Forgiveness for the Deliberate Murderer and the Question of Suicide

Question

(1) Is forgiveness possible for one who commits deliberate murder, or not? If it is, then after the punishment or before the punishment? Is there any way for him to be completely freed from punishment — through pardon by the heirs of the slain (awliya al-maqtul), or through conveying reward (isal al-thawab) to the slain and the like? Kindly write down whatever way there is. (2) What is the ruling concerning suicide? Is there in this case too any way of escaping the punishment?

Answer

(1) Forgiveness is possible for anyone who commits a major sin (kabira), if the conditions are fulfilled. Let him either undergo qisas (retaliation) for the deliberate murder, or else make peace with the heirs of the slain and seek their pardon; let him convey reward (isal al-thawab) to the slain, and, as far as possible, show goodwill toward the slain and bring him benefit.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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