💔 Understanding Qatlu Nafsi-hi (قتل نفسه‎): The Islamic Stance on Suicide

Understanding Qatlu Nafsi-hi (قتل نفسه‎): The Islamic Stance on Suicide 💔

Definition

Qatlu nafsi-hi (قتل نفسه‎) translates to “killing oneself” in Arabic, denoting the act of suicide. This term encompasses the intentional act of ending one’s own life.

Etymology

• “Qatlu” (قتل): This root word means “to kill” or “to cause death.”
• “Nafsi-hi” (نفسه): Derived from “nafs” which translates to “self” or “soul,” with the suffix “-hi” indicating possession, meaning “his own.”

Background

Islamic texts don’t mention suicide explicitly in the Qurʾān, but significant teachings regarding suicide are found in Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The importance placed on the sanctity of life is profound in Islamic theology, where even considering ending one’s own life violates the principles set forth by Allah.

Cultural Context

Various Muslim-majority countries may treat suicides with differing levels of severity and practices regarding funeral rites, interpreting the Hadith in ways that accommodate cultural sensitivities.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: Self-destruction, self-murder, self-slaughter
• Antonyms: Preservation, sustenance, survival

Related Terms

• Tawakkul (توكل): Reliance on God
• Sabr (صبر): Patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties
• Iḥtiyār (اختيار): Free will or choice

Exciting Facts

1. Variation in Funeral Rites: Despite the Prophet Muhammad’s refusal to perform funeral rites for suicides, most contemporary Muslim communities conduct the full Islamic funeral rites.
2. Classical and Modern Responses: Prominent Islamic scholars like Al-Ghazali and contemporary figures approach the subject both from legalistic and compassionate perspectives.
3. Mental Health Awareness: Increasing acknowledgment of mental health issues is pushing for compassionate treatments of those who commit or contemplate suicide.

Quotations from Notable Writers

• Hadith: “Whoever purposefully throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever…” - Sahih Bukhari, hadith 5778.
• Quranic Verse: “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” - Surah An-Nisa (4:29)

Suggested Literature

• Reviving the Islamic Spirit: Addressing Contemporary Issues by Tariq Ramadan
• Interpreting Islam by Abdullah Saeed
• Ethics and Spirituality in Islam by Sayyed Hossein Nasr

References

• Sahih Bukhari, Arabic Edition.
• Sunan Abu Dawood, Arabic Edition.
• Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World

Engaging Titles for Further Reading 📚

1. “The Sacredness of Life: Islamic Prohibitions against Suicide” 📜
2. “Between Despair and Hope: An Islamic Ethics Discussion on Suicide” 💭
3. “The Forgotten Virtues: Patience and Reliance on Divine Will” 💪
4. “Psychological Distress vs. Religious Duty: Navigating Mental Health in Islam” 🧠

Farewell thought: May the divine guidance cherished in scriptural wisdom instill in us patience, resilience, and profound respect for the sanctity of life. 🌟

• Tariq Al-Hassan, October 2023.