In our present era, at the heart of a world filled with contradictions and psychological pressures, a phenomenon shakes the very foundations of societies and threatens their stability—suicide!
That word represents the tragic end to the stories of individuals whose souls were exhausted by pain and despair, finding no escape but in fleeing from life.

Rejoice! For the modern age has come to you with its resounding terms, and under the banners of individual freedom and the pursuit of happiness, human souls are sold in the auctions of psychological pressure and chronic depression. All this takes place in a world that prioritizes materialism over spirituality and glorifies individualism at the expense of social bonds.

A Psychological and Social Tragedy

Recent statistics indicate a rise in global suicide rates, especially among the youth. The reasons vary from psychological pressures resulting from childhood traumas, to academic or professional failures, and even to social isolation and severe depression. In this digital world, relationships have become virtual and emotions distorted, leaving some trapped in a whirlpool of loneliness despite the crowd of virtual friends.

But beyond the cold numbers and abstract psychological explanations, can we ignore the reality of the absence of meaning and purpose in the lives of those who have chosen this tragic fate?

In this context, Professor of Psychology at the University of Geneva, Olfa Mandhouj, states: "Religion influences people's behaviors, beliefs, and experiences with pain and illness. It also gives people meaning and the ability to deal with psychological problems." She highlights the importance of religion in the therapeutic process for those with suicidal thoughts, saying: "In cases where suicide is contemplated, religion should be part of the treatment because it addresses moral issues and visions of the afterlife. It also provides individuals with meaning, hope, and purpose in life, countering the feelings of emptiness, loss, and lack of meaning that most suicidal individuals suffer from."

The Islamic Perspective

Here, the beauty of the Islamic perspective on the meaning and purpose of existence becomes evident. Islam grants individuals a sense of purpose in life and reminds them that trials are part of the universal laws, and that patience is the key to relief. "And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful." (An-Nisa: 29). The divine prohibition against taking one's own life goes beyond being merely a legal ruling; it expresses Allah's care for His servants and emphasizes the value of human life.

While psychologists and sociologists strive to offer preventive and therapeutic solutions to this phenomenon, Islam has long presented an integrated system for safeguarding the self from psychological collapse by building a balanced personality capable of facing trials and hardships. This was confirmed by the French sociologist Émile Durkheim, who pointed out the rarity of suicide cases in Islamic societies in the past due to Muslims' belief that death only occurs by Allah’s will. Durkheim stated: "The virtue that surpasses all other virtues in the Islamic conception is absolute submission to the divine will, and the willing surrender that makes a person patient with all that befalls him."

Is It a Failure to Deal with Crises?
If we examine the stories of those who have committed suicide, we find that many were victims of the inability of those around them to understand their suffering. The silence of pain kills more than the pain itself. Unfortunately, some harsh social environments contribute to pushing individuals towards the brink by belittling emotions and considering discussions about psychological crises as weakness.

In this regard, Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, Alex Lickerman, says: "Sometimes, when a person hints at suicide, they do not actually want to kill themselves but are doing so as a cry for help or a plea for assistance." Experts recommend the importance of educating family members and close friends about the nature of suicidal thoughts and not dismissing them as mere attention-seeking. The American Psychological Association also emphasizes the need to raise awareness that psychological disorders are real illnesses requiring treatment plans and close follow-ups with psychiatrists.

Returning to the Origin

The solution lies in returning to the natural disposition (fitrah), not in offering temporary painkillers or hollow advice, but by reconnecting individuals with their faith and integrating them into a community that surrounds them with support and compassion instead of criticism and reproach. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever." (Narrated by Muslim).

A true believer does not leave his brother floundering in the darkness of sorrow without extending a helping hand. Undoubtedly, promoting a culture of compassion and psychological and social support in Islamic societies is the key to preventing this painful phenomenon.

Confronting the phenomenon of suicide requires genuine cooperation—not only through therapeutic or preventive programs but also through a return to the Islamic value system that provides individuals with the spiritual strength to hold on to life despite hardships. Life, with all its pains, remains a blessing from Allah, and we must learn how to cherish and protect it.

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Resources:
1- Alukah Website
2- Al Jazeera Net
3- Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas
4- Khutabaa Forum Website