Three Questions by a Christian and their Answers — Page 65
65 Anyone who prudently lays down his life, or puts it in dan- ger for the sake of his people always chooses the best and most advantageous of all the available options. Even if it causes suffering to him or costs him his life, it still ensures that his people will be saved from the calamity. But one who commits suicide by hanging himself, or swallowing poison, or jumping into a well, and thinks that his suicide will do some good for his people, can only be a fool. No wise or vir- tuous person can do such a thing. Such a death is, in fact, completely unlawful, and only a very stupid or ignorant per- son ever desires it. I say truly that the death of a perfect man, who possesses will and determination, can never be good for his people, it is rather a great tragedy and an occasion to la- ment—except in special situations whereby it is necessary for a man to court death in order to save many other lives. And if a person, who is a source of great benefit for God’s creatures, decides to commit suicide, he will be guilty of a great sin against God, and will be held more accountable than other such sinners. Perfect men, therefore, are under obligation to pray to God for a long life, so that they are able to do for mankind all the great things that they are motivated to do. The death of a mischievous person, on the other hand, is better for himself as well as for mankind, because with his death the account of his mischief stops swelling, and man- kind does not have to suffer his daily torments anymore. If it is asked, which of the Prophets put himself in the greatest danger in order to manifest the Glory of God, and who among them was most willing to sacrifice himself for his people at times of genuine need and through reasonable