URDU-INCREASING TRENDS OF SUICIDE AND ITS PREVENTION IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS

خودکشی کے بڑھتے ہوئے رجحانات اور ان کا تدارک اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں

Abstract

Islam believes that human life is a divine trust of Allah and it is a fundamental religious responsibility to protect it. Modern times have seen increasing suicide tendencies due to economic needs, loneliness, destruction of families, mental illnesses, and lack of spirituality. In the Western culture, suicide is considered to be a personal problem, but Islamic considers suicide a communal, moral, and religious crisis. Quran and Sunnah specifically state that suicide is not allowed, and it is one of the worst sins and that responsibility is more important than individual freedom. The Islamic teachings emphasize that patience, dependence on Allah, hope, remorse and keeping in contact with God form the necessary support in the time of crisis. Protective factors in Islam are family structure, social cohesion and ethical values. Islam does not only forbid suicide but offers preventive measures on a jurisprudential and moral front. Sacred advice along with psychological therapy is perceived to be required. Islam society does not abandon a person but considers his or her treatment and counseling as a shared responsibility. In such a way, the Islamic teachings provide a holistic and practical way of dealing with the causes and effects of suicide.