Muslims believe that Allah lets Shaytan corrupt and tempt people into committing evil (this is because Allah continuously tests people to remind them that to keep their faith); however He only lets Shaytan tempt/test people as much as they can bear- it is up to them to the human to decide whether they keep their faith. Therefore Muslims believe that Shaytan tempts humans into committing suicide, which Muslims should avoid doing.
“How can ye reject the faith in Allah? – seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to him will return.”
(The Quran)
Zulm is the term used in Islam to describe wrongdoing against Allah, against the Ummah (community), and against yourself. Euthanasia and suicide are considered to be Zulm in two ways: it is not submitting to Allah’s will by not allowing life to run its natural course; and because it causes suffering to other human beings (for example, the family who are left behind when the person performs the euthanasia/suicide).
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing”
(The Quran)
Muslims believe that Allah is responsible for even the minutest details of human life, and knows everything in the greatest detail; this is called Al-Qadr. This teaches Muslims that Allah has already decided how long everyone is to live therefore committing suicide or euthanasia is against Allah’s decision. It also teaches that Allah’s plan might involve suffering – good things may come out of this. For example some people may change their own behaviour and try to become a better person when they see someone else suffer. Also a woman is in a lot of pain when giving birth, but then is blessed with a child. This is shown in this quote:
“And verily the hereafter will be better for thee than the present”
(The Quran)
Muslims believe that Allah has given all humans free-will so they can choose whether to keep their Iman (faith) while they suffer. Muslims believe that God is omnibenevolent (all loving) and merciful, and does not give us more pain than we can bear. This is shown in the Sunnah- Muhammad lived his whole childhood in suffering, due to the untimely deaths of his family members, but he did not take his life. Allah also wants people to follow the right path, but do so willingly because they love and want to obey Allah, not because they are forced to, and he wants us to choose how we act and respond to each challenge. Furthermore, Muslims believe that if we deliberately choose to act against our consciences and do evil instead of good, it’s our own fault and we have to pay the penalty. Therefore if Muslims do commit euthanasia or suicide, they will have to pay the price.
“One burdened soul shall not bear the burden of another. And even if the heavy-laden (soul) should cry out for its burden (to be carried out) not one bit of it shall be carried, not even by the next of kin.”
(The Quran)
This means that Euthanasia is wrong in Islam because it is putting their ‘burden’ onto someone else’s shoulders. Its states that even if the person is in blind pain, he should not pass it on to another person’s shoulders, even if it is members of their own family.
“Whoever commits suicide with something will be punished with the same thing in the (hell) fire”
(Hadith)
Voluntary Euthanasia is when a person, who is terminally ill, can decide to end their life due to the unbearable pain of their illness. Many Muslims would regard voluntary euthanasia as suicide. Suicide is condemned in Islam. Muhammad expressed this belief very clearly with the quote above. Many Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah) voluntary euthanasia will cause a persons soul to be treated in the same way as if they had committed suicide. A person who has committed suicide will relive the pain, received during suicide, again and again in Jahannam (hell). People who go against Allah will go to Jahannam, but as Allah is all-forgiving, people can reach Jahannah (heaven) eventually after paying off their sins in Jahannam.
“When the trumpet is blown, there will be no relationships between them that day, nor will they ask after another”
(The Quran)
When a Muslim dies they would be buried because Muslims believe in Akhirah (life after death). For those who die before judgement day, Muslims believe that their souls will be taken by the angel Azra’il (angel of death) into a state of waiting called barzakh. On judgment day a trumpet is believe to be sound, a blinding light appears, the sky will be cut through and all the content of tombs and graves will come to life and everyone will wait to be judged. Those who have lead a good life serving Allah will be rewarded with Jahannah (heaven- eternal bliss), and those who have defied Allah and his creation will be punished and sent to Jahannam (hell). People who commit suicide will have to relive the pain they suffered in Jahannam.
"And do not kill yourselves; surely Allah is most Merciful to you."
(The Quran)
Muslims should care for those who are ill. Instead of putting their ill relatives in hospices/nursing homes, Muslims would take care of them at home as it is considered to be far more important, sacred, creative and rewarding then any place ‘outside’. If someone commits suicide the family and the Ummah have failed because it is their duty to take care of everyone within the Ummah. So if the Ummah were doing their duty properly, the person would not have committed suicide.
Some Muslims may argue that passive euthanasia (where treatment is withdrawn to let nature take its course) is acceptable in Islam because they believe that it is Allah’s will whether the person shall live or not. Muslims would use the word Inshallah (if Allah is willing) as he is omnipotent.
Euthanasia and suicide are haram in Islam because it is against Allah’s will. If you commit any of these sins, it is believed that you will spend eternity in Jahannam reliving the pain over and over. It is considered to be Zulm, the ultimate sin. Although some Muslims may argue that passive euthanasia is acceptable.
