The idea that suicide bombings are encouraged in Islam is completely false. Any Islamic fatwa supporting it is rejected by the teachings of Islam.

An Oxymoron

Almost every day ,the headlines announce another suicide bomber. Much to the chagrin of practicing Muslims, the term suicide bomber has become synonymous with so-called Islamic Jihad.

When one examines the facts, there is nothing whatsoever Islamic about such an abhorrent act. Any Muslim approving of such vehement behavior is, by virtue of such support, either ignoring the teachings of Islam or has a personal agenda despite the teachings of Islam.

Why it Happens

Many times suicide bombings are acts of desperation by confused youth who have been taken advantage of and brainwashed by adults with political agendas. Teenagers are impressionable everywhere around the world and are easy prey for those enticing them into anything spelling rebellion before they have a chance to think it through.

In any case, and whether or not it involves adults or teens, it is an act of desperation. In the West, we take a lot for granted. In other places, children have seen their parents killed or raped in front of them, or one parent may be politically imprisoned. They may be barely existing in refugee camps after having seen their homes destroyed. An occupying army decides their fate. There are many possible scenarios that could lead someone to consider such an act when not in their right mind.

No, this does not make it right, but, as explained in a previous article, A Cure for Terrorism, we can only find a solution to it by eliminating the conditions that created the environment in which it flourishes.

What does Islam Say about Suicide Bombing?

To begin with, suicide is forbidden in Islam, so heinous that followers are instructed not to attend the funeral or visit the grave of one who committed suicide. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam said, according to Jundab, “A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so God said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.” *

Furthermore, in the Quran it says: “And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is Most merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire.” **

It is implausible that a suicide bomber can even be considered a martyr and entitled to a reward of 72 virgins when the act itself is forbidden and tantamount to a major sin with the potential to close the doors of paradise to him or her forever.

Among those who are eligible for martyrdom in Islam are the one who dies of a stomach ailment or as a result of an epidemic, the one who is killed while defending his home and someone who died in a fire.***

What about the Fatwas?

A fatwa is a legal ruling by a learned scholar of Islam meant for addressing those grey areas in the Quran which, according to the Quran, are left as a mercy for mankind (leaving growing room for changing circumstances).

A fatwa cannot be delivered regarding something which there is already a set precedent – either via Quran or direct command of Prophet Mohammad. Since precedence was set during his lifetime regarding suicide in general and specifically in battle, any fatwa after that time is null and void.

Islamic precedence regarding the illegality of suicide in battle was set by the Prophet of Islam after a wounded man thrust himself upon his sword during battle to hasten death rather than risk capture or further pain. In short, one could say that not only is suicide bombing forbidden in Islam, but it is an act of cowardice.

References:

*Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Hadith Number 445

**The Quran; Surat al-Nisa 4:29-30

*** The Muwatta of Malik bin Anas (8th Century)