Answered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam

Question: I have an extreme condition of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). I had an argument with my wife, and the next day while I was taking a bath, the previous day’s argument scene came into my mind. I started imagining the scene (like a flash back), and whilst imagining, I uttered the words “Talaq” 3 times. When I say uttered, I mean my lips moved but I did not hear myself clearly. It was more like murmuring, and the voice was so low that I could not hear myself and neither anyone next to me would be able to hear what I was saying. However, I was in the bath with the water tap running.

Please could you let me know if this has any implications on my marriage? Also, please advice what I can do to treat this condition, as I get a lot of waswasa (misgivings)?   

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

To begin with, it should always be remembered that merely thinking about divorce or having baseless misgivings (waswasa) about it does not Islamically constitute a divorce, as long as one does not actually issue a divorce verbally or in writing.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Indeed, Allah has overlooked for my Umma the misgivings/thoughts that occur in their hearts, as long as they do not act upon it, or speak about it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

If during such thoughts, even if one was to utter or murmur words of divorce in such a soft, low, or indistinct way that, under normal circumstances [i.e. when there is no external cause for not being able to hear], it is not possible for the speaker to hear himself, then that too does not constitute divorce.

It is stated in Maraqi al-Falah:

If one thinks about divorce in the heart, and the tongue [also] moves, [but] without making an utterance that can be heard, then divorce does not occur, even if letters were correctly formed.” (Maraqi al-Falah with Hashiya al-Tahtawi, P: 219)

Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) states in his renowned Al-Durr al-Mukhtar:

“The main integral (rukn) of divorce is the specific statement (lafdh makhsus).” (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr 3/230)

He also states:

“The minimal of “loud/audible (jahr)” utterance is that others are able to hear the speaker, and the minimal of “soft/inaudible (makhafat)” utterance is that the speaker is able to hear himself… As such, if one utters divorce… but is unable to hear himself, the divorce does not count, according to the sounder opinion.” (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr 1/534-535)

Hence, in order for a divorce to be considered effective, it needs to be uttered or pronounced in such a manner that, in normal circumstances, one would be able to hear himself. Simply forming the letters with lip and tongue movement, without producing any actual sound, is of no consequence. (See: Fatawa Mahmudiyya 12/249)

Indeed, if one is absolutely certain (yaqin) of hearing himself, or if there was some external cause that prevented hearing, one is sure that without such cause, one would have heard one’s self, then it will constitute divorce.

The basic principle (qa’ida fiqhiyya), that all people prone to misgivings should keep in mind, states: “Certainty is not lifted by a doubt.” (Ibn Nujaym, Al-Ashbah wa ‘l Nadhair) As such, the certainty of marriage (nikah) is not lifted by mere doubts or misgivings. It is only lifted by certainty of divorce.

I pray Allah Most High cures you from your condition and reward you for the difficulties you are facing, Ameen. It would be worthwhile visiting a qualified psychiatric and getting some professional medical help, Insha Allah.

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester, UK
http://www.daruliftaa.com

Related Answers:

I Have Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa) About the Soundness of My Faith and My Marriage…

Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (waswasa)

What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

What Can I Do About Satanic Whisperings That Plague Me And Even Make Me Want to Abandon My Salat?

Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (waswasa)

What Should I Do If I Have the Urge to Pass Wind or Relieve Myself During Prayer?

Questions Related To The Ritual Bath (ghusl)

Does a Wet Mop Used on a Bathroom Floor Spread Filth Wherever It is Used?

OCD, Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa) and Divorce

I Have Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa) About the Soundness of My Faith and My Marriage…

What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

Doubts About Islam: I Don’t Find Any Observable Effect or Peace in My Worship

What Can I Do About Satanic Whisperings That Plague Me And Even Make Me Want to Abandon My Salat?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I hope you are in the best of health and spirits, insha’Allah.

Question (Q): I have been suffering with waswas for some time for 2-3 years. Now it is worse and it leaves me depressed.  I am always thinking about it, especially when I’m praying.  It gets very difficult for me and I can’t ignore it because it is intense.

Answer (A): First things first: misgivings (waswasa) are from the devil. They are to be completely ignored and we seek Allah’s assistance in this.

(Q): This deals with what every Muslim has to believe in to become a Muslim.  During my prayer my heart wavers every time and it leaves me confused, which is said by scholars as doubting which makes a person a kafir.  This makes me upset because I want to be a believer.

(A): This is a perfect example of satanic misgivings. We categorically do not act upon misgivings. We act based on sound knowledge taken from the hearts of scholars (`ulama) of the hereafter.

Your confusion and thinking that your heart is ‘wavering’ is clearly due to your acting on your misgivings. What you describe is not considered ‘doubting’. There is no way you have somehow become a disbeliever (kafir) because of this. There is no need to be upset. Rejoice in the bounty of Allah and His innumerable blessings upon you; from health, family, safety. There is so much to be grateful for. Of the greatest of blessings is that He has made you a believer.

(Q): I am very frustrated and worried, especially when praying, because it takes me a long time to complete al-tahyat as when it comes to recite the phrase which a Muslim must state and believe in – the testimony of faith – i find my heart wavering every time and i have to repeat it lots of times so i feel sincere when i say it.  This makes it difficult and i cant carry on. When i finish my pray i always feel guilty and that my prayer is not accepted and that i may be a kafir (a’udhibillah) which i hate and am scared of.

