The world is a place of testing; here every person has to face some kind of trial. Whether Muslim or disbeliever, obedient servant or disobedient, male or female, young or old — everyone goes through various kinds of tests in life. The nature of these trials is sometimes physical, sometimes domestic, sometimes financial, and sometimes psychological. Some people are tested by being afflicted with illnesses, some are troubled by the bad behavior of their wife or children, and some are affected by poverty, employment issues, or family disputes. In short, a person is always in some kind of test.
But the successful one is the person who, during all these trials, shows patience and gratitude, remains content with Allah Almighty’s decree, and never complains with his tongue. Allah Almighty has said in the Holy Quran:
﴿ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِیْنَ ٭ الَّذِیْنَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْہُمْ مُّصِیْبَۃٌ قَالُوْا إِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَإِنَّا إِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ٭ أُولٰئِکَ عَلَیْہِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّہِمْ وَرَحْمَۃٌ وَّأُولٰئِکَ ہُمُ الْمُہْتَدُوْنَ﴾
Translation: “And (O Muhammad ﷺ) give glad tidings to the patient, who, when afflicted with calamity, say: Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.
﴿ وَ لَا تَقْتُلُوْٓا اَنْفُسَکُمْ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ کَانَ بِکُمْ رَحِیْمًا ٭ وَمَنْ یَّفْعَلْ ذٰلِکَ عُدْوَانًا وَّ ظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِیْہِ نَارًا وَکَانَ ذٰلِکَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ یَسِیْرًا ﴾
Translation: “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful. And whoever does that in aggression and injustice – then We will drive him into a Fire. And that, for Allah, is [always] easy.”
The person who ends his own life is actually despairing of Allah’s mercy, and it is stated in the Quran:
﴿ اِنَّہٗ لَا یَایْئَسُ مِنْ رَّوْحِ اللّٰہِ اِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْکٰفِرُوْنَ ﴾
Translation: “Indeed, only those who disbelieve despair of Allah’s mercy.”
Similarly, it is stated:
﴿ وَمَنْ یَّقْنَطُ مِنْ رَّحْمَۃِ رَبِّہٖٓ اِلَّا الضَّآلُّوْنَ ﴾
Translation: “And only the misguided despair of the mercy of their Lord.”
Therefore, it is not befitting for a believer to despair of Allah’s mercy.
◈ The severity of suicide in the light of Ahadith
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
( لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ )
Translation: “Do not harm yourselves or others.”
Therefore, any act that causes harm to a person is forbidden, and suicide is the greatest harm.
Hazrat Jundub bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There was a man among the previous nation who got wounded and could not bear it; he cut off his hand with a knife and died. Allah Almighty said:
(بَادَرَنِی عَبْدِی بِنَفْسِہِ، حَرَّمْتُ عَلَیْہِ الْجَنَّۃَ)”
Translation: “My servant hastened against his own soul, so I have forbidden Paradise for him.”
This hadith makes it clear that suicide can lead to deprivation from Paradise.
✿ The fate of one who commits suicide in Jihad
According to the narration of Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d (RA), a man was fighting very bravely in Jihad. The companions said: “We have never seen such bravery today!”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Beware! He is a denizen of Hell.”
When a companion pursued him, he saw that the man, unable to bear his wounds, committed suicide with his own sword.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَیَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ أَہْلِ الْجَنَّۃِ فِیْمَا یَبْدُوْ لِلنَّاسِ وَہُوَ مِنْ أَہْلِ النَّارِ)
Translation: “Sometimes a person outwardly performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, but in reality, he is from the people of Hell.”
This incident shows that suicide, under any circumstances, is an unlawful and deadly sin in the sight of Allah.
❀ Punishment of Suicide in the Hereafter
The Holy Prophet ﷺ has clearly stated in numerous hadiths that a person who commits suicide takes his life in this world, but in the Hereafter, he faces eternal punishment.
