Mental Health and Suicide - Mufti Menk
By Mufti Menk | 2026-01-10T13:14:08.005681+00:00 | Topic: Iman
Mental Health and Suicide - Mufti Menk
Opening
My beloved brothers and sisters, we believe in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. We believe in the last day.
We know that prior to birth we were with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in a place that he wanted us, in a form that he wanted us. Thereafter he blew the souls into the bodies through his divine wisdom and power in a way that he wanted. And he caused our birth on earth for a reason, and he explains that reason to us.
The Purpose of Creation
I have not created mankind or jinkind except that they worship me. I'll get to the explanation of that, but let's listen to another verse of the Quran.
We will indeed, definitely test every one of you with a little bit of hunger, a little bit of fear, and so on.
The verse continues in surah al-Baqarah. Let's listen to another verse in surah al-Ankabut.
In order for us to distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.
And just before that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
Does man think that it is okay or enough for him, it is sufficient for him to say I am a believer and then not be tested by us? That's what Allah says, which means Allah is going to test you.
Every day is an opportunity for you to prove to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala that while you're waiting for the day you're going to return to Allah, you're going to be the best possible person in your short stay on earth. Remember that, always remember this earth is temporary, which means anything that happens on earth is also temporary.
The only thing that carries with you your deeds, the way you did what you did for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Good deeds will come with you, they will be multiplied. Bad deeds could be forgiven by Allah if you seek the forgiveness or they will also be carried with you and regretted. So let's do as much good as we can on earth, my brothers and sisters.
The Prohibition of Suicide
Many people are losing iman simply because of hardships they're going through. They see no way out besides at times considering suicide and even fulfilling that may Allah protect us. Remember one thing, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has prohibited suicide.
And don't ever kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is the most merciful upon you. Look at how Allah connects the mercy of Allah when it comes to the issue of suicide and the discussion of suicide.
We all need to know Allah's mercy overtakes any problem or issue that we have. At times we have major problems. We think that there is no way out.
We've lost a job. We don't know where our income is going to come from. Rely on Allah. Trust Allah. It's a matter of time. After darkness, the light will definitely come.
You need to continue. You need to thank the Almighty for the little that you have. In fact, you have a lot.
Counting Allah's Blessings
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
In Surah Ibrahim, Allah says, If you were to try and count the favors of Allah upon you, you wouldn't be able to count them all. Indeed, man is oppressive and very ungrateful. Subhanallah.
So show gratitude unto Allah. Look at what Allah has given you. He's given you much. Your faculties of hearing, your sight, your noses, your face, everything. Allah's given you, subhanallah, your bodies, your organs. And even if you're unwell and you've lost one or two of these, Allah's given you the rest.
And Allah's granted you so much. You have a place where you can actually sleep at night. You have a little bit of food to keep you surviving. That basic minimum, Allah will continue to provide it even in the face of hardship and difficulty. You need to make an effort to try and Allah will do the rest, my brothers and sisters. Remember, there is nothing that we should be killing ourselves over.
May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us a deep understanding. However, it's normal for human beings to feel low at times. It's normal for human beings to be overthinking at times. It's normal for someone to have a little bit of anxiety at times. But remember, lay your trust in Allah. Number one, believe in Allah.
Understand with conviction that Allah will resolve your matter. Every single person goes through hardship. In fact, I don't know of a soul from among those living on earth right now who has everything they've ever desired for.
Not a soul. If this world was free of problems, paradise would have lost its value. What would have been the point of going into paradise when already we have a place where nothing goes wrong.
The Reality of This World vs Paradise
So Allah, in order for us to understand, has kept the earth in a way that he's going to test us in it. And he's never ever going to give us every single thing we desire until the day we enter paradise.
Talking about paradise, Allah says, In it, there is everything that the soul desires and everything that is tasty to the eyes.
Anything delicious to your eyes, you'll have it. And on top of that, Allah says:
And you will dwell therein forever and ever. That is paradise, my brothers and sisters.
As for the earth, challenge upon challenge. You could have all the money on earth, but still, you will go through a little bit of sickness, a little bit of fear, a little bit of anxiety. What does Allah say?
Give good news.
To whom? He's just told us that he's going to test us with difficulty, hardship, anxiety, loss of life, loss of produce, loss of wealth, so much more. And Allah says, a bit of war, uncertainty. And Allah says after that, give good news.
Good news to who? Good news:
Give good news to those who bear sabr. Sabr means bearing patience, understanding the plan of Allah, conviction in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
Part of sabr is to surrender to the decree of Allah. Allah has given you a certain capacity. Beyond that, you don't have the capacity. We are living in uncertain times, but all times before this were uncertain on a different level. Subhanallah. May Allah grant us ease.
The Response of the Patient Believers
So the first thing Allah says, give good news to those who bear patience. And who? Allah describes them further:
When calamity strikes, they are quick to say, we indeed belong to Allah, all of us. And we're all going to return back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Every one of us is going to return to Allah. Those who say these statements are the ones Allah says, they will have the mercy of their Lord.