(A): From now on, recite the tashahud of the final sitting once. Do not, in any case, repeat it. Your misgivings and fears are completely unsound. You are not responsible for the thoughts that come to you. However, one is responsible for the way one responds. The operating assumption about acts of worship are that they are valid and sound. Your prayers are valid. Period.

The devil is pleased when he makes the religion seem unbearably difficult for somebody. Seek refuge in Allah from him.

Moreover, realize that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Verily this religion is ease; and none make this religion difficult except that it overwhelms them.’ [Bukhari]

(Q): On q and a website it says that waswas affects everyone  differently.  I feel that the reason why i can’t get rid of this easily is because it affects me 5 times a day in my prayer every day, and I am most vulnerable during prayers.

So I struggle with words as my my heart wavers.

I think this happened when i was reading about the essentials of becoming a Muslim.  A person is a Muslim ONLY if he says this and believes in the heart with conviction without a single doubt otherwise he is a non Muslim.  Reading that scared me.

Now the problem is worse. So how do i know i am a believer? Is my reaction, that i hate it but can’t control it, even thought it is an essential Islamic belief, enough to still make me a Muslim?

(A): You are unquestionably a believer. This is all simply misgivings and misplaced knowledge. I highly recommend taking the following course at SeekersGuidance: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship

As mentioned previously, you are not responsible for your thoughts. Your hating them is sufficient proof that there is no ‘doubt’.

(Q): I’m so scared of disbelieving in this phrase and becoming a kafir  that the pressure on me becomes intense which i can’t handle.  I have read lots of Islamic q and a on waswas and how to deal with it, ie, ignore it its from satan, and that the prophet (pbuh) said that none of my ummah will be punished for evil thoughts until he speaks and acts upon it.

But i feel this does not belong to me as i have gone much astray and am doomed (may Allah make me wrong). Please can you give me a thorough answer. Does Allah not burden us with what we can’t handle? Am I a Muslim?  I  feel that I can get rid of these thoughts if I know I am still a Muslim and this is normal, and that it’s really from satan.

(A): The religion is mercy and ease. If one does not find this, one is doing something wrong. It is said that misgivings (waswasa) and hardship arise from an ignorance of the sunna of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

Look at the bigger picture and get on with your life. Ignore the misgivings and seek real Islamic knowledge from real, living, scholars. Allah Most High has informed us, “Allah does not burden souls with more than they can manage.” [2:286] This is a test from Allah which you are more than capable of passing.

Abu Yahya Suhayb ibn Sinan said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘What an extraordinary thing the business of the believer is! All of it is good for him. And that only applies to the believer. If good fortune is his lot, he is grateful and it is good for him. If something harmful happens to him, he is steadfast and that is good for him too.’” [Muslim]

“Say: ’In the bounty of God, and His mercy — in that let them rejoice; it is better than that they amass.” [10:58]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Wasim Shiliwala

Question: Assalamu alaikum. I have been a Muslim for about 18 years and have been having problems with a whisper that constantly says to me “you are a devil.” This making me very withdrawn from my Muslim friends and family. I try my best to fulfill all of my Islamic obligations and make extra effort with wird, Quran recitation. What else can i do to rid this? Thank you.

Answer: Walaikum As-salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Before I begin answering this question, I want to first mention that by simply asking this question, you have proven these whispers wrong. You have shown concern in the status of your faith and your heart, and that in itself is one of the signs of a true believer. Now, here are some points of advice:

Seek Allah’s Aid and Increase in Worship

Allah the Exalted has warned us in the Qur’an that Shaytan is a clear enemy (2:168). In fact, Allah dedicated the last chapter of the Qur’an (Al-Nas – 114) as a warning of the destructive nature of Shaytan’s whispering. Shaytan is an active enemy, and he frequently returns whenever he has the chance to continue his evil work, which is why we must be vigilant in our defense against him.

However, Allah also taught us how to ward off Shaytan and his activities. He tells us in the Qur’an: “… seek refuge with Allah from Shaytan the accursed / Verily he has no power over those who believe and rely on their Lord” (16:98-99). In other words, the only way to find refuge from Shaytan is to seek Allah’s help. There are a number of ways one can do this, but here are some important ones:

1. Say the ta’awwudh whenever you hear these thoughts: a’udhu billahi min al-shaytan ir-rajim (“I seek refuge with Allah from Shaytan the accursed”).

2. Recite Surat al-Nas (114): this chapter is itself a powerful dua against the evil whispers of Shaytan

3. Make dua and have trust in Allah: sincerely ask Allah for help against Shaytan, and sincerely trust that He will answer your prayer. Do not have any doubt in this, as Allah the Exalted has promised: “And when My servants ask concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (2:186)

4. Increase in acts of obedience: you have mentioned that you have increased in Qur’an, adhkar, and prayer, and alhamdulillah, that is also a great and important step. Make sure you pray your 5 prayers on time, and try to do so in the masjid. Also make it a point to recite Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) and the last 3 chapters of the Qur’an every morning and evening. Send frequent salutations on the Prophet (peace be upon him).

5. Busy yourself with remembrance of Allah: drown out the Shaytanic whispers with dhikr of Allah, and remind yourself of the immense blessing and mercy that comes with such remembrance, and insha’Allah you’ll find yourself much happier and positive. It is only when your mind is free that the Shaytan fills it with his filth, so be quick to replace that filth with the beauty of remembering Allah.

Of course, doing all this is but the first step in this process. The next, which is also crucial, is that you have to ignore the whispers altogether.