He ﷺ said:
(مَنْ تَرَدَّی مِنْ جَبَلٍ فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ فَہُوَ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ یَتَرَدَّی فِیہَا خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “Whoever throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will be in Hell, continually falling upon it.”
(وَمَنْ تَحَسَّی سُمًّا فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ فَسُمُّہُ فِی یَدِہٖ یَتَحَسَّاہُ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “Whoever drinks poison and kills himself will be in Hell, repeatedly drinking it in his hand, and will remain there forever.”
(وَمَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ بِحَدِیْدَۃٍ فَحَدِیْدَتُہُ فِی یَدِہٖ یَجَأُ بِہَا فِی بَطْنِہٖ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “And whoever kills himself with an iron weapon will be stabbing himself with that weapon in Hell and will remain there forever.”
These hadiths illustrate the severity of this sin and the severe punishment that follows.
◈ Other Methods of Suicide and Their Prohibition
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
(اَلَّذِیْ یَخْنِقُ نَفْسَہُ یَخْنِقُہَا فِی النَّارِ، وَالَّذِیْ یَطْعَنُہَا یَطْعَنُہَا فِی النَّارِ)
Translation: “Whoever strangles himself in this world will continue to strangle himself in Hell. And whoever wounds himself with an instrument will continue to wound himself with the same instrument in Hell.”
This punishment will never end; there will be no death there. In this world, he invited death, but in Hell, death will never touch him.
The same meaning has been explained by the Prophet ﷺ in another hadith:
(مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ بِشَیْءٍ فِی الدُّنْیَا عُذِّبَ بِہِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ)
Translation: “Whoever kills himself with something in this world will be punished with the same thing on the Day of Resurrection.”
❀ Will the one who commits suicide remain in Hell forever?
In some ahadith, it is mentioned that Paradise is forbidden for the one who commits suicide and he will remain in Hell forever. However, the scholars and muhaddithin have clarified that if the one who commits suicide is a monotheistic Muslim — that is, one who worships Allah alone — then he will not remain in Hell forever.
If Allah Almighty wills, He may punish him for his sin and admit him to Paradise, or He may forgive him because of his monotheism and faith.
These ahadith are actually to show the severity and heinousness of the sin, so that no believer even approaches this sin.
◈ The ruling on the funeral prayer for a person who commits suicide
Now the question arises: Should the funeral prayer be offered for a person who commits suicide or not?
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah (RA) that
“A dead body was brought to the Prophet ﷺ who had killed himself with arrows, and the Prophet ﷺ did not offer the funeral prayer for him.”
That is, the Prophet ﷺ himself did not perform the funeral prayer, but he did not forbid the companions either.
From this, the jurists have deduced that:
Ordinary Muslims should offer the funeral prayer for a person who commits suicide,
but scholars, people of virtue, and respected personalities should not participate in it so that the severity of this sin becomes apparent to the public and people learn a lesson.
❀ Causes of Suicide and Their Treatment
In Islam, the trigger for suicide is often despair, grief, or worldly loss. However, the Shariah has clearly outlined its treatment:
➊ Faith and acceptance of Divine Decree
Having faith that whatever happens is by Allah’s decision.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A true believer is one who believes in both good and bad fate.”
➋ Complete belief in Tawheed
Strong faith in Allah gives a person steadfastness even in calamities. According to statistics, suicide incidents are higher in non-Muslim countries, which shows that faith instills patience and endurance in a person.
➌ Considering calamities as expiation for sins
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(مَا یُصِیْبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلَا وَصَبٍ…)
Translation: “Whatever fatigue, illness, grief, or pain a Muslim suffers, even if it is the prick of a thorn, Allah will erase his sins in return.”
4. Supplicating and Seeking Help from Allah
During times of distress, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught various supplications that bring peace to the heart and strengthen the certainty of Allah’s mercy.
