'an, Chapter 2: Verse 222] This shows how pleasing our repenting is to Allah. Also, the Prophet, (peace be upon him) gave us an example of just how pleasing to Allah our repenting is. In an authentic hadith (saying of the Prophet) he said: “"Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be, who suddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after losing it in a barren land"” (1) Try to imagine your joy if you were to suddenly retrieve everything you ever possessed after losing all hope of recovering what you had lost. Then think that Allah's delight is even greater than this when His slave repents to Him. So much so, that if man stopped repenting to Allah, Allah would replace us with another creation that would turn to Him for forgiveness. The Prophet PBUH said: “"If you did not commit sins, Allah would sweep you out of existence and replace you by another people who would commit sins, ask for Allah's forgiveness and He would forgive them."” (2) The problem with many of us today is that we don't fear Allah, which means that we don't think twice about disobeying Him and therefore falling into sin. So perhaps we should think about the statement which Ibn Mas'ood (3) made: "A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is afraid may fall on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose in illustration)." (4) Never despair Someone might say, 'I want to repent but my sins are too many.' But Allah says in the Qur'an:« "O My salves who have transgressed agaisnt themselves! Despair not for the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." »[Qur'an, Chapter 39: Verse 53] Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allah's forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet PBUH said: “ "O people! Turn to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." ”(5) Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altogether, as the Prophet PBUH said: “"One who repents from sin is like one without sin."” (6) Only Allah can forgive sins Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically; it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet PBUH advised:“ "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked, "Not even you O Messenger of Allah?" He replied. "Not even me unless Allah bestows His pardon and mercy on me."” (7) Therefore in Islam, salvation rests on faithm good actions and hope in Allah's mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system. Furthermore, it is only Allah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du'a (supplication) which the Prophet PBUH taught his closest companion Abu Bakr(8): “"O Allah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you." ”(9) Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as "saints", pious people or even the Prophet PBUH himself. Allah says in reply to people who do such things: «"Verily, those you call besides Allah are only slaves like yourselves."» [Qur'an, Chapter 7: Verse 194] It is important that we never despair of Allah's Mercy. No sin is too great to repent for -or too little for that matter. As one of the salaf(pious predecessors) said: "Do not look at the insignifance of your sins, but consider the greatness of The One you are disobeying." (10)