Ignore Satanic Whispers

In addition to seeking refuge with Allah the Exalted, you must also resolve to ignore these whispers altogether. In other words, reject them outright and don’t give them a second thought.

The more you dwell on these thoughts, the more convinced Shaytan becomes that he’s having an effect on you, and the more he’ll increase his whispering. Remember that Shaytan has been fighting humanity for thousands of years, and that all he wants is to distract you from Allah. Therefore, the only way to defeat him is to leave him and flee to Allah: don’t give the whisper a second thought, don’t even try to respond or refute them, don’t do anything except say the ta’wwudh and go about your day.

If it helps, think of these whispers as being similar to the crying of babies on a long flight: there’s nothing you can do to stop them, and dwelling upon them will only make things worse, so the only solution is to ignore them and go about your business, and eventually they’ll fade into the background.

Most importantly, never for a second think these thoughts are true. If you are a person who reads the Qur’an, prays their prayers, and believes in Allah and the Prophet (peace be upon him), then you can certainly scoff at these thoughts and move on, knowing that you are better than them and that your time is better spent thinking about better things. Shaytan will try to step in whenever you make a mistake, but stop this by immediately returning to Allah in repentance and realizing that mistakes are natural – rather, the main difference between believers and disbelievers is that the believer returns to Allah after committing a sin.

As one scholar of spirituality said: “Only listen to the thought that tells you that you are a wali (close friend of Allah), then work to fulfill your destiny.”

Maintain Good Company

I must also stress that you should not withdraw from friends and family. If anything, you should increase your time with them – provided that they give you positive and halal company. It could very well be the case that Shaytan is trying to push you away from those close to you in an effort to decrease your iman. Indeed, his tactics are more effective when people are isolated from positive influences.

Rather, I encourage you to spend more time with others in positive Islamic environments. Make friends at your local mosque, volunteer at a local Islamic school, take more classes on Islam, attend halaqas – surround yourself with positive Islamic role models. If you can’t do that, listen to Islamic lectures, Qur’anic recitation, and SeekersGuidance classes in your spare time, and share this experience with close relatives and friends.

Keep in mind that gatherings held for the sake of Allah are visited by the angels, and that maintaining close relationships with friends and family is an important sunnah.

Increase in Knowledge, for Knowledge Builds Firm Faith

The last piece of advice I have for you is to spend your time seeking religious knowledge. Learn the basics of law (fiqh), belief (aqida), and spirituality (tasawwuf), and strive to implement these sciences in your heart. Knowledge of this religion is a shield for your soul, and the sunnah is our path to salvation. Studying the sunnah illuminates the path, and the one who walks on an illuminated path cannot be easily led astray.

So long as you cling to the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and do your best to fulfill it, while also understanding that mistakes and slip-ups are natural (and even to be expected), then you can be confident that you are counted among the believers. Any whispers saying that you are less than a believer are merely Shaytan’s feeble attempts to confuse you, and they should be quickly rejected. And Allah knows best.

May Allah protect you from these whispers, and give you the tawfiq to become a better Muslim and believer.

*Someone asked a similar question regarding whisperings related to doubts in Allah, and Shaykh Faraz Khan provided an excellent answer that contains some of these points: Dealing With Devilish Insinuations Regarding the Existence of God

Here is another related answer that might be of help: I Have Doubts That Make Me Question Whether I’m Muslim

Baarak Allahu Fikum,
-Wasim

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala

Question: I had a question regarding an abnormality I have been having. For the past year or so, I keep dozing off and falling asleep at the most random times of day. I have tried to get an accurate diagnosis but was unable to get a proper answer. I always fall asleep when listening to anything Islamic, I just find myself asleep within minutes. I feel like something is haunting me. I am always jumpy and feel like death is upon me. I am always paranoid of everyone around me to the point that I am now even paranoid from my own family. Alhamdullah I pray and do my dua’s, however I can’t explain why I feel like a curse is upon me or perhaps I’m possessed by a Jinn. I can’t explain it and when I do explain to anyone they think I am crazy or it’s all in my head. I do feel helpless and don’t know why these random sleep attacks, jumpy feeling, feeling that death is upon me happen.

Answer: Walaikum As-salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Jazakum Allahu Khairan, and may Allah ease you of your difficulties and cure you of your affliction.

Seeking Proper Medical Attention

Before addressing some of your concerns related to jinn and waswasa (Satanic whispers), I first advise that you exhaust all medical options. See a physician to ascertain whether or not the problem is related to physical or mental health, and follow his recommendations. Ensuring one’s health is part of the religion, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us that after belief, Allah provides nothing better than health. [Tirmidhi]

So if you haven’t done so already, the first piece of advice I have for you is to seek the advice of a doctor. Just as we go to religious scholars for advice on our religion, we go to doctors for advice on our physical and mental health. In all cases, we follow the advice of the experts. This is the path of moderation, which is the path advised by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Do Not Withdraw from Your Family and Others

Although you are inclined to stay away from your family and from other Islamic environments due to your affliction, I encourage you to resist this urge as much as possible. Maintaining positive and healthy relationships with your family is from the sunnah. Similarly, you can increase your faith and decrease any sinister influences upon you by attending religious gatherings: congregational prayers at the masjid, Islamic classes, halaqas, and similar events.