✿ Sunnah Supplications During Times of Distress and Grief
❀ Hazrat Asma bint Umais رضي الله عنها was taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
(اللّٰہُ رَبِّی لَا أُشْرِکُ بِہِ شَیْئًا)
Translation: “Allah is my Lord; I do not associate anyone with Him.”
❀ Hazrat Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite this supplication in distress:
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا اللّٰہُ الْعَظِیمُ الْحَلِیْمُ…)
Translation: “There is no deity except Allah, the Most Great, the Most Forbearing.”
❀ Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه was taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا اللّٰہُ الْحَلِیْمُ الْکَرِیْمُ…)
Translation: “There is no one worthy of worship except Allah; He is Forbearing and Generous.”
❀ In the narration of Hazrat Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه, the supplication is:
(اَللّٰہُمَّ رَحْمَتَکَ أَرْجُوْ…)
Translation: “O Allah! I hope for Your mercy; do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”
❀ Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite this supplication:
(یَا حَیُّ یَا قَیُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِکَ أَسْتَغِیْثُ)
Translation: “O Ever-Living, Sustaining Lord! I seek help from Your mercy.”
❀ Supplication of Prophet Yunus (AS):
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَکَ إنِّیْ کُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِیْنَ)
Translation: “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
❀ Punishment for Suicide in the Hereafter
The Holy Prophet ﷺ has clearly stated in numerous hadiths that a person who commits suicide takes his own life in this world, but in the Hereafter, he faces eternal punishment.
He ﷺ said:
(مَنْ تَرَدَّی مِنْ جَبَلٍ فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ فَہُوَ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ یَتَرَدَّی فِیہَا خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “Whoever throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will be in the Hellfire, continually falling upon it.”
(وَمَنْ تَحَسَّی سُمًّا فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ فَسُمُّہُ فِی یَدِہٖ یَتَحَسَّاہُ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “Whoever drinks poison and kills himself will be in the Hellfire, repeatedly drinking poison in his hand and abiding therein forever.”
(وَمَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ بِحَدِیْدَۃٍ فَحَدِیْدَتُہُ فِی یَدِہٖ یَجَأُ بِہَا فِی بَطْنِہٖ فِی نَارِ جَہَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِیہَا أَبَدًا)
Translation: “And whoever kills himself with an iron weapon will be stabbing himself with that weapon in the Hellfire and will abide therein eternally.”
These hadiths illustrate the severity of this sin and the severe punishment that follows.
◈ Other Methods of Suicide and Their Prohibition
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
(اَلَّذِیْ یَخْنِقُ نَفْسَہُ یَخْنِقُہَا فِی النَّارِ، وَالَّذِیْ یَطْعَنُہَا یَطْعَنُہَا فِی النَّارِ)
Translation: “Whoever strangles himself in this world will continue to strangle himself in Hell. And whoever wounds himself with an instrument will continue to wound himself with the same instrument in Hell.”
This punishment will never end; there will be no death there. In this world, he invited death, but in Hell, death will never touch him.
The same meaning has been explained by the Prophet ﷺ in another hadith:
(مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَہُ بِشَیْءٍ فِی الدُّنْیَا عُذِّبَ بِہِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ)
Translation: “Whoever kills himself with something in this world will be punished with the same thing on the Day of Judgment.”
❀ Will the one who commits suicide remain in Hell forever?
In some ahadith, it is mentioned that Paradise is forbidden for the one who commits suicide and he will remain in Hell forever. However, the muhaddithin and scholars have clarified that if the one who commits suicide is a monotheistic Muslim — that is, one who worships Allah alone — then he will not remain in Hell forever.
If Allah wills, He may punish him for his sin and admit him to Paradise, or He may forgive him because of his monotheism and faith.
These hadiths are actually to show the severity and heinousness of the sin, so that no believer even approaches this sin.
◈ The ruling on the funeral prayer for a person who commits suicide
Now the question arises, if a person commits suicide, should his funeral prayer be offered or not?
