What is suicide? Is it a sin or a crime, or none? If anyone else has a difference of opinion on this, Islam and Muslims have never had any disagreement that it is forbidden (Haram), its commission is a grave sin, and this evil act takes a person to Hell (Jahannam) forever. But it is also a bitter truth that in different periods of history, this cowardice has been linked to the name of Islam, and groups have periodically emerged who dared to justify this evil deed in the name of Islam and mislead people.
During past few months, some news channels were broadcasting a video in which a person named Dr. Umar Nabi allegedly claims, in relation to the Delhi bombing of November 10, 2025, that what the world, considers a suicide attack is, in fact, “Martyrdom (Shahadat)” according to him. He further gives the impression that such actions are religiously permissible, part of the Islamic tradition, and acts of self-sacrifice (Istishhadi Ammal).
The tales of Ibn Sabbah and his Fedayeen (self-sacrificers) are very famous in the history of medieval Baghdad. He had constructed a paradise in his fortress located among the mountains. Whoever he admitted into his group, he would give them hashish (intoxicating substance) and show them his paradise, where there were rivers of milk and honey, gardens, palaces, and “Hoor” (celestial maidens) . Then, to attain this paradise, they would carry out suicide operations according to Ibn Sabbah’s instructions. History bears witness to the terrible prices Islam and Muslims had to pay for this curse.
The life of the great scholar, genius thinker, era-defining administrator, and Grand Vazeer Nizam ul Mulk Abul Hasan Ali Tusi, who gave the world the concept of a formalized education system and introduced the first education system in the form of Madrasa in Baghdad (Iraq) and Nishapur, (Iran) was killed by the dagger of a wretch from this very group. Whether a person only takes their own life or commits a suicide attack, suicide is a double-edged dagger that first and foremost sheds the blood of Islam.
Whenever a suicide bomber targets a crowd or installations claiming to be Muslim, the sword of Qazman and the snakes of Zahhak come to my mind. Zahhak is a mythological character from the history of Persia. He was the son of Mardas, whose kingdom was very strong and the country very prosperous. When no path to his destruction was visible, Satan disguised himself as an angel-faced human and befriended the King’s young son (Zahhaq).
He planted the idea in Zahhak’s heart that he was more capable than his father. Seizing the opportunity, Zahhak pushed his father into a well. Then, Satan touched Zahhak’s back, causing two snakes to appear on his shoulders. The snakes’ food was the brains of young people. Every day, two young men were brought, and Zahhak’s snakes would eat their brains to quench their hunger. In this way, all the fresh, innovative minds (brains) in the country were wiped out. Historians consider Zahhak’s reign to be the beginning of the Age of Darkness in Iran.
Qazman was showing his bravery in the field of Jihad alongside the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him). Such was the extent of his enthusiasm that he would pursue those fleeing the battlefield and kill them, putting his own life at risk. When the Prophet received news of this bravery, he stated that Qazman was destined for Hell. It is mentioned in the Sahihain (Bukhari and Muslim) that during the battle, when the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions returned to their tents, they were told that no one fought as bravely as he did. The Prophet (PBUH) replied that “He is among the people of Hell”. The Hadees mentions that it was later seen that while fighting with such bravery, he was wounded, and he placed the hilt of his sword on the ground and put his chest on its tip to find relief from the pain.
The Companions (Sahaba) said that only then was the secret revealed to them as to why the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had declared him to be among the inhabitants of Hell. The famous Muhaddis (expert in hadees) and historian, Imam Ibn Qutaybah (Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Muslim), writes that “This person was Qazman. He was a hypocrite (Munafiq). He used to say that he was fighting for the superiority of his nation”. Thus, such a person can be anything, but in the view of Islam, he cannot be considered a martyr (Shaheed), or even a believer (Momin) or a Muslim, if he committed suicide. This holds true even if he did so in the battlefield because he could not bear his wounds, let alone committing suicide to take the lives of others.
In Islam, human life is a trust (Amanat) from Allah. A person is neither the owner of their own life nor do they have the right to take the life of anyone else, and there is no exception to this. Allah states: “Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32). A suicide attack is inherently the commission of two sins simultaneously: one is taking one’s own life, and the second is shedding the blood of others. The Allah says: “Do not kill yourselves, indeed Allah is ever Merciful to you” (Surah An-Nisa 4:29). The Prophet warned severely: “Whoever kills himself with something will be punished with it on the Day of Resurrection” (Bukhari and Muslim). This means that if he killed himself with a sword, he will repeatedly suffer the same torment. If he committed self- immolation or hanged himself, he will be afflicted with the same torment as punishment.
Similarly, those who subject themselves to a bomb blast will also be kept afflicted with the same torment. This narrative from the Quran and Hadees rejects any concept of a suicide operation. Even if one brings forth any reason, motivation, political or non-political compulsion, or a story of revenge, nothing is acceptable in the face of the clear command of Allah and His Messenger.
Islam has used a more comprehensive term for the evil act of spreading fear, terror, anarchy, and destruction: Fasad (mischief/corruption). It is mentioned in the Quran that “Indeed, Allah does not like the corrupters” (28:77) and that “Do not spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order” (7:56). Terrorist attacks, bomb blasts, and spreading fear and terror are among the greatest sins, constituting Fasad fil Ardh (corruption in the land).
Many extremist groups distort the concept of Jihad, but Islam’s concept of Jihad is very clear. It has two aspects: one, struggle and discipline (self-exertion), and two, defending one’s life and religion. But Islamic Sharia does not permit suicide operations or casting oneself into destruction in any form, let alone putting a burden on one’s life greater than its capacity.
It is mentioned in the Quran: La yukallifu Allahu nafsan ilia wus’aha (Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity) (2:286). Islam even prioritizes peace over war and considers it a clear victory (Fath Mubeen). This holds true, let alone attacking unsuspecting crowds and indiscriminately targeting unarmed people walking by-children, women, the elderly, and the youth.
Islam not only discourages this kind of violence but severely condemns it. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah wrote: “The killing of innocents is absolutely forbidden (Haram) in Islam, even during wartime”. From Al- Azhar University (Egypt) to Madinah Munawwarah (Saudi Arabia) Islamic scholars and religious centers worldwide have unanimously declared suicide attacks to be forbidden (Haram) and un-lslamic.
In India, every religious center in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bareilly, Deoband, and all the madrasas and khanqahs (Sufi lodges) of the North and South have condemned this evil act. Islam invites its followers to become protectors of peace, guardians of justice, and preservers of human lives. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) “was sent as a mercy to all the worlds”. Whoever recites “Kalimah” (declaration of faith), wherever they may be, should be a symbol of mercy and compassion, not fear and terror. Muslims must understand that this kind of terrorist activity makes Islam and Muslims symbols of fear and terror. And whoever is behind this impure game are the snakes of Zahhak, whose food is the brains (minds) that represent the future of the nation.
zawiyah.delhi@gmail.com.
