"Whoever throws himself, he will be in the Fire of Hell, throwing himself down forever and ever. And whoever kills himself with a piece of iron"- then I missed something ( one of the narrators) Khalid said-"will have his piece of iron in his hand, stabbing himself in the stomach in the Fire of Hell, forever and ever."
Exposition of the Hadith on Suicide
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i (1965) addresses the grave sin of suicide, wherein the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sternly warned against self-destruction. The hadith employs vivid imagery to depict the eternal punishment awaiting one who commits such an act, emphasizing that the very means used for suicide will become an instrument of perpetual torment in the Hereafter.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this hadith underscores the sanctity of life bestowed by Allah. Taking one's own life constitutes a major transgression, as it represents a rejection of divine decree and a usurpation of Allah's exclusive right to give and take life. The eternal nature of the punishment mentioned serves as a severe deterrent.
Imam an-Nawawi comments that such descriptions of punishment are meant to emphasize the gravity of the sin, not necessarily to specify the exact nature of the afterlife punishment. The "forever and ever" repetition intensifies the warning against this heinous act.
Legal and Theological Implications
Islamic jurisprudence unanimously considers suicide unlawful (haram). The one who commits suicide is denied regular funeral prayers in some schools of thought, though there is scholarly difference on this matter. What remains agreed upon is the major sin status of suicide.
Theological consensus holds that ultimate judgment rests with Allah, who may forgive any sin except shirk (associating partners with Allah). Muslims are instructed to never despair of Allah's mercy, even for those who have committed this grave act.
Contemporary Relevance
This teaching highlights Islam's comprehensive approach to mental and spiritual health. Muslims are encouraged to seek help during times of distress through prayer, community support, and professional assistance rather than resorting to desperate measures.
The preservation of life is among the primary objectives of Islamic law (maqasid ash-shari'ah), and this hadith serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal consequences of violating this fundamental principle.