Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum,

I have a question that was previously asked by one of our sisters, the answer to this was however unclear to me! Regarding suicide! We know that one`s time of death is decreed by the Almighty, when someone commits suicide is his time of death put out for him?. My husband committed suicide at the age of 32 and I cannot come to terms with this.

We have 3 small children, what I can`t understand is why the Almighty would take him away at a time in their lives when they really need him.

Plse clarify this for me and help me to accept what had happened.

Assalamu Alaikum!

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Answer:

Suicide and time of death

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Regarding suicide! We know that one`s time of death is decreed by the Almighty, when someone commits suicide is his time of death put out for him?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 63 Surah Munafeqoon verse 11: But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come: and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraf: To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached not an hour can they cause delay nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 145: Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave; the term being fixed as by writing.

Islam guides that life does not belong to us, but rather it is given as a trust to each human being. Neither is a human being allowed to take the life of another human without just cause, nor is one permitted in Islam to take one’s own life; both would be considered grave sins in the sight of Allah Subhanah.

The time of death for each and every soul is determined and Decreed by Allah Subhanah, and no one can die except with the Precise Permission and Will of the Lord All Mighty. How many a people try to take their own lives, but are not successful; and how many a people try to save their lives, and they are not successful?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions; and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended."

Indeed, the time and place of death of each individual is Decreed by Allah Subhanah! But when a person commits suicide, he will not be held accountable for dieing on a particular day or a particular place, but he will surely be held accountable for intending, and fulfilling his intention to take his own life! If one commits any other sin (shirk, murder, zina, etc.), he has the opportunity to turn back to Allah Subhanah and seek His Forgiveness and Pardon because the door of Taubah is open until the time of one’s death; but when one commits suicide and takes his own life, he cannot even seek repentance as the door of Taubah is closed permanently with his death!

Your Question: what I can`t understand is why the Almighty would take him away at a time in their lives when they really need him.

Allah says in the Holy Quran in Chapter 67 Surah Al Mulk verse 2: He (Allah) created death and life that He may test you, to see which of you is the best in deeds.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chaper 21 Surah Anbiya verse 35: Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial: to Us must ye return.

Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, Allah Subhanah has bestowed this period of one lifetime upon us as a test, to see what this creation of His, who has been bestowed with intelligence and free will, do when in circumstances of good and situations of evil. Does one who is bestowed with good be grateful to his Lord for His Bounties and Grace, or does he become arrogant and proud; and does the one upon whom evil befalls as a trial from his Lord be patient and keep his full trust in His Lord, or does he become impatient and bitter and resents the Decree of His Lord and Creator!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 155-157:

155 Be sure We shall test you with something of fear, and hunger, some loss in goods, or lives, or the fruits (of your toil); but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.

156 Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."

157 They are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.

Each person’s test is determined and Decreed by Allah Subhanah Alone, and none except Him has even an iota of control or influence over His Decrees and Commands. The death of your husband is no more than a trial for you and your children and your near relatives; and what they do during their this severe trial from their Lord will determine their grades of success or failure. Do they show impatience and resent and accuse their Lord of injustice and wrongdoing towards them, or do they show patience, and accept their condition as a trial from their Lord, keeping their full Trust and Belief in His Decree and His Command? Their actions during their trial will determine whether they pass the test Decreed for them from their Lord, or fail it!

One has absolutely no control over what trials befall them, but one definitely has full control over how they accept and react when they are afflicted by a trial from their Lord, and their reaction is precisely what will determine the result of their test. Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, the believers are guided by Allah and His Messenger (saws) in Islam to accept and display patience and perseverance when they are afflicted by any calamity, and keep their full trust and belief in their Lord Most Merciful to Whom is their ultimate return.

May Allah Subhanah give you and your family the courage and the wisdom to recognize His trials, and guide you and your family to do and say only what is Pleasing to your Lord. May The Lord Most Merciful make your trial easy for you, and provide for you and your family from His Infinite and Unending Bounty and Grace. May the Lord Most Gracious fill your hearts with patience and give you the blessings of perseverance, and reward you with the most generous and gracious rewards in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan