Instead of uniting as an ummah to discuss how best to address this tragedy, how to prevent it, how to ensure those at risk get appropriate therapy etc, the talk has been about Haram & Jahannam. How does that help those who feel like they’re in an abyss? What have we turned into?
2: Suicidal ideation is probably as old as humanity itself. Reflect on this hadith. SAW himself acknowledged that some muslims experience a dark sense of despair & suicidal thoughts. He didnt lambaste them. He didnt declare them ungrateful or weak in iman. 
3: He didnt wave them off to go & read the Quran as some of you did. He said if one has NO ALTERNATIVE, let him pray! 🤔Praying is ALL one could probably do for suicidal ideation in 7th cent arabia. They didnt know of neural networks or neurotransmitters; no psych experts/ meds..
4: We HAVE treatments for depression & suicidal ideation. Just like SAW advised a bedouin who asked whether to tie his camel & trust in God or trust in God without tying the camel in the desert, we need do our best; do as SAW advised: “tie her & trust in Allah”, for matters..
5. ..within our capacity. Our muslim brethren who are depressed or suicidal need help. We the ummah, have to collectively help them tie that camel. Instead of building another sparkling masjid across the corner from another, we could assist these patients with treatment.
6: Zakat could be used to sponsor muslims to study or specialize in psychiatry. Instead of taking Liman to a 7th Hajj, why not use the money to subsize psych meds/therapy for those at risk? Or build muslim youth centers & hire young muslim counselors to mentor at-risk teenagers?
7: Rather than turn our tongues to jahannam on earth for those in dire need of our support, why not use our minds to get creative about solutions? Why not collectively try to tie this menacing camel, trusting in Allah all along? There’s so much we can do as an ummah if we unite.
8: Tongue lashing has never been the most constructive strategy. We need to unite & put in the leg work. Uplifting the ummah is our collective job, our duty, our responsibility; it is not the job of any govt, let alone a Nigerian one, to figure out what to do for the ummah.
