The Ruling on the Funeral Prayer (Janazah) of a Person Who Commits Suicide in the Light of Hanafi Fiqh
**"The Ruling on the Funeral Prayer (Janazah) of a Person Who Commits Suicide in the Light of Hanafi Fiqh"**
This article includes detailed explanation, authentic references, and scholarly perspectives.
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# **The Ruling on the Funeral Prayer (Janazah) of a Person Who Commits Suicide in the Light of Hanafi Fiqh**
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## **Introduction**
Islam holds the sanctity of life in the highest regard. Taking one’s own life—commonly known as suicide—is considered one of the **major sins** in Islam. However, a significant theological and legal issue arises: **Is the funeral prayer (janazah) for a person who commits suicide permissible in Islamic law? **
This article will explore the answer based on the principles and rulings of **Hanafi Fiqh**, supported by **Qur'anic verses**, **Hadith**, and **classical juristic sources**.
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## **Part 1: The Islamic View on Suicide**
Islam categorically prohibits suicide. Human life is a trust from Allah (SWT), and no one has the authority to end it—neither of another nor of oneself.
### **Qur’anic Injunctions:**
> **"And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is Most Merciful to you." **
> *(Surah An-Nisa, 4:29)*
> **"And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands." **
> *(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:195)*
### The Hadith (prophetic tradition): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned severely against suicide:
> **“Whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, he will be carrying it in his hand and stabbing himself in the belly with it in the Hellfire forever.” **
> *(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5778; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 109)*
> **“Whoever jumps off a mountain and kills himself, he will be falling in the Hellfire forever…”**
> *(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 109)*
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## **Part 2: Is the One Who Commits Suicide Still a Muslim? **
Scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah maintain that suicide does not disqualify a person from Islam, provided that the individual did not deny the prohibition or any fundamental belief of Islam. ### **Position of the Hanafi School:**
In **Hanafi Fiqh**, committing suicide is considered a **major sin**, but not an act of disbelief (kufr). Therefore, the person remains a Muslim and is subject to the same rulings as other Muslims regarding:
Salat al-Janazah, or funeral prayer, * **Burial in a Muslim graveyard**
* Forgiveness and dua ---
## **Part 3: Ruling on Funeral Prayer for One Who Commits Suicide**
### **General Ruling in Hanafi Fiqh:**
It is **permissible and even necessary (fard kifayah)** to offer the funeral prayer for a Muslim who commits suicide.
### Traditional Hanafi Writings: 1. **Al-Durr al-Mukhtar (Imam Al-Haskafi):**
> **"Salat al-Janazah is offered for every Muslim who dies, including those who commit suicide, even if he was a sinner (fasiq). **
> *(Al-Durr al-Mukhtar, vol. 2, p. 209)*
2. Ibn'Abidin's Radd al-Muhtar: > Ibn ‘Abidin confirms that a suicide victim remains a Muslim and the funeral prayer should not be withheld.
> *(Radd al-Muhtar ‘ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar, vol. 2, p. 212–213)*
3. **Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah:**
> **"The one who kills himself will have his funeral prayer offered, as he is still a Muslim." **
> *(Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, vol. 1, Kitab al-Janazah)*
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## **Part 4: Precedent from the Sunnah**
Some reports suggest that the Prophet ﷺ **did not lead** the funeral prayer of a man who committed suicide. However, this does **not mean the prayer was not allowed**—rather, it was **to serve as a deterrent** and a **means of educating the community** about the gravity of the act.
### **Narration in Sahih Muslim:**
> **"A man who had fought alongside the Prophet committed suicide. The Prophet refrained from offering his janazah, but others did." **
> *(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 978)*
### **Explanation from Research:** * **Imam Al-Nawawi (Shafi'i jurist):**
"The Prophet did not offer the prayer himself, not because it was forbidden, but to teach people a lesson."
* **Imam Al-Sarakhsi (Hanafi):**
"It is recommended that prominent scholars and leaders abstain from offering the janazah prayer of a suicide victim so that people realize the severity of the sin."
