The Function of Religious Beliefs and Rituals in Reducing the Possibility of Committing Suicide

Committing suicide, as a complex multidimensional problem, is on increase parallel with the rapid change of human societies. The present study is an attempt to study the impact of Islamic beliefs and rituals on the prevention of committing suicide and as a result its reduction. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this problem, the research method incudes document analysis and meta-analysis. A review of related studies and available statistical documents and empirical evidence shows that there is a relationship between variables such as depression, illicit sex, alcohol and poor family morals on the one hand and committing suicide on the other. The impermissibility of committing suicide and its temptation in the Quran and Hadith, the role of Islamic beliefs (such as the blessing of life, repentance, hope and optimism, divine tribute, patience, trust, remembrance of death and the hereafter, relation with God and destiny) and the role of collective rituals and religious group social support networking in making life meaningful are very effective in preventing committing suicide. Altogether, the variable of religiosity with its individual and social aspects has an impact on this phenomenon directly or indirectly.