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah (RA) that
“A dead body was brought to the Prophet ﷺ who had killed himself with arrows, so the Prophet ﷺ did not offer the funeral prayer for him.”
That is, the Prophet ﷺ himself did not perform the funeral prayer, but he did not forbid the companions either.
From this, jurists have deduced that:
Ordinary Muslims should offer the funeral prayer for a person who commits suicide,
but scholars, men of knowledge, and respected personalities should not participate in it so that the gravity of this sin becomes apparent to the public and people learn a lesson.
❀ Causes of Suicide and Their Treatment
In Islam, the trigger for suicide is often despair, grief, or worldly loss. However, the Shariah has clearly outlined its treatment:
➊ Faith and acceptance of Divine Decree
Having faith that whatever happens is by Allah’s decision.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A true believer is one who believes in both good and bad fate.”
➋ Complete belief in Tawheed
Strong faith in Allah gives a person steadfastness even in adversity. According to statistics, suicide incidents are higher in non-Muslim countries, which shows that faith instills patience and endurance in a person.
➌ Considering calamities as expiation for sins
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(مَا یُصِیْبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلَا وَصَبٍ…)
Translation: “Whatever fatigue, illness, grief, or pain a Muslim suffers, even if it is the prick of a thorn, Allah will erase his sins in return.”
4. Supplicating and Seeking Help from Allah
During times of distress, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught various supplications that bring peace to the heart and strengthen the certainty of Allah’s mercy.
✿ Sunnah Supplications at Times of Distress and Grief
❀ Hazrat Asma bint Umais رضي الله عنها was taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
(اللّٰہُ رَبِّی لَا أُشْرِکُ بِہِ شَیْئًا)
Translation: “Allah is my Lord; I do not associate anyone with Him.”
❀ Hazrat Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite this supplication in distress:
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا اللّٰہُ الْعَظِیمُ الْحَلِیْمُ…)
Translation: “There is no deity except Allah, the Most Great, the Most Forbearing.”
❀ Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه was taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا اللّٰہُ الْحَلِیْمُ الْکَرِیْمُ…)
Translation: “There is no deity except Allah; He is Forbearing and Most Generous.”
❀ In the narration of Hazrat Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه, the supplication is:
(اَللّٰہُمَّ رَحْمَتَکَ أَرْجُوْ…)
Translation: “O Allah! I hope for Your mercy; do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”
❀ Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite this supplication:
(یَا حَیُّ یَا قَیُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِکَ أَسْتَغِیْثُ)
Translation: “O Ever-Living, Sustaining Lord! I seek help from Your mercy.”
❀ Supplication of Prophet Yunus (AS):
(لَا إلٰہَ إلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَکَ إنِّیْ کُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِیْنَ)
Translation: “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
❀ The Reality of Trial and Testing
Allah Almighty has created humans in this world for the purpose of testing. At every stage of life, a person has to go through some hardship, pain, or distress. This is the reality of this world — it is not a place of comfort and ease but a home of patience and trial.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
﴿ لَآ اُقْسِمُ بِہٰذَا الْبَلَدِ ٭ وَاَنْتَ حِلٌّ بِہٰذَا الْبَلَدِ ٭ وَوَالِدٍ وَّمَا وَلَدَ ٭ لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِِنْسَانَ فِیْ کَبَدٍ ﴾
Translation: “I swear by this city (Makkah), and you reside in this city, and by the father and that which was born (his offspring)! Indeed, We created man in toil.”
Similarly, He said:
﴿ یَا أَیُّہَا الْاِِنْسَانُ إِنَّکَ کَادِحٌ إِلٰی رَبِّکَ کَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِیْہِ ﴾
Translation: “O man! Indeed, you are striving toward your Lord with great effort and will meet Him.”
This means that human life is continuously filled with struggle, hardship, and testing. But the servant who endures these difficulties with patience and contentment will have a great reward and blessing in the Hereafter.
