Muslim experiences and Islamic perspectives on suicide: A qualitative analysis of fatwa inquiries

Suicide is a rising global public health challenge. Yet, the determinants and magnitude of the problem are understudied in both Muslim-majority countries and Muslim diaspora communities. The overall rarity of suicide events compounded by poor reporting complicates the study of suicide among Muslims. Results across studies are inconsistent and data remains limited due to a myriad of factors. Against this backdrop, this study takes a novel approach to examining the relationship between suicide, Islam, and Muslim cultures through a qualitative analysis of Muslim scholarly responses to suicide-related inquiries (fatwas). The study includes 122 fatwas extracted from Arabic and English fatwa databases based in the Middle East and North America. Through a general inductive approach, both the questions and the answers of each fatwa were analyzed for recurring themes. The analysis yielded four main themes: (1) risk and protective factors; (2) post-suicide matters; (3) prevention; and (4) worldview and conceptualization. The significance and implications of each of these themes are explored in order to advance the understanding of lived experiences, risk factors, and prevention of suicidality in Muslim populations.