Suicide: Is It Permissible to Commit Suicide for Allah’s Cause

By Aliyu Isah Muhammad (University Of Abuja)

The prohibition of the unlawful killing of souls in the Sharia came in its ultimate strata. This could be seen in the use of the word “Nafs – soul” and not “man or human” by Allah in the Qur’an; Q(5:32) while telling us the value of a human soul, and the lesson from the above verse is that Allah is referring to all souls including oneself. 

However, in specific, Allah (swt) says:

“And spend in the course of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction, and do good deeds. Truly Allah loves Al-Mshsinun (the good doers)” Q(2:195).

From the above verse, the ‘Ulama have commented on the phrase “Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your hands” to mean amongst others, doing anything you know that is capable of causing harm to you. Now is there any harm that one could cause to himself beyond committing suicide.

Also Read: 4 Powerful Duas (prayers) to Overcome Depression & Sadness

In Suratun-Nisa, Allah says:

“O you who believe, eat not up your property amongst yourselves unjustly except it be a trade among you by the mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves; surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you” Q(4:2).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who commits suicide by throtting, shall keep on throtting himself in hell and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself, shall keep on stabbing himself in hell fire” (Bukhari vol.2 No 446)

The verse in suratul Nisa prohibits suicide with no exception to any situation and the punishment for that is hell contained in the verse that follows it Q(4:30) as well as the Hadiths of Prophet (peace be upon him).

It is on record that suicide is the major mode of operation used by terrorist. 70-75% of terrorist attacks across the globe are through suicide, an act that clearly contradicts the qualities of a Mujahid  because it is a rejection or denial of Qur’an verse and the disobedience to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (peace be upon him).

A mujahid is Al-muhsin, Al-muttaqi (the good doer and one that is conscious of Allah (swt), and anybody that has these qualities cannot disobey Allah (swt) and His Messenger (peace be upon him).