How did Ibn al-Qayyim cite the شبهة (dubious claim/misconception) of the Prophet’s ﷺ attempted suicide in "Madarij al-Salikin," and is its publisher sinful?
Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that a serious student is bound to experience a period of weakness, during which he longs for his state of earnestness, and that such periods are necessary for a servant.
Ibn al-Qayyim also mentioned that the period of interruption of revelation (fatrat al-wahy) that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, experienced made him go to mountain peaks to throw himself down, whereupon Jibreel would come to him and say: "Indeed, you are the Messenger of Allah," which would calm his heart.
It appears that this narration is weak in both its chain of transmission (sanad) and its text (matn). While the existence of a period of sorrow and grief for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, due to the cessation of revelation is possible, what was mentioned about him throwing himself from mountains is not established. Those scholars who mentioned it have interpretations that vary between acceptance and excuse.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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