Even if you are unable to stay awake for the entirety of such events, you will still receive the benefit of attending them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that a special group of angels seeks out and attends gatherings wherein Allah’s name is invoked and praised, and that Allah grants mercy and forgiveness to all those who attend these blessed gatherings. [Muslim]

See the following answer for more advice on this issue: Satanic Whisperings Are Making Me Withdraw from Muslims

Increase in Prayers and Reliance Upon Allah

If the problem appears to be coming from sources that a medical doctor cannot treat – be they the actions of the jinn, black magic, or the whispering of Shaytan – then the solution is, for all cases, to seek Allah’s aid. Increase in remembrance and supplication, remove any haraam from your life, be firm in your religious obligations, and to establish the sunnahs as well.

For some specific guidance and supplications on dealing with these problems, see the following answers:

OCD and Jinn

Protecting ourselves from Jinn

Prayers for Driving Away Jinn

I am being menaced by a Jinn

Above all, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Trials and tribulations are a part of life, and oftentimes they contain hidden blessings that we cannot perceive until after they are over. I pray that Allah gives you patience through this test, that He makes it easy upon you, that He cures you of any problems you may have, and that He makes this a means for your sins to be forgiven. And only with Allah comes success.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,
-Wasim

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala

Question: I read the other day on a fellow Islamic teacher’s Twitter, as a type of saying, that the way a person reacts to a test and trial from Allah determines whether or not it is a punishment or a blessing in disguise. I wonder this about my waswasa.  For years I would get doubts as to whether or not I was really praying to Allah or shaytan, astaghfirullah. I think to myself, “has Allah been punishing me all these years”? Shaykh Faraz’s advice has always been that we must simple ignore the waswasa.  I then start thinking did Allah want me to start taking medication for my problems instead of overcoming them on my own ( they once offered it to me during counseling)?  Following your advice, I finally saw myself overcoming the waswasa only to be drawn back by my doubts again. Please advise me.

Answer: As-salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Jazakum Allahu Khairan for this question. Satanic whispering (waswasa) is a serious subject, so I’ll deal with that first before answering your general question:

Ignore Waswasa at All Costs

Before discussing the concept you mentioned, I first want to reiterate Shaykh Faraz’s advice of ignoring Satanic whispers (waswasa). Regardless of one’s spiritual state, they are never helpful, and should never be indulged. In order to improve our relationship with Allah, we must sever all bad thoughts and influences, and waswasa is chief among these.

Shaytan wants you to falter back into a state of worry and anxiety, because he knows that this will make your path to Allah that much more difficult. Allah warns us in the Qur’an that Shaytan is “a clear enemy” (2:168), and Shaytan has himself sworn his enmity of mankind, saying: “I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path / Then I will assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and left…” (7:16-17).

Since he will attack us from all sides, the only way to overcome his ploy is to ignore him altogether and to focus on Allah. As Allah says, “Verily he [Shaytan] has no power over those who believe and rely upon their Lord” (16:99). For guidance on how to effectively do this, please refer to the advice that Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gave you, and also read some of the answers related to waswasa here on SeekersGuidance.

Dealing with Trials

As for the saying you heard about one’s reaction to a trial, the main benefit from it is that it encourages patience and contentment during times of difficulty. If one is patient and steadfast through a trial, that indicates that the trial was for the purpose of removing sins; if one isn’t patient, then that indicates that the trial was a punishment. The chief element is patience, as Allah guarantees us that He is with the patient (2:153)

However, that statement should not make one worry or despair about their past trials. When it comes to our individual cases, we can never be sure as to why a certain difficulty fell upon us, as only Allah knows the reality of His actions.

After all, what we see as trials may not even be trials, as Allah may have given them to us in place of a worse fate. As Allah tells us in the Qur’an, “It may be that you dislike a thing and it is good for you, and that you may like a thing and it is bad for you; Allah knows but you do not know” (2:216).

Because Allah the Exalted is in complete knowledge and control of all things, we cannot assume knowledge of His actions and purposes. Similarly, we also shouldn’t assume that we failed the trial, but rather we thank Allah for easing our burden, seek His forgiveness for any sins we committed, and have high hopes that we did our best and will do better next time.

Never should we despair, for despair is itself sinful. Allah has both commanded and reassured us in the Qur’an: “Oh My servants who have transgressed against themselves [in sin], do not despair of the mercy of Allah! Verily, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful” (39:53).

After trials pass, we should be relieved that they passed. Under no circumstances should we actively wish for difficulties to occur or return, nor should we do anything to facilitate their return. The Prophet (peace be upon him) once met a man who became deathly sick because he asked to be punished in this world for his sins.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) strongly discouraged him from doing this, and told him that he should have asked for the best in this world, the best in the hereafter, and salvation from the hellfire. [Sahih Muslim]

This hadith teaches us that we should never seek punishment, but that we should always seek mercy and forgiveness. Rather than hope for trials, we should take advantage of our times of ease to increase in our praise and worship of Allah. Above all, we must keep in mind that life itself is a test from Allah, and that we must strive to be the best Muslims we can be in all situations.

As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “How wondrous is the affair of the believer! … If something good happens to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” [Sahih Muslim]

Rather than question the circumstances and wisdom behind your cure, remember that it came from Allah, and be thankful for it! While a believer may reflect on how they could have handled a trial better, they should always rejoice from the lifting of that trial, as it is a tremendous mercy from Allah.

Medication and Relying on Allah

As for whether or not you should continue taking medication, that is a decision that is best left between you and your doctor. Just as we go to religious scholars for advice on our religion, we go to doctors for advice on our physical and mental health. In all cases, we follow the advice of the experts.