And they are the ones who are rightly guided. They will have the blessings from Allah. So if you want to be blessed, you need to always think about where you came from and the fact that you're going to go back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
You came from Allah, like I said right at the beginning of this talk, and you're going to go back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala when He wants. That could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be after a year or after 10 years, more or less. That's all up to Allah.
I did not determine my date of birth, nor did I determine where I was going to be born or to whom I was going to be born in terms of my parents. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala definitely has kept the knowledge of where I'm going to die, how I'm going to die, and the exact conditions with Him. So that is Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
We as believers need to be convinced that if we live our lives in accordance with what Allah wants to the best of our abilities, and we seek forgiveness where we have faltered, we will definitely be earning the mercy and the pleasure of Allah, going to a much better place than that which we are in right now. May Allah grant that to us. Try your best, my brothers, my sisters.
The Importance of Communication and Kindness
Then we have Allah telling us after the issue of patience, and after the issue of bearing that conviction within you, with the patience, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us through the blessed lips of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to be kind to one another, to reach out to one another, to develop your character, your conduct, to speak to people with utmost respect, with love and kindness because we're all part of the same species. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us in Surah Al-Hujurat, and I invite all of you to pick up the Quran today, and to read Surah Al-Hujurat in its meaning, entirety. It's a very short surah, but in it, Allah tells you how to live.
If you live by Surah Al-Hujurat, you will empower those around you, and in turn, you will be empowered as well. It makes life much more meaningful, my brothers and sisters. We will be able to deal with mental health issues, when we communicate with one another in a respectful way, when we reach out to one another, encourage one another, don't spew words of hate.
That's what the Quran teaches us, the Sunnah teaches us. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam says:
(Sahih At-Tirmidhi Hadith 1977)
A true believer is not abusive, not hurtful, and not vulgar. Why does he say that? Because if you were to use abusive words within your homes, some parents do that with their children, some siblings do that too.
So Allah says, if you were to use abusive words, subhanallah, you would be sinful, because that's not the quality of a believer. Imagine using abusive, hurtful words in your own circles, or to whomsoever it may be, and you want them to feel degraded for the moment, you don't realize it may sow a seed of hurt within their hearts, that might be translated later on into mental health issues, that could develop into the considering of suicide, and even following it through. May Allah protect us.
So don't say hurtful words to anyone, there is no need. When you differ with someone, we've always said differ respectfully. You need to protect the mind, you need to understand that person is a human being too.
Look at the head, understand in that head there is a brain, behind those eyes there is an understanding, there is a person with real feelings, there is a person who really has a connection with their maker just like you have, there is a person who might require help and assistance, you need to help, that's why the messenger peace be upon him says:
(Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat 5787)
The best of all people are those who are the most beneficial to the rest of the people. As many people as you can benefit, that's what will make you the best of all the people. May Allah grant us a deep understanding.
The Root Causes of Mental Health Issues
We are lacking in communication, in our own homes with our own children, we are forcing them to do things they don't want to do, we belittle each other, and then we talk about the struggles with mental
health, as though we are champions of it when we are actually guilty of making things worse for others. Today, I want to reach out to all the parties who are struggling in this way. Remember, you may be the cause of someone else's issues, be they mental issues, emotional issues, psychological issues, you might be a cause of it.
How, you might ask? Well, the way you talk to them, the way you address matters, how you don't listen to them, you don't communicate with your own children, your own family members, your own friends, those who work with you or for you, or human beings who are in need or who are in any situation, you make it difficult for them. Don't do that. Make it easy for them.
Understand, communicate, learn to listen, learn to put yourselves in the shoes of others. That will definitely empower people. Learn to nod your head more than shaking it.
May Allah grant us ease. When we guide people, learn to guide with goodness. Many people are struggling, honestly, with OCD, and they are struggling with so many other issues.
One called waswasa in the Arabic language, the whisperings of shaitan, a type of OCD. And many times, from my experience, it goes back to those who preach religion as well, in a very harsh way. The minute our children start listening to people who have a one-track mind, they begin to doubt themselves.
They begin to doubt their acts of worship. They begin to doubt whatever they're doing. They begin to feel they're unclean, impure, not worthy, and so on.
That's why the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has taught us about the balance between hope and fear. We don't give so much hope that a person begins to sin thinking it's okay. And we don't give so much of fear that a person begins to doubt themselves and start struggling mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and so on.
But we need to strike a balance between the two. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم tells us:
(Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 69)
Give good news, don't chase people away.
Don't give them such that they will turn away from the deen. They begin to doubt their prayers. They begin to doubt their cleanliness.
Let's speak to people with respect and give them a door every time, no matter how sinful they are, show them the door of goodness and purity in the most loving way.
The Impact of Social Media and Comparison
We're going through challenging times. I'd like to think due to social media and the ability for a person in the north to witness the gifts upon a person in the south. And at times these are photoshopped. But it can hurt a person. The same applies to the east or west.
People are connected so much with social media and with technology that they begin to cry and weep within over something they think another person has that they don't have. And they don't realize that person probably doesn't have it. You know, people take pictures and photos of themselves, photoshop them to look absolutely perfect and post them.
And I've come across people who've reached out to me saying, I'm ugly, I don't think I look nice, I've got a few pimples on my face. This has happened. These are real challenges that people are facing.
And I tell them, my child, do you know what? Those are photoshopped. You're comparing yourself with someone who has way more pimples than yours, but they've covered them in one way or another. Don't depress, don't stress.
And that's why I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, come out in your natural look, the way Allah has created you in order to empower others to know that we are but flawed human beings. That might be a statement that some might not agree with, but it's fine. It's just a point of encouragement.
I've come across so many people who don't like the way they look, whereas they are so beautiful, the most beautiful of us. And they begin to doubt the way they look similarly because of the pressures of society, community. My brothers and sisters, take it easy.
Remember, when you want to show only the good side, not only will you be depressed at some stage knowing that that's not actually you, but you cause the stress of so many other people. They struggle. They struggle coping.
They don't even want to come out. They don't want to talk to others or appear in the presence of others because they are not happy with anything the Almighty has given them, yet they've been blessed with way more than you and I. May Allah bless every one of us. So let's be considerate of others when we show off things that we have or even things at times we don't have but we pretend to have.
May Allah make it easy for us. My brothers and sisters, what I'm saying is absolutely important. This is the reason why Allah tells us, don't show off. Don't show off things. Because others may be hurt or you don't know what's going to be happening. People show their married life, they show so many other things as though it's perfect, yet they know it's not perfect.
Let's talk about the challenges we go through so that others realize they are normal human beings. All of us go through challenges. Every one of us has issues.
Be these issues health issues or whatever else it may be. Financial matters, anxiety, a little bit of it to a certain extent. Yes, our communication with Allah keeps us going.
Our communication with others who are going to empower us with good words keeps us going. We are worthwhile. We do have hope in the mercy of Allah.
And we are gifted by Allah, my brothers, my sisters. So this is why I say, my beloved brothers and sisters, don't compare yourselves with others. Not at all.
They probably have less than you, but they're showing off in a way that, in a way that they feel that they have more than you. Know my brothers, my sisters. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make it easy.
The True Treasure - Connection with Allah
Today, I want you to empower yourself by speaking about the challenges you're going through. It's okay. We're normal. We're human beings. Thank Allah. Show gratitude for the favors upon you.
And what are the favors? Allah says:
Should we show you something that is better than the material wealth that is being amassed by people? That which is material being amassed. Everyone looks at the watches and the cars and the phones and the perfumes and the bags and the clothes and the accessories and so much more. And they become wowed by it.
Allah says, should we tell you what is way better than all of that? The virtue and the mercy of Allah. The favor of Allah. Your belief, your iman, your consciousness of Allah, your relationship with Allah.
That is far better. Look at people who have everything but they're still depressed because they're lacking in their communication with Allah, in their relationship or link with Allah. And then you have others who have almost nil, nothing.
But they're thanking Allah day and night. They have a smile as broad as you can imagine. May Allah grant us contentment.
So, if you are affected, learn to speak, to communicate. First with Allah. And then with others.
A Call to Parents and Leaders
And if you are in a situation where you've been abusing others, bad-mouthing them, making life difficult for them, doing things that have caused trauma and mental stress upon others, it's about time you stopped. Many parents, unfortunately, when they swear their children, when they belittle their children, when they call them dirty names, Wallahi, they don't realize the psychological, mental impact those abusive words have within their own children. La ilaha illallah.
Let's stop that. If you're a true believer, if you believe in Allah, say words of love even when guiding your children. And ask yourself, tell yourself, subhanAllah, that if my child wants something that is halal, if my child wants something that is good and pure, I'm not going to say no simply because of my whims and fancies.
If Allah has allowed something, let it be, alhamdulillah. And when you want to guide them, if they want something that is prohibited, do it in the most loving, the most kind way. In that way, you will empower
people.
Learn to talk to people. Don't betray others. Don't blackmail people.
My brothers and sisters, we are on earth together for a very short period of time. Prove to Allah that you're going to be the best of human beings by reaching out to the rest of the human beings in the most beautiful and productive way ever. Alhamdulillah.
The best of people are those who are most beneficial to the rest of the people.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3559)
And the best of you are those who have the greatest of character and conduct. This is why be courteous. Don't embarrass people.
Don't utter words of racism, words of tribalism, whatever it may be. Say good words always. Empower people. Listen to them. Understand them. Help them achieve what they want.
They actually belong to Allah. They belong to Allah, not to you. So, for as long as they're intending something that is within what Allah has okayed, you need to understand.
Smile and rise to the occasion. Help them. Allah will help you.
Closing Hadith
(Sahih Muslim Hadith 2699)
I end with this beautiful hadith. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's help will continue to be with His slave for as long as that slave or that worshipper continues to help another. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala bless every one of us and grant us all ease in the struggles and the sufferings.
Let's utter words of love more than words of hate. And my brothers and sisters, we definitely belong to Allah and we're going to return to Him. Inshallah, better days are to come.
Much better days are to come. Look at how many people have suffered loss before they saw the greatest of success. May Allah grant us lesson.
May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us mental peace, protect us from despair, and help us be sources of healing and comfort for one another. Ameen.