Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, former head of the department of Shari`ah at the Faculty of Dar Al-`Ulum, Cairo University, Egypt, states the following: “There is a difference between committing suicide and having the wish to do so. It is not considered a suicide that one wishes that the plane he takes crashes for example. However, it is not allowed for anyone to wish death because of some harm, hardship or difficulty that has overwhelmed him. In fact, he should have patience and expect a reward from Allah for what he is passing through. He should also wait for relief to come, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Know that victory comes with patience, relief with distress and ease with hardship.” (Reported by Ahmad)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “None of you should hope for death because of some harm that has come to him. If he has such a wish, he should say, ‘O Allah, keep me living if You know that life is better for me. And take my life if You know that death is better for me.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)