Consultation in serious matters is an emphasized sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him); A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that she “never saw anyone consult his companions more than the Prophet (peace be upon him).” [Musnad Ahmad]

If your doctor insists that you take a particular medication, then there is absolutely no problem in taking it. Rather than being punished for anything, you will be rewarded for taking the means to better health. Remember that taking the means is an essential part of this religion, and is a confirmed sunnah of all the Prophets.

Someone once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about whether relying on Allah means that he should or shouldn’t tie his camel down (so it won’t wander off), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) responded: “Tie it and rely upon Allah.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]

The same applies to medicine: if you are sick, you ask for Allah’s help and seek a doctor’s advice; after all, if you get better after taking medicine, then that medicine is merely the means by which Allah cured you. By following the advice of those experts around you, you managed to overcome waswasa – this result is from Allah, so accept this gift from Him and thank Him for easing your difficulty.

Stop Dwelling and Continue Your Spiritual Journey

Above all, remember that what’s in the past is in the past, and that our duty as Muslims is to repent for any past mistakes and then work towards improving ourselves. Rather than stress over waswasa or past anxieties, I would advise you to continue working on increasing your acts of worship, religious knowledge, and dhikr of Allah.

Don’t focus on your actions, but focus on Allah the Exalted, and how much he has given to you. Be happy and thankful, and invest your time in praising Allah for his favors upon you and sending salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him).

And when difficulties come – and as long as we are living in this world, we will find difficulties – realize that they are from Allah, and don’t dwell upon why they’re there, but on how you can get past them with excellence. Be ever grateful, because passing such trials with patience and thankfulness will increase your rank with Allah. And regardless of what happens in your life, be ever mindful that, as Allah tells us, “Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him we are returning” (2:156).

May Allah continue to aid you and put ease in your life, and increase us all in faith and good works.

Baarak Allahu Fikum,
-Wasim

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers:

A Reader on Patience and Reliance on Allah

A Reader on Wasasa (Baseless Misgivings)

Answers on Dealing With Trials

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala

Question: Ever since a recent class in school, my Iman is not with me. I don’t know what ruling will apply to my situation. I know the scholarly answer would be to ignore all forms of waswas. Nevertheless, as I have grown, I have come to understand that “knowledge is power” so whenever the doubts that arrived came into my head, I noted them down. Please answer them for me in detail as they have tarnished my iman, they don’t feel like waswas, they have almost drawn me away from the faith.

1. Nabi (saw) could have been a fortune teller himself, learning from Jinns the matters of the heavens
2. He (saw) was a magician
3. When he used to retreat to the cave, he slowly built an agenda, wanting power. In the cave he (Saw) worked on how he would receive “revelation” and how he would postpone it (in the initial stages). In the cave a christian like Waraqa or any individual accompanied him teaching him the works of the bible.
4. He forged the Quran
5. His plan failed, that’s why in the initial stage, he contemplated suicide.
6. If he was Allah`s beloved, why did he get poisoned, as a result of his demise.
7. The Quran says “a few years” for the victory, why couldn’t Allah say the exact date.

I know to all these you might tell me to ignore them, that’s not working, please do help me with rebuttals.

JazakAllah Khair
Was-salaam.

Answer: Walaikum As-salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

May Allah reward you for your questions. Rather than being wrong or shameful, seeking answers is an important part of this religion: Allah commands us to “ask the people of remembrance if [we] don’t know” (16:43).

Differentiating Between Legitimate Questions and Satanic Whispers

Islam is a religion of knowledge, so questions, whether big or small, are not discouraged in our tradition. However, it is also important to recognize when such questions carry Satanic whispers with them (wasawis), and act accordingly.

My advice to you in this regard is to mark down your questions and ask them, but to not let them affect your faith. Questions are natural, but know that any damaging effects they have come from the Shaytan. Remember that this tradition is solidly based on rational knowledge as well as revelation, and that any question you may have has been asked and answered numerous times before.

Therefore, you should realize that the problem is that you simply haven’t learned enough about Islam. Shaytan exploits this knowledge-gap to make you doubt your religion by making you assume the worst, even though you have no evidence for that assumption. The true and measured reaction is to suspend judgment on the issue in question until you have learned about it.

The more you study this religion with reliable scholars, the more certainty you will have that any and all questions or doubts that a Muslim might encounter have already been answered. The only issue at hand is that you haven’t found such answers yet.

Dealing with Specific Doubts

You mention a number of questions, so I will try to answer them in a concise manner. If they are not detailed to your satisfaction, I suggest you embark on a more detailed study of the related subjects, since that is the only way to really learn about the religion in a beneficial manner.

Doubts about the Prophet

The first four questions of yours return the broader question of the veracity of the Prophet (peace be upon him): namely, how can we trust that he is who he says he is? The following answers should help clear this matter up:

1. The following answer contains some of the proofs for the veracity of the Prophet’s message: The Truth of Islam, the Qur’an, & the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him)

2. This answer addresses the related issue of how we know that the Qur’an is from Allah: How Do We Know the Qur’an is Inimitable and Thus From Allah?

3. This answer outlines the differences between magic and miracles: What is the Difference Between Black Magic and a Miracle?

Some additional points to remember:

- If the Prophet (peace be upon him) spread lies concerning revelation, Allah the Exalted would have destroyed him (see 69:44-48).

