A fatwa was recently issued in Egypt stating that it is permissible for a Muslim to kill himself if he fears the intelligence services of his country. Is this fatwa valid or not?

The questioner : In the name of Allah, and praise is due to Him, and may the prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. A fatwa was recently issued in Egypt stating that it is permissible for a Muslim to kill himself if he fears the intelligence services of his country. Is this fatwa valid or invalid? May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : This fatwa is like the previous one: Is it permissible for Muslims to kill one another? Here we have an Islamic group and there a governmental group, and this is suicide, which is not permissible in the Shari'ah. Suicide during war is not permissible except in an Islamic war where the Muslim banner is raised and under a Muslim ruler who rules by what Allah has revealed. Perhaps we will see that soon.