Every breath of a human, every moment of his or hers life in all Religious traditions, their teachings, their guidance, their viewpoints, their perspectives is worth more than a priceless gem. These breaths the human being takes in order to survive in life and the moments of life itself are like the pearls of a necklace. Just as a pearl will embellish the appearance of that neck that wears the necklace of pearls, in the same way the life of a individual is enhanced by that person who looks after the moments of his life. No Treasure trove of any Ruler, no Sultanate of any Sultan, no Kingdom of any King, no Rulership of any Queen in tantamount is equal in value to one moment of an individuals life. Life in-fact in numerous places of the Quraan, either directly or indirectly, is described by Allah as a favour on human beings.
In one verse of the Quraan, Allah says,
" How can you disbelieve? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return." (Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 28)
Life in many people’s opinion is a journey. Some even sees it as a pilgrimage. In the Islamic perspective it is a journey far beyond death. It is like a trip around the world. We stop in many different Continents, Countries, Cities, Towns and Villages. Some bring happiness and some give us grief. The white beaches, beautiful rain forests, buildings etc would force a smile on the face of many a person regardless of what grief he is in, but the sight of the poor, war-stricken and weak will give one intense grief. Life is a test from Allah, He tests people in various ways and times. He tests some by blessing them with countless bounties to see if the servant appreciates what he has been blessed with by Allah and he shows gratitude towards Allah for blessing him with these bounties. At times Allah in his infinite wisdom, puts a person in intense grief, to see if the servant turns to Allah and seeks guidance and help.
Excellent examples of both situations are found in the life and story of the Prophet of Allah, Ayyub (AS). Allah granted him many bounties, then he gave him such illness that the people around him could not bear. Prophet Ayyub (AS) turned to Allah for help and Allah in his infinite mercy returned all the past bounties upon him. In some narrations it has been said that Allah gave him more bounties than the amount he had before his illness. In a surah of the Quraan Allah says regarding Prophet Ayyub (AS):"And remember Our slave Ayyub (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying):"Verily Satan has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)! (Allah said to him): "Strike the ground with your foot: This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink". And We gave him back his family, and along with them the like thereof, as a Mercy from Us, and a Reminder for those who understand."And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Truly, We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft- returning in repentance (to Us).
Like Prophet Ayyub, each and every one of us is tested by Allah in someway or another. Some turn to Allah and seek help, as in the case of Prophet Ayyub and others turn completely to the opposite side, which leaves many in grief. These people upon whom many grieve and mourn are the people who have turned to suicide.
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The acting chief financial officer of Freddie Mac has been found dead in an apparent suicide, according to local media. Washington's WUSA-TV and WTOP Radio reported that David Kellermann was found dead in his Northern Virginia home Wednesday morning....
These are the news I woke up to this morning. This is the 3rd suicide in the MD-DC-VA region in a matter of days. On Friday, a family of 5 was found dead in Fredericks , MD in what was a murder suicide. Notes were found describing the financial hardships the family was going through. Last Sunday, another family of 4 was found dead in Towson, MD in a hotel room. Again, murder suicide and the cause was thought to be economic hardship. Since the fall of the sub prime markets,the deterioration of our banking systems,the loss of jobs, suicide rates have been skyrocketing. Which begs the question, are poor people mentally stronger than rich people? Are poor people so used to their daily struggles that they accept the way things are. Is it a question of faith? Is faith related to our economic circumstances? Do poor people have more faith than rich people? Is it that simple.... The average person looks for happiness in what this world can deliver. The basic problem is, that this world doesn't have anything, which satisfies the basic foundational spiritual needs of a human. All people are average people, regardless of the amount of material wealth they manage to acquire. And, if they look to their monetary worth as a means of gauging their own ultimate worth, eventually their entire spiritual economy fails, and they jump out the window to try and escape the glaring disappointment, which reality thrusts upon them. In any case, have you ever thought of suicide? Is there any situation that would bring you to take your life away? I wonder if I'd ever have the courage or cowardice to take my life. What thoughts go in a mind of someone as they're taking their life away? Do they think that everything ends with this world? ......
When a person commits suicide, he/she practically declares that he/she does not believe that God knows about his/her sufferings, and if God has knowledge of his/her sufferings,He does not care enough to relieve him/her of these sufferings.
This is why suicide is strictly forbidden in Islam, because it is an affront to God. It is like a person saying to God: “You have given me life and I am taking it away.” This is what is meant by the Hadith in which God is quoted as saying of the one who commits suicide: ''My servant has precipitated My will with regard to himself! Therefore, I am forbidding him entry into heaven''.
If one is thinking of committing suicide he should think about his friends and family, then he should turn to Allah and ask for his help. There is always a way! Do not disregard the life that was given to you. It is a gift and a blessing!
"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance."