- The Prophet (peace be upon him) had no say in what went into revelation, as evidenced by the fact that Allah revealed that which he (peace be upon him) would have rather concealed (see 33:37) and chastised him for any minor errors he made (see 80:1-10)

- If the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted power, he could have simply taken it from the Quraysh when they offered it to him in exchange for stopping his message. It is related in the books of sirah (Prophetic biography) that he rejected their numerous calls for a compromise, saying that he wouldn’t stop preaching even if they “put the sun in his right hand and the moon in his left hand.” Even after numerous victories, the Prophet (peace be upon him) led a simple life, advising others to abstain from this world and from what other people have [Sunan ibn Majah]. This demonstrates that he (peace be upon him) wasn’t after power or wealth.

- When it comes to previous revelations, the important information that the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought was that which corrected the errors of previous scriptures, which no one at the time could have told him about. This includes correcting the notion that Jesus (peace be upon him) was crucified or that he (peace be upon him) was the son of God.

The Prophet’s Mortality

As for the idea of the Prophet contemplating suicide, the reports that mention this are considered weak and rejected. Its chains are broken and sounder versions of the same narration do not mention the line about him contemplating suicide. (See the following explanation from Shaykh Gibril Haddad: http://www.livingislam.org/k/whb_e.html)

As for the Prophet (peace be upon him) being poisoned, this is simply a manifestation of his human nature. He was affected by physical things just like any other person. As Allah tells us, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is only “a man like you, to whom it was revealed that your lord is One God” (18:110). Furthermore, Allah says that the Prophet is a messenger like those who came before him, and just like them, he will pass too (3:144).

Allah also informs us that previous prophets were killed by their own people (ex: 2:61). Indeed, the Prophets (peace be upon them) were protected by Allah with regards to revelation and committing errors, but they were not protected from all types of harm or death. They were humans as well, so they were capable of being hurt, poisoned, or even killed, just like the rest of us.

Exactitude and Dates in the Qur’an

As for your final question, only Allah knows best what He reveals and what He conceals. There is no doubt that Allah knew the exact date of when the victory was going to happen, much as He also knows when the Hour will come and when the Judgment will happen. However, the Qur’an is not a book of historical facts and predictions: it is a book of guidance.

The wisdom behind concealing this sort of knowledge is to encourage us to prepare for these events. If Allah told us when the Day of Judgment was to happen, many of us would delay in our preparations for it, not realizing that every moment counts.

It is a vain pursuit for us to obsess over what the Qur’an doesn’t say; rather, we must focus on what it does say, and strive to implement it. Remember that what the Qur’an does tell us is plenty: knowledge about the afterlife, guidance for success in this world and the hereafter, the essentials of belief and action, and much more.

The General Solution

The answers I provided above are but a drop in the ocean of Islamic knowledge. If you are serious about getting answers, you have to study the religion in a clear and organized manner with reliable scholars, such as the ones here at SeekersGuidance. I suggest you begin with courses on aqida (creed) and seerah (Prophetic biography), since those will answer a lot of your concerns about how Islam began and why we follow the noble Prophet (peace be upon him). These classes will be perfect opportunities for you to learn and ask your questions.

General Advice on Waswasa

I hope the above answers helped, and that you use this as motivation to take classes on Islam. However, as I mentioned before, the very fact that you are having a crisis of faith indicates that these questions have an element of Satanic Whispering in them. Satan is a clear and persistent enemy, and he will always be there to whisper doubts into your mind as you keep learning. Therefore, I highly encourage you to guard yourself from his damaging insinuations, and to carefully follow the advice outlined in the following answers:

Satanic Whisperings Are Making Me Withdraw From Muslims

Dealing With Devilish Insinuations Regarding the Existence of God

May Allah guide us all to the straight path, increase us in knowledge and certainty, and protect us from evil thoughts. And only with Allah comes success.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,
-Wasim

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala

Question: Assalamualaykum,

My heart is heavy and I’m facing a dilemma.  I’ve been following Shafi’i school, but then I came across the Fiqh of Imam Ja’Far Shadiq and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt and started following that. Then I was introduced to Sufism.  Then I tried to combine what I learned from Sufism, with the fiqh of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, while still applying some of the Sunni hadith sources. But lately, everything seems to be contradictory.  Now I’m terribly confused, alone, and depressed. Please advise me.

Answer: Walaikum As-salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

May Allah reward you for your question and your concern! While natural and oftentimes beautiful, the vast diversity of Islamic thought can be daunting for many of us Muslims who simply want a clear path to the Garden. Before addressing some of your main concerns, I want to first caution you against the damaging nature of doubts.

Doubts and Satanic Whispers (Waswasa)

When people delve into issues regarding differences of opinion, it opens a major door for the Shaytan to whisper doubts into their minds. This is natural, as it is Shaytan’s sworn duty to assault us from all directions as we trod upon the straight path (7:16-17). I say this not to discourage you from researching these important issues, but to remind you that Shaytan will use this opportunity to depress you and cause doubts about your faith.

It is therefore important that through this whole process you rely upon Allah, for Shaytan has no power over one who relies upon Allah (16:99). Whenever you hear these doubts or having feelings of depression, say the ta’awwudh, recite sura al-Nas (114), and make dua for guidance. You should also increase in your acts of worship, pray the istikhara prayer, and frequently make remembrance of Allah (dhikr).

