Suicide in Islam: Revisiting Notions on Justice and Homicide

So what’s the take of Islam on Suicide, Homicide, and Justice? Read this post to learn more.

Introduction

When someone famous commits suicide, people are shocked. They can’t believe for a moment that a person or celebrity having so much fame and fortune can also take his/her own life.

And then there is pouring of eulogies and tributes from all directions and people tune in to the extensive media coverage of the minutest details of the circumstances leading to the death of that person.

The high rate of suicide in the celebrity world shows that most of these people live a fake life of glitz and show-off.

While they compete to show their outward manifestations as charming, glamorous, and attractive, the fact is that many of them are frustrated and broken from within.

Their inner-self completely devoid of peace gets revealed only when they take some drastic steps like this or decide to leave the industry.

Islam not only disapproves of this glitzy and ostentatious lifestyle but also forbids suicide if only they could realize it.

O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves, for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful!

Al-Quran 4:29

Islam on Homicide and Murder

Islam disapproves of taking life in the strictest terms be it one’s own or of others. It places great value and importance on human life.

As per Islamic jurisprudence, the value of an innocent individual is equivalent to the value of entire humankind taken together.

That’s why the Holy Quran says that if you kill one person, it is as though you have killed the entire humanity and if you save one person, it is as though you have saved the entire humanity.

“…whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whosoever saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterward lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.

Al-Quran 5:32

Suicide in Islam and Punishment

And as far as suicide especially is concerned, taking one’s own life is one of the major sins in Islam as can be ascertained for the hadith below-

Anas narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said about the major sins: “Associating partners with Allah, disobeying parents, killing oneself, and false speech.” He said: There are narrations on this topic from Abu Bakrah, Ayman bin Khuraim, and Ibn ‘Umar Abu ‘Eisa said: The Hadith of Anas is a Hasan Sahih Gharib Hadith.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1207

Insistence on Substantive Due Process and Rule of Law

The only exception to the rule of the sanctity of life in Islam, therefore, is murder and corruption. But even in these cases, an individual or state cannot just go and deprive the accused of his life.

It has to be in accordance with the due process of the law after taking into account the totality of facts and circumstances and abiding by the requirements of justice and fair trial.

Moreover, the accused must be given the fullest opportunity of right to be heard i.e. to present his case before an impartial tribunal.

In other words, it has to be a substantive due process and not just a procedural due process. Furthermore, it is not necessary as per Islamic law that this trial will always result in the execution of the murderer even if proven guilty.

Scope of Leniency in Islam

Unlike the Jewish or Christian tradition of an eye for an eye, Islam provides for the scope of reformation, leniency, and mercy too in certain cases.

Quran says that though the recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto, if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, he will get a reward from Allah and He loves not those who do wrong.

However, as a matter of abundant caution and to prevent potential manipulation and misuse, it also says that if the victim takes revenge, there is no blame on him/her.

The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.

The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.

Al-Quran 42: 40-43

Islam lays great stress on the aspect of Justice and Equity

Holy Quran repeatedly warns humankind that Allah will not forgive those who commit wrong and do injustice. At the same, it also insists on the aspect of extending mercy and kindness to all.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to humankind” (Bukhari).

In addition to this, Islam lays great stress on the aspect of justice & equity in the judicial process and also mentions quite elaborately the circumstances of justice delivery. For instance, Islamic laws prohibit judges to make decisions while they are angry or upset.

“…take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.

Al-Quran 6:151

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not personal inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

Al-Quran 4:135

Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong or injustice – never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to the right path.

Al-Quran 4:168

O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Al-Quran 5.8

“…if thou judge, judge in equity between them. For Allah loveth those who judge in equity.

Al Quran 5:42

Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakra: Abu Bakra wrote to his son who was in Sijistan: ‘Do not judge between two persons when you are angry, for I heard the Prophet (s) saying, “A judge should not judge between two persons while he is in an angry mood.“

Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 272

Due Process in Islam

Modern legal systems too, stress these aspects of a fair trial, fair witness, and due process though not explicitly mentioning the aspect of justice.

