FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Prof. Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Prof. Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran and has also translated his Urdu commentary of the Quran into English. She can be reached at hub@thespiritofislam.org SUICIDE—AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE M AN’S physical existence and his life are not, in reality, his personal property. These are a trust bestowed by God Almighty. Life is a great boon that acts as foundation for all of the other blessings and boons that accompany life. Therefore, Islam has commanded human beings to protect life and promote the welfare of human body. Islam binds every member of the society to protect life at all costs, and to make it beneficial to oneself as well as to society at large. God is the Lord of life and death. Islam states that murdering an individual is akin to murdering the entire humanity. (…) Whoever killed a human being—except as a punishment for murder or for spreading corruption in the land—shall be regarded as having killed all humankind. (5: 32) Similarly, taking one’s own life and putting it in jeopardy is likewise an act disliked by God. Do not cast yourselves into destruction by your own hands. (2: 195) Commentators say that this verse also includes those who commit suicide. In another verse, the Quran says: Do not kill one another, for God is most merciful to you. If anyone does these things through transgression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire; and that is easy for God. (4: 29-30)