kills himself when adversity descends upon him, as happens with some foolish people who, when constricted by hardship, choke themselves, cut their own throats, swallow poison, or similar acts. Such persons move from one torment to an even harsher one; they find no rest but—Allah’s refuge is sought—pass from suffering to something worse. Whoever takes his own life will be punished in the Fire of Hell with the very instrument he used to kill himself, remaining there forever and ever, as has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). If he ended his life with a piece of iron—a dagger, knife, nail, or the like—then on the Day of Resurrection he will be in Hell repeatedly stabbing himself with that same piece of iron. If he killed himself with poison, he will go on sipping it in Hell; and if he hurled himself from a mountain, a mountain will be erected for him in Hell from which he will keep throwing himself for all eternity—and so on.

Thus I say: if the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a person to wish for death because of the harm that has come upon him, it is far more serious for him to kill himself and rush—of his own accord—to stand before Allah with his soul. We ask Allah for well-being.

Moreover, whenever the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited something, his custom—whenever a lawful alternative existed—was to point out that permissible substitute, just as the Quran does. Allah the Exalted says, “O you who believe, do not say raʿinā, but say unẓurnā” (al-Baqarah 104). When He forbade the word raʿinā, He clarified its lawful replacement and said, “and say unẓurnā.” Likewise, when choice dates were brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he expressed disapproval and said, “What…"