For an explanation of the aforementioned tips, and links to other advice about waswasa, please see the following: Satanic Whisperings Are Making Me Withdraw From Muslims

When you put your trust in Allah and put your matters in His hands, you will feel a tremendous weight lifted off yourself. Remember that Allah has told us that He will not place a burden upon us that we cannot bear (2:286), meaning that He only expects that we do our best and nothing more. Allah does not wish difficulty for us, but it is Shaytan who wants us to become depressed and despairing, since that will decrease us in faith and in our worship of Allah.

The Universal Aspects of Islam

Regardless of what some zealous partisans might have led you to believe, most “sects” of Islam are actually quite united on the basics of the religion. Most importantly, they all uphold the testimony that “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.” They all pray, fast, give to charity, and make the Hajj. They all believe in Allah, His messengers, His books, His angels, the Day of Judgment, and His decree (qadr).

They all advise that we pray, read the Qur’an, remember Allah frequently, improve our inner character, and strive to follow the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They all tell us that we should avoid the haraam and stay within the halal, and that we should seek Allah’s forgiveness if we make mistakes or sins. They all love Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him), and strive to follow Allah’s commands with excellence.

This is not to say that our differences aren’t important, but rather to emphasize the importance of our commonalities. So long as we do our best to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah with sincerity (ikhlas) and excellence (ihsan), our actions will be accepted insha’Allah. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When a scholar gives a judgement, strives in doing so, and is correct, then he has two rewards… [and if he] is wrong, then he has one reward.” [Bukhari]

We pray, then, for the guidance of all those who utter the shahada, and that Allah puts us on the correct path, and that He forgives us for any mistakes we make on this path!

Finding Sound Knowledge

As you search for authentic Islamic knowledge, I strongly recommend that you stop reading all vicious and polemical material. You should avoid anyone who uses curses and insults in their arguments, as it is in itself against the Prophetic way. Indeed, endless and angry argumentation is highly discouraged in Islam, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever avoids argumentation will have a home built for him in Paradise. [Sunan at-Tirmidhi]

I encourage you to stick to authentic works of scholarship and to especially focus on how these various groups derive their opinions. What are their sources, and how reliable are they? Do they embody the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)?

For some more advice on determining and finding sound scholarship, please see the following answer: Differences of Opinion and Determining Sound Scholarship

The Balanced Path of Sunni Islam

Instead of trying to discourage you from joining any of a number of groups or schools of thought, I would like to inform you about what I do know: the breadth, depth, and balance of the Sunni tradition. While some members of the Sunni community might try to convince you that it is actually very strict, the reality is that Sunni Islam is actually quite open, and it encompasses a broad variety of valid differences of opinion, including a number of the groups you mentioned.

Sunni Creed

In order to understand Sunni Islam, you must first get a clear understanding of what Sunnis believe. I encourage you to read through The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi to get an understanding of how simple, straightforward, and logical Sunni belief is. For further explanation, you can take the SeekersGuidance course on Imam Dardir’s Kharida.

As a starting point, I also recommend this answer, which identifies some key traits about Sunni Islam: Some Distinctive Traits of Sunni Islam

These basic beliefs are agreed upon by all Sunnis, and they encompass the differences over details represented by the Ash’ari and Maturidi schools. As such, these differences are not something to stress about, and I advise you see this excellent clip from Shaykh Hamza Karamali for some perspective on these differences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2pQ175vaRk

Sunni Law

As I mentioned before, all schools of law (madhhabs) within Islam agree on the basics: we pray 5 times a day, pay zakat, fast in Ramadan, and go on Hajj at least once in our life if we’re able. Even the major parts of each action are agreed upon: for example, all schools agree that the Fajr prayer is 2 cycles, the Dhuhr is 4, and so on.

The differences of opinion emerge in trying to explain the best way to do these actions. So long as the opinions themselves can be soundly justified using the Qur’an and sunnah in a clear and consistent manner, then they are valid. As such, the fact that there are numerous schools of Sunni law shouldn’t be daunting, since they all represent sincere efforts to follow the sunnah.

For more information on the schools of law, see the following reader: A Reader on Following Schools of Thought

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq and Sunni Islam

You specifically mentioned an affinity toward Imam Ja’far, and suggested that following him would conflict with following Sunni Islam. However, this isn’t the case, as the Sunnis revere him and follow him. Please read the following answer for more information on this matter: Was Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq Sunni or Shi’i?

Sunnis do not reject Imam Ja’far’s fiqh; what is rejected are certain reports about his legal positions that do not meet Sunni scholarship’s rigorous standards for reliable reports. Furthermore, his fiqh survived in the Sunni tradition through his students Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik, the founders of the first two schools of Sunni law.

Indeed, one aspect of the balance of Sunni law is that in its effort to emulate the behavior of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it tries to take the best from all those pious companions and early jurists who transmitted the sunnah. This includes the likes of Ali, A’isha, ibn Mas`ud, `Umar, and many, many others – may Allah be pleased with them all.

Finally, there is something to be said for sticking to the majority, as this is the advice given to us by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Please see the following answer for an explanation: The End of Times: Isolating Oneself, Sticking to the Majority, and Protection from the Dajjal

Above all, we are Muslims

It is a sad reality in our times that people focus on labels more than they do on hearts. Remember that Allah does not say that only members of Islamic sect X, Y, or Z will enter jannah. To the contrary, He simply commands us to follow Him and the Prophet (peace be upon him), and He informs us that the truly successful are those who present Allah with a sound heart (4:69, 26:88-89).

