Death is a natural thing that comes from Allah and everybody is going to taste it. "Every soul will taste of death. In the end you will be brought back to Us" (Qur'an 29 verse 57). When death is self-inflicted, it is termed SUICIDE. Suicide is strongly condemned in Islam and anyone who commits this heinous crime will be deprived of the mercy of Allah and will not enter the Garden of Paradise.

Suicide rates have increased worldwide. It is becoming so alarming and wide spread that it begs the question; why would anyone want to take his own life? Suicide stems from a false sense of values and a tendency towards hedonistic accomplishments. The death of a loved one, the loss of livelihood, or the end of a relationship signifies the loss of all. The immediate consequences of this are insecurity, despair and depression. In an attempt to find a way out of their problems, the search for happiness and a quick-fix solution can lead to alcohol and drug use. This thickens the fog of depression and in desperation they see death as a way of escape. Hopeless, helpless and dejected is the state of mind of the man who seeks to remove himself forcibly from this world. The Prophet said: "Whoever allows this world to be his greatest concern has nothing to do with Allah and Allah will instil the following qualities in to him: "Business which he’ll never be free from, poverty which he’ll never get rid off and hope which he’ll never fulfil".

For a Muslim, suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of such are all signs of a dead heart and weak Iman. The one who kills himself in order to escape calamities or poverty or as a result of distress or anger has by doing so exposed himself to the punishment of Allah, "And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another)…And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the fire…." (Qur'an 4 verse 29)

Tests and trials are part of our existence, "And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits but give glad tidings to As-sabirun (the patient), who when afflicted with calamity say: Truly! To Allah we belong and truly to him we shall return…." (Qur'an 2 verses 154-157) There is no doubt that when trials come along, they can be overwhelming and the tendency is to lose the ability to look unto the future and focus. But Allah has promised us that, "…truly, after every difficulty, there is ease." (Qur'an 94 verse 5) Success, happiness and peace of mind come from total submission and obedience to Allah - the heart is filled with comfort, security, assurances, hope and contentment "And to your Lord (alone) turn all your intentions and hopes." (Qur'an 94 verse 8)

One who commits suicide will find no release, "He who throws himself down from a rock, and commits suicide, will be throwing himself into the fire of Hell; He who drinks poison and kills himself will have the poison in his hands drinking it forever in the fire of Hell; And he who kills himself with a weapon, will have that weapon in his hand, stabbing himself for ever in the Fire of Hell." (Bukhari and Muslim)