◈ Glad Tidings for Those Who Are Patient in Trials
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
(إِنَّ عِظَمَ الْجَزَاءِ مَعَ عِظَمِ الْبَلَاءِ، وَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ قَوْمًا ابْتَلَاہُمْ، فَمَنْ رَضِیَ فَلَہُ الرِّضَا، وَمَنْ سَخِطَ فَلَہُ السَّخَطُ)
Translation: “Great reward comes with great trials. And when Allah loves a people, He tests them. So whoever is pleased, there is Allah’s pleasure for him, and whoever is displeased, there is Allah’s displeasure for him.”
This hadith teaches us that trials are actually a sign of Allah’s love. Whoever is patient, Allah opens the doors of His mercy for him.
❀ Second Stage: Suicide Attacks and Mass Killing
Islam has declared all forms of suicide forbidden, whether a person limits it to himself or also takes the lives of others.
In today’s era, some people call suicide bombings “jihad,” but in reality, these are both suicide and unjust killing — both are the gravest sins in Islam.
Allah Almighty said:
﴿ وَمَنْ یَّقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُہُ جَہَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِیْہَا وَغَضِبَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَلَعَنَہُ وَأَعَدَّ لَہُ عَذَابًا عَظِیْمًا ﴾
Translation: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is Hell (the first warning), he will abide therein forever (the second warning), and Allah’s wrath is upon him (the third warning), and His curse is upon him (the fourth warning), and a great punishment is prepared for him (the fifth warning).”
This verse makes it clear that taking the life of a believer — regardless of the excuse — is an unforgivable crime in the sight of Allah.
Therefore, if a person detonates an explosion killing himself along with others, he commits a double crime:
➊ Suicide,
➋ Murder of others.
Both these sins have the most severe warnings mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah.
◈ The command of the Quran: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction”
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ وَلَا تُلْقُوْا بِاَیْدِیْکُمْ إِلَی التَّہْلُکَۃِ ﴾
Translation: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction.”
This verse not only forbids suicide but also prohibits every act that gradually leads a person towards ruin.
❀ Other forms of self-destruction
In Islam, there are several forms of putting oneself in destruction:
➊ Direct suicide:
Such as a person strangling themselves, cutting their body with a sharp object, drinking poison, or shooting themselves.
➋ Gradual destruction:
Some actions do not cause immediate death but gradually bring a person closer to death, such as intoxicants or smoking.
Smoking causes deadly diseases like cancer. Therefore, it also falls under the category of “putting oneself in destruction.”
➌ Selling body parts:
If a person sells a part of their body due to financial difficulties, this is also religiously impermissible. Allah has created every part of the body for a specific purpose; selling or destroying it is essentially paving the way for one’s own destruction.
◈ The path to salvation
The difficulties and troubles of this world are temporary, but through faith, patience, and prayer, a person can overcome them. Allah Almighty says:
﴿ أَمَّنْ یُّجِیْبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاہُ وَیَکْشِفُ السُّوْٓءَ ﴾
Translation: “Who is it that responds to the helpless when he calls upon Him and removes his distress?”
Therefore, turning to Allah in times of hardship, patience, and prayer are the believer’s most effective weapons.
Summary or Conclusion of the Article
Trials are the reality of this world; every person goes through some difficulty.
For the patient servant, Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are promised.
Suicide, in any form, is forbidden and a major sin in Islam.
Suicide attacks are not jihad but unjust killings.
Despair is contrary to faith; only disbelievers and the misguided despair of Allah’s mercy.
In times of difficulty, prayer, patience, and acceptance of Allah’s decree are the means of salvation.
Conclusion
Islam is a religion that carries perfect teachings which provide a person with hope and the light of patience even in difficulties. No problem in life is so great that a person should decide to take their own life. Allah Almighty grants ease after every hardship, and in every trial, there is an aspect of goodness and forgiveness hidden for the person.
May Allah Almighty grant us all the ability to live life with patience, contentment, and faith, and protect us from all kinds of despair and suicide. Ameen.
