First published on: Suicidal? Pass This Along


  Hajar Muhammad

Sometimes, one finds himself desperate that he has this great urge to commit suicide. Actually this is the reason why a wide range tends to commit suicide, just to put their grievous pain and suffer to an end. They really think the other life they will live is way better than that they have suffered, but is it true?

Worldwide suicide rates

The previous figure illustrates the latest suicide rates released by WHO (World Health Organization)on 2015. It is clearly noticed that the lowest suicide rates  are located in the Arab Islamic countries while the highest exist in Non-muslim countries, specially the previous common-wealth and far-east countries.

Muslims Vs. non-Muslims

You might be surprised of that result particularly after noticing that the countries suffering high suicide rates are rich countries, and those enjoying low suicide rates are relatively poor ones.

On the contrary, this is not surprising at all, the most significant and number one reason for suicide is depression.

People who suffer depression are most likely to commit suicide, but the question is:

Why Muslims are less subject to depression?

To answer that question, we need to know what the causes of depression are:

The major cause of depression I have noticed is emotional. Depressed people couldn’t cope with their feeling of negligence, pain, loss, or abuse. The materialism they live fiercely clashes with their nature as humans. Muslims know very well that any pain whether physical or emotional is an asset, yes, a value added to their lives and in the hereafter.

Any pain that befalls a Muslim is a source of purification from sins and an upgrade to one’s degree, one understands this very well, and this – in turn – provides a source of power and strength to a Muslim.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said;

How wonderful is the affair of a believer; verily, his entire affair is good for him and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is good for him”. [Sunnah.com]

This Hadith (i.e Prophet’s Quote) expresses that any sort of adversity befalls a believer includes a blessings therewith; for his patience and acceptance to this adversity seeking the reward from Allah will surely benefit him during his life and in the hereafter. Moreover, knowing that this life we lead is not our eternal abode surely decreases the intensity of any pain.

In addition, Muslims are quite certain that suicide is one of the sins that could prevent one from entering Jannah (paradise).

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) 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 Servant hurried to bring death upon himself so I have forbidden him (to enter) Jannah (Paradise).” [Sunnah.com]

In Islam, one has no right to kill himself for a harm that befalls him, but instead he should be patient and surrender to Allah’s Will and Disposition.

Muslims know that very well, therefore, they face their adversities with a peaceful submissive heart. They are certain that their pain, grief, and suffering will be generously rewarded whenever they attain submissiveness and patience, not to mention the inner peace they tend to experience in the middle of their affliction, it is really amazing.

You will never find such wonderful morals but in Islam, since it is the religion of truth, therefore, all feelings of submissiveness, peacefulness, and certitude are also true.