Above all, never let differences of opinion be an excuse for you to decrease in worship. This is a clear trick of Shaytan, who will try to convince you that since scholars differ over how you should do a particular act, you should leave it altogether. Rather, times of difficulty and doubt are when one should increase in their remembrance, worship, and reliance upon Allah, as that is when His help is needed most.

And Allah knows best, and only He grants victory and success.

Baarak Allahu Fikum,
-Wasim

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Wudu has become a huge burden upon me, most times taking about 45 minutes. I keep trying different techniques and this has been going on for over 6 months i think, though it seems extremely difficult. Please advise.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Washing is that which is normally considered washing, such that: were someone to look at you at that moment in time, they would say that you are ‘washing’ your face/arms/feet.

It is not a condition that one use a single handful of water. However, normally if one takes a handful (using both hands) of water and pours it onto one’s face and rubs, one is considered to have washed one’s face. Ensure that you gently rub your whole face. Repeat this thrice. Then move on.

Remember to begin one’s ablution (wudu) with: [i] the ta`awwudh (`Audhu billahi min al-shaitan al-rajim), and [ii] the basmala (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim). Thereafter, ignore all doubts and misgivings concerning that which ‘may’ have not been washed, even if they are strong doubts. Realize that they are from the devil. Instead, busy yourself with making dhikr and supplicating during the ablution (wudu).

If you continue to struggle, go to the mosque and watch how other Muslims perform the ablution (wudu) and copy them. Don’t let such misgivings ruin your worship, and take over your life.

Please see:

[1] Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa)

[2] Satanic Whisperings (Waswasa) as a Trial from Allah: Punishment or Blessing?

[3] The Ruling and Method of Washing the Feet in Wudu

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Shaykh Rami Nsour

Question: How can someone know the difference between thoughts from themselves, (nafs) shaytan, and Allah? For example, your nafs or shaytan can be telling you to respect yourself and do not allow anyone to oppress you and Allah can be guiding you to forgive others indefinitely.

Also, in the case of dreams, how would a person ascertain the distinction? Nafs, shaytan and Allah.

Thank you for any insight.

Answer:

The Spring Source of our actions

All of our actions spring forth from a thought that enters our heart and this is what makes knowing the science of thoughts (khawatir) so important [Muhammad Mawlud, The Purification of the Heart]. One of the most difficult tasks we face in our lives will be in weighing out each one of the thoughts that enters our heart and seeing which one we should follow. The scholars have given us a guideline as to how to tell the signs of the source of thoughts that enter our heart.

The Subtleties of Thoughts

A person may feel that following a thought may be good, but in reality there is much harm and evil buried deep within that thought. This is one of the ways the Shaytan deceives us in a way similar to the story of the Monk Barsisa in Sura 59:16 by wrapping the means to evil in seemingly “good” actions.

We must realize the the Shaytan has declared war on us and thus we should not be hasty in action and we must weigh each thought on the scales of the Sharia. The doors that the Shaytan can enter through the heart are many and yet the angels enter through only one and so we must be very careful [Muhammad Mawlud, The Purification of the Heart].

The Four Sources of Thoughts

There are four sources of thoughts and they are Divine (from Allah), Angelic (from angels), Selfish (from the nafs) and Satanic (from the devil). Divine and Angelic thoughts are characterized by steadfastness (thabat) while Selfish and Satanic thoughts are characterized by fluctuation/change (taraddud).

Divine Thoughts

Divine thoughts come after struggle and worship. There is a coolness that comes with it and there is not one specific way that it comes. The thought increases just as dawn does, in that it is slowly steadily and surely. There is nothing that can stop a Divine thought and the action that is being inspired will definitely be done. This in contrast to an Angelic thought which can be stopped by a Selfish or Satanic thought.

Angelic Thoughts

Angelic thoughts come enjoining only good and will never enjoin evil. Angelic thoughts will try different avenues to get a person to do good. For example, they will enjoin prayer and if the person does not do it then they will give them thoughts to do dhikr and then if that is not done a thought to be silent. There is a coolness that comes with an angelic thought and an expansiveness felt in the heart.

Selfish Thoughts

If a thought of evil enters a person heart but they are not compelled to do it, then it is either a selfish of a satanic thought. A selfish thought is described to be like the false dawn in that it appears suddenly and is very bright to where one would think that the day has begun. But just as quickly as it appears, it goes away and only the darkness of night remains.

Satanic Thoughts

Satanic thoughts are like a wolf trying to attack a flock of sheep in that if the wolf is turned back from one avenue, he will try another avenue. The only goal of the devil is to get a person to sin and he doesn’t care what the sin looks like. So, if one thought for a sin doesn’t work, then he tries something else. Whereas the self only wants to fulfill its desire (shahwa) and thus it will keep coming back to the exact same thing it wants, no matter how many times you turn it away from that.

If you get a thought that you are sure there is good in it and you do not fear any harm to come out of it, then it is either a selfish or devilish thought. This is because some good things can lead to bad such as forbidding evil and it lead to a greater harm. Both the Selfish and Satanic thoughts can be refuted with remembrance of Allah (dhikr) but dhikr is a medicine that will only benefit one you have built up immunity, which here would be taqwa.

The above answer is essentially a direct translation of the section on thoughts from Shaykh Muhammad Mawlud’s book The Purification of the Heart.

As for dreams, Allah knows best, but they too can come from the four sources.

If you are finding difficulty in doing good actions, this is a good sign as the scholars have said, “One of the signs of acceