Is it permissible to complain to a created being, and to excessively cry, wail, and strike oneself?

It is best for the created being not to complain except to Allah the Almighty, for He says: "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah," and His saying: "And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful.'" As for complaining to a created being about what is decreed by Allah, it is forbidden, because it indicates displeasure with Allah's decree, and being discontent with divine decree is unlawful.

Ibn al-Qayyim divided the levels of complaint into three: the lowest is complaining about Allah to His creation, the highest is complaining about oneself to Him the Almighty, and the middle is complaining about creation to Him.

As for seeking assistance from a created being in matters they are able to help with, there is no harm, such as asking a ruler for help to remove injustice, or a doctor to treat an illness. Similarly, a sick person informing about their pain by saying: "Oh, my head!" or "I am in pain" is permissible.

Crying during calamities is a natural human response, and Allah does not punish for it, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cried upon the death of his son Ibrahim.

However, striking oneself during a calamity is not permissible, as it is among the forbidden acts of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah).