Is it permissible to end one's life for fear of imprisonment and inability to repay debt?
Suicide is absolutely forbidden in all its forms, based on the Almighty's saying: "And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful," and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron, that iron will be in his hand, and he will keep thrusting it into his belly in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein eternally." This indicates the enormity of this major sin and that it is a cause for eternal torment in Hell, with the punishment being inflicted by the very means of suicide. Allah Almighty forbids despair and hopelessness, as these are characteristics of disbelievers. He advises seeking refuge in Allah Almighty and supplicating to Him, for He answers the distressed and removes hardship. Debtors are obligated to be granted respite until their situation eases, and they should frequently supplicate for the repayment of debt, with prayers such as: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from inability and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and the oppression of men," and the prayer: "O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful against Your unlawful, and enrich me with Your bounty beyond anyone else." In a situation of extreme and unbearable necessity, such as certain imprisonment due to debt, and the absence of a guarantor or payer, it is permissible to borrow with interest only to the extent of the necessity, applying the rule "necessities permit the forbidden" and "necessity is estimated according to its extent."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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