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What is the ultimate show of scepticism, cynicism, uncertainty, pessimism and disbelief? The undisputed answer to the question is committing suicide or euthanasia. How can any faith support this act of unfaithfulness, be that Islam, Christianity, Judaism or else. How can any religion permit its followers to give up on God Almighty? So Islam does not allow its followers to lose hope and commit such an act. Quran says, 'Do not kill yourselves as God has been to you very merciful' (4:29).

Life is the foremost of the gifts granted by Allah to the mankind. A living human is also gifted by his functional body. He has eyes so he can see, ears so he can hear, feet so he can walk, and a brain so he can think. Allah's bounties are countless, but these gifts are not granted in vain. The human was granted with his free will and control over his body and abilities, just to make him responsible for their usage as per the will of Allah. This responsibility rests upon the human up till a stipulated time known to Allah Almighty. It is only He who could decide on the matters of life and death.

All tough times and sufferings come from Allah and are aimed at giving you an opportunity to prove your steadfastness. It must be the faith of a Muslim to believe that everything that comes to him, good or bad, comes with the will of Allah. He is the supreme being of this universe who is chosen for this great test by Almighty. No worldly loss, suffering, pain or disappointment may be greater than the same in the eternal life ahead. Every living day whether in pain or relief brings opportunities for a Muslim, to mend his eternal life. When someone commits suicide he defies existence of that eternal life promised by Almighty.

Euthanasia or mercy killing is also forbidden by Islam according to the same principles. Allah and Allah alone can decide on the matters of life and death. He is most merciful, and certainly more than the one committing mercy killing. Allah knows best about the sufferings and pains by the patient. It is His design and will about which only He knows well. 'Do not take life, which Allah made sacred, other than in the course of justice.' Qur'an 17:33

However, euthanasia committed in such cases, where the life contained on support machines is discontinued by pulling the plug, is not objected, by Islam. Because, stopping the machines is like stopping the endeavour to save someone, not killing him.

This earthly life is akin to sitting up in exams that is not equivalent to the actual (so called practical) life ahead. In this context, committing suicide is like tearing apart the answer sheet, because one couldn't attempt some difficult questions. What should be the verdict for such a student in his practical life?

Learn more about this author, Sohail Ashraf.
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