Life, in the Bahá’í Writings, is a trust held for the sake of service. After the martyrdom of Badí‘, Bahá’u’lláh commanded His followers to preserve their lives, so that each soul might still render some service to the Cause of God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds a counsel for the darkest hours: when times are hard and perplexing, tell yourself that this will soon pass, as He did through His own calamities, and patience will come. The prohibition of taking one’s own life is firm, for God alone, the Author of life, may take it, and a life cut short loses the chance to fulfill its duties to God and to society. Yet this firmness is meant to protect, never to wound. The Psalmist speaks of a Lord close to the brokenhearted [1], and that nearness belongs in every response to despair and grief. From here the way leads to the soul as a mirror of divine light, to the attributes of God hidden within each person, and to the gravity of every harm done to a human body.
However, after the martyrdom of the Pride of Martyrs, who was named Badi' in the Kingdom of Names, all are commanded to preserve their lives that perchance some service to the Cause of God might be rendered by souls. This is what We have desired for them. No one should transgress the bounds set by his Lord.
O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Thy letter was received. Thou hast written of the severe calamity that hath befallen thee -- the death of thy respected husband. That honourable man hath been so subjected to the stress and strain of this world that his greatest wish was for deliverance from it.
Such is this mortal abode: a storehouse of afflictions and suffering. It is ignorance that binds man to it, for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world, from monarch down to the most humble commoner. If once this life should offer a man a sweet cup, a hundred bitter ones will follow; such is the condition of this world. The wise man, therefore, doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it; at some moments, even, he eagerly wisheth for death that he may thereby be freed from these sorrows and afflictions. Thus it is seen that some, under extreme pressure of anguish, have committed suicide.
As to thy husband, rest assured. He will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and will become the recipient of bounty and favour. Strive thine utmost to give his child a Baha'i training so that when he attaineth maturity he may be merciful, illumined and heavenly.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-20, to Elizabeth G Van Patten -- AB04032)
03
Should anyone at any time encounter hard and perplexing times, he must say to himself, "This will soon pass." Then he will be calm and quiet. In all my calamity and difficulties I used to say to myself, "This will pass away." Then I became patient.
As for the matter of deliberately ascending from this world merely to escape what is unbearable - this is absolutely not permitted.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Dec-24, to Ahmad Yazdi son in law of Abdu'l-Baha -- AB01811)
05
Verily, he who sacrificed himself by his own hand was in grievous error. The Supreme Pen hath ever forbidden such deeds in the Scriptures and Tablets.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304 ? [1886-1887], to Siyyid Mihdi Dahaji et al -- BH00728)
06
You have asked that if a person commits suicide, is it like unto a person who commits murder, that is, is he a murderer? This is evident, whether he commits suicide or murder, a soul is destroyed. Murder is murder no matter how it happens and those who commit it act against the will of God, for God has willed that man live a certain period of time; act in accordance with the responsibilities of servitude; perform the duties allotted to humanity and with heart and soul as far as lies in his power serve the body of society and become the cause of the manifestation of the gifts of God. Now if he destroys himself he will be deprived of all these bounties.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Feb-01, to Helen S Goodall -- AB12806)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
07
Suicide is forbidden in the Cause. God Who is the Author of all life can alone take it away, and dispose of it the way he deems best. Whoever commits suicide endangers his soul, and will suffer spiritually as a result in the other worlds beyond.
(25 Aug. 1939 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, LG#677)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified