Question: Is it permissible to ask Allah to take your life? I am an 18-year-old Muslim. The immense amount of uncertainty in my life, plus the numerous parental fights I’ve been witnessing my whole life is making me consider suicide as an option. I have thought about the easiest way to commit suicide without causing anyone any inconvenience, and I think asking Allah to take my life is the easiest. I don’t have anything to live for. I constantly question how insanely more difficult my life is just going to become if I fail to go to a good university for an undergrad, an option which seems extremely unlikely.
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum,
Thank you for your question. I am very concerned about your question and I pray that you can understand that you are very much wanted and needed by everyone around you. If you have a plan to end your life, please seek professional help immediately and seek a therapist that can help you break out of this cycle of despair.
Suicide
The absolute best advice that I can give you is to read this article by Ustadh Anik Misra:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/ridding-oneself-of-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts/
Suicide seems like the way out, but it is not. It is not permissible to ask Allah to end your life, and leaving this world in a manner that is displeasing to Allah is the very thing that the Devil wants from you. You will be robbing yourself of a chance at a lifetime of good deeds, repentance, gratitude, family, maturity, love, closeness to your Lord, education, progress, improving yourself, and abundant worship. Muslims, on the other hand, look for a “good end“ and wait until their Lord has decreed to meet them. Suicide leaves your family in unimaginable pain, anger, and lets the Devil win. It truly is the worst possible option for any believer.
Life is full of problems
It is true that life is full of problems and that things are not easy. I understand that you are stressed out and hate to see your parents fight. I can understand that your fear of not getting into university and the uncertainty is blinding you. However, there is good in your life as well. You have a soul that is worth working for. You have a body that has yet to experience many joys and moments of happiness. You have people around that you love and more people to come who will be beloved to you. If I were to count the problems that you don’t have, they would be innumerable.
Most of all you have your Lord, who never abandons his servant. Allah, your Lord, your Creator, who was always there and always will be, loves you and rewards you for all your suffering and patience. He wants you to live and He wants you to be the best that you can be. Work and strive for Him, even if it seems everything else around you is falling apart, for He doesn’t change and sees and hears everything.
Du`as
One of the greatest means that is available to you is du`a. Allah the Exalted says, “Who [other than Allah] answers the distressed when they call upon Him? Who [other than Him] removes their suffering?” [Qur’an, 27:62] and, “Your Lord says, ‘Call on Me and I will answer you” [Qur’an, 40:60]. Make a daily habit of it and look forward to your time alone with Allah to pour your heart out to him.
I highly recommend praying Salat ul-Hajah, the Prayer of Need:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/how-does-one-perform-the-prayer-of-need-salat-al-haja/
Please say these du`as when you are feeling overwhelmed and trust that Allah will answer your du’a and is even answering your du’a right now without you knowing it:
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/selected-prophetic-prayers-for-spiritual-physical-and-emotional-wellbeing-by-chaplain-ibrahim-long/
Resources
Please see this video for Islamic meditation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFZbRuWFlg
Please see this video and link:
Why Are Those Who Commit Suicide Punishable in Islam …
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/doubts-difficulties-and-suicidal-thoughts/
Also, consider calling this free helpline where someone can always listen to you:
Naseeha Toll-free Helpline at 1 866 627 3342.
May Allah help you break out of this thought cycle and give you the very best in everything you do in this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.