Article 21 of the Indian constitution provides that no one shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except according to the process established by law.

If we go by a literal interpretation, the provision is silent on the aspect of fairness or justice though the courts have interpreted it to include due process.

In Menaka Gandhi vs Union of India, 1978, the Supreme Court held that the mere prescription of some kind of procedure cannot even meet the mandate of Article 21.

The procedure prescribed by law has to be fair, just, and reasonable, not fanciful, oppressive, or arbitrary. The United States constitution too, says that no state shall deny any person of equal protection of the laws, or no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Islam also Forbids Infanticide

Having said that, let’s come back to the aspect of suicide. Holy Quran and Sahih Hadiths are quite explicit in prohibiting suicide.

Quran categorically says, “do not kill yourselves, surely God is most merciful to you” and various traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also forbade suicide or taking one’s own life (al-Quran 4:29).

The Prophet (s) said that he who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the hellfire and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the hell-fire” (Bukhari).

Apart from suicide, Islam also forbade the killing of children especially girls for the fear of want, poverty, or honor. Note, that female foeticide was a common practice amongst Arabs in those times. Unfortunately, this cruel tradition still persists in some patriarchal societies of Southeast Asia.

You shall not kill your offspring for fear of want. It is We who provide for them, and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin.

Al-Quran 17:31

Has He then taken daughters out of His own creation and chosen sons for you? When any of them is given the news of the very thing [i.e. a female child] which he himself has ascribed to the All-Merciful, his face darkens and he is filled with grief.

Al-Quran 43:16-17

And when the female infant buried alive is asked for what sin she was killed, when the records of men’s deeds are laid open, when the sky is unveiled, and when Hell is set ablaze, when Paradise is brought close: [then] each soul shall know what it has put forward.

Al-Quran 81:8-14

…and whoever commits suicide with a piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell-Fire.”

Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 445

…and if somebody commits suicide with anything in this world, he will be tortured with that very thing on the Day of Resurrection.”

Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 73

Narrated Jundub: Allah’s Apostle said, “Amongst the nations, before you, there was a man who got a wound, and growing impatient (with its pain), he took a knife and cut his hand with it and the blood did not stop till he died. Allah said, ‘My Slave hurried to bring death upon himself so I have forbidden him (to enter) Paradise.’ “

Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 669

Conclusion

To conclude, Islam categorically forbids suicide and the taking of innocent lives (be it of oneself or others) for any reason other than for certain crimes like murder and corruption. Even in these cases, the accused can be deprived of his life or personal liberty only after a fair trial within the confines of justice and equity.

Though the Islamic laws empower the victim with the state-assisted right to take revenge, they also provide for the scope of leniency and mercy therein.

In addition to this, Islam has also presented an enlightening and progressive jurisprudence on the fundamentals of the justice delivery system. It prohibits female foeticide and killing of children for the fear of want and poverty.

Last but not the least, the collective notions of justice, equity, and good conscience in modern legal systems have been reportedly borrowed from the Islamic jurisprudence. Indeed, these are the precious jewels of guidance from the Holy Quran. If one follows them diligently, one is sure to benefit in this world and the hereafter.

…wala taqtuloo anfusakum inna Allaha kana bikum raheema

“…and do not kill yourselves, surely God is most Merciful to you.

Al-Quran 4:29

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Works Cited

• Abdullah, Yusuf Ali. Holy Quran. Goodword Books, 2019.
• Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail, and Muhammad Muhsin. Khan. Sahih Al-Bukhari: the Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari: Arabic-English. Darussalam Pub. & Distr., 1997.

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Need Help?

Given below are details of some NGOs that are committed to the cause of mental health. They run counseling services and suicide prevention helplines.

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