FAQ about Islām and Muslims
Terrorism & Suicide
Question: What is the ruling regarding acts of jihaad by means of suicide, such as attaching explosives to a car and storming the enemy, whereby he knows without a doubt that he shall die as a result of this action?
Response: Indeed, my opinion is that he is regarded as one who has killed himself (committed suicide), and as a result he shall be punished in Hell, for that which is authenticated on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ
Indeed, whoever (intentionally) kills himself, then certainly he will be punished in the Fire of Hell, wherein he shall dwell forever, [Bukhari (5778) and Muslim (109 and 110)].
However, one who is ignorant and does not know, and assumes his action was good and pleasing to Allāh (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala), then we hope Allāh (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) forgives him for that which he did out of (ignorance) ijtihaad, even though I do not find any excuse for him in the present day. This is because this type of suicide is well known and widespread amongst the people, so it is upon the person to ask the people of knowledge (scholars) regarding it, until the right guidance for him is differentiated from the error.
And from that which is surprising, is that these people kill themselves despite Allāh having forbidden this, as He (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) says:
“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allāh is Most Merciful to you”
[Soorah an-Nisaa., Aayah 29].
And many amongst them do not desire anything except revenge of the enemy, by whatever means, be it halaal or haraam. So they only want to satisfy their thirst for revenge. We ask Allāh to bless us with foresight in His Deen and action(s) which please Him, indeed He is all Powerful over all things.
Committing suicide
Question: What is the ruling regarding suicide in Islām?
Response: Suicide is when a person kills himself intentionally by whatever means. This is prohibited and regarded as amongst the major sins, and likewise included in the general statement of Allāh (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala):
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allāh are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him”,
[Soorah an-Nisaa, Aayah 93].
And it is established from the Sunnah on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ who said:
Indeed, whoever (intentionally) kills himself, then certainly he will be punished in the Fire of Hell, wherein he shall dwell forever, [Bukhari (5778) and Muslim (109 and 110)].
In reality, the one who commits suicide, generally does so because of his desperate situation, either as a direct result of an act of Allāh or a human being. So you find him unable to cope with that which has afflicted him, and in actual fact he is like one who is calling for help from the scorching heat of the fire. So he has progressed from that which was tough (bad) to that which is worse. And if he was patient, then Allāh would have assisted him in dealing with the difficulty.