*(Al-Mabsut, vol. 2, p. 62)*
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## **Poetic Reflection:**
> **"He gave up hope, though mercy was near,**
> **Let none judge, but weep with fear. **
> **His soul in pain, his heart in fight,**
> **Still Muslim in his final night." **
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## **Part 5: Mental Health and Legal Accountability**
Islamic law considers **intention, mental state, and capacity** in all legal rulings. The legal and theological rulings "may be mitigated" if a person was experiencing "severe depression," "mental illness," or "temporary insanity." ### **Hadith:**
> **“The pen is lifted from three: the sleeping person until he wakes, the child until he reaches puberty, and the insane person until he regains sanity.” **
> *(Abu Dawood, Hadith 4403)*
### Ibn Abidin, RA: > **“If a person commits suicide due to madness or lack of reason, then he is not sinful.” **
> (Radd al-Muhtar, vol. 2, page 213)*
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## "Contemporary Fatwas from Scholars of Hanafi" 1. **Darul Uloom Deoband (India):**
> "The one who commits suicide remains within the fold of Islam, and his janazah prayer is to be performed."
2. **Jamia Binoria, Karachi (Pakistan):**
> "It is fard kifayah to pray janazah for a Muslim suicide victim. However, senior scholars may abstain from participation."
3. **Darul Uloom Zakariyya (South Africa):**
> "Suicide is a major sin but does not nullify Islam. Funeral rites must be observed unless there is evidence of apostasy."
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## Common Perceptions Misunderstood by the Public Many people believe that:
* The funeral prayer is forbidden for a suicide victim.
* They cannot be buried in a Muslim graveyard.
* They are disbelievers.
These beliefs are **incorrect and un-Islamic**. As long as the person believed in **Tawheed (oneness of Allah)** and **finality of Prophethood**, he/she remains a Muslim.
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## **Balanced Public Response**
While suicide must be condemned and viewed as a sin, the victim's family must also receive compassion and support from the community. It is not permissible to:
* Humiliate the family
* Deny them communal support
* Treat the deceased as a non-Muslim
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## **Prevention and Spiritual Support**
Islam encourages believers to **never lose hope** in Allah's mercy:
> **“And do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, none despairs of the mercy of Allah except the disbelieving people.” **
> *(Surah Yusuf, 12:87)*
### Strategies for Avoiding Despair: 1. Dhikr and daily prayer 2. **Recitation of the Qur’an**
3. **Seeking professional counseling**
4. **Talking to scholars and trusted family members**
5. **Developing strong community support systems**
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## **Final Summary**
| Problem | Hanafi's Decision | | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Is suicide a sin? | Yes, it is a **major sin (kabira)** |
| Does the individual practice Islam? | Yes, unless he denies an essential tenet of Islam |
| Is Janazah prayer allowed? | It is, indeed, [Fard Kifayah] | | Are academics permitted to abstain? | Yes, **as a deterrent and public admonishment** |
| Can the body be interred in a Muslim cemetery? | Yes |
| Should family be ostracized? | No, they are deserving of love and support | ---
## **Poetry for Reflection**
> **"The burden was heavy, the night was long,**
> **The soul was weak, yet the faith was strong. **
> **He fell, but not from the faith he knew,**
> **Still one of us, in Allah’s view." **
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## **References**
1. Surah An-Nisa (4:29), Al-Baqarah (2:195), and Yusuf (12:87) are all from the Qur'an. 2. **Sahih Bukhari**, Hadith 5778
3. **Sahih Muslim**, Hadith 978, 109
4. **Sunan Abi Dawood**, Hadith 4403
5. **Al-Durr al-Mukhtar** – vol. 2, p. 209
6. **Radd al-Muhtar** – Ibn Abidin – vol. 2, pp. 212–213
7. **Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah** – vol. 1, the Janazah Kitab 8. **Al-Mabsut (Imam Sarakhsi)** – vol. 2, p. 62
9. **Fatawa from Darul Uloom Deoband, Binoria Town, Zakariyya**
10. **Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim** – Imam Nawawi
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## **Conclusion**
Suicide is indeed a grave sin in Islam, but it **does not remove a person from the fold of Islam**. The **Hanafi scholars** are unanimous that funeral rites **must be performed** for a Muslim who commits suicide. As a community, we must balance between **condemning the act**, showing **mercy toward the deceased**, and offering **compassion to the grieving family**.
May Allah protect us and our loved ones from despair, and grant sabr and peace to all who suffer silently. Ameen.
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