Contemplating suicide due to sexual abuse

Q: If a boy was sexually abused in his childhood and is now an adult, can he attempt suicide? What does Islam say in this regard?

A: If he was sexually abused in his childhood, then he will not be answerable for the wrong that was done to him. However, the person who committed the major sin with him will be taken to task. There is no reason for him to feel guilty for what had occurred in his childhood as he was oppressed. Suicide is a major sin and severe warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for the one who perpetrates this grave sin. He should understand that committing this major sin is not a solution for removing the grief of what was done to him as one wrong cannot justify another wrong. It is reported in the Hadith that if one takes his life through committing suicide, then until Allah Ta'ala does not forgive him, he will be punished in the fire of jahannum by continuously inflicting the same pain upon himself that was experienced at the time of committing suicide.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

عن الحسن جندب رضي الله عنه في هذا المسجد فما نسينا وما نخاف أن يكذب جندب على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال كان برجل جراح فقتل نفسه فقال الله بدرني عبدي بنفسه حرمت عليه الجنة (صحيح البخاري #1364)

عن ابي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عيله وسلم قال من قتل نفسه بحديدة فحديدته في يده يتوجأ بها في بطنه في نار جهنم خالدا مخلدا فيها أبدا ومن قتل نفسه بسم فسمه في يده يتحساه في نار جهنم خالدا مخلدا فيها أبدا ومن تردى من جبل فقتل نفسه فهو يتردى في نهار جهنم خالدا مخلدا فيها أبدا (جامع الترمذي#2044)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)