What is the ruling on a woman who wants to kill herself for fear of rape? Will she be considered a martyr?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to kill themselves under any circumstances, no matter how great the affliction or the fears they are facing. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.} [Quran 4:29].

Moreover, in a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that whoever kills himself with a piece of iron will keep on striking himself with it forever in Hell; whoever kills himself with poison will keep drinking this forever in Hell, and whoever commits suicide by throwing himself from a mountain will keep on doing so forever in Hell. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This ruling applies to anyone who kills himself deliberately, regardless of the means. Suicide is never a way of solving a problem. In fact, it indicates despair of the mercy of Allaah The Almighty.

Moreover, a woman forced to commit fornication is not held guilty, should not be subjected to corporal punishment and should not feel ashamed because of the fact that she has been compelled, as clearly expressed in the Sharee‘ah (Islamic law) texts.

It is well-known that Shirk (polytheism) is the gravest sin of all, nevertheless Allaah the Almighty does not consider the person who has been compelled to utter the words of disbelief guilty, as long as the person’s heart is secure in faith. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever disbelieves in Allaah after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allaah, and for them is a great punishment.} [Quran 16:106].

In sum, whoever kills himself is committing a grave sin and will be tortured forever in Hell with the same means used to commit the crime. The person who commits suicide cannot be considered a martyr.

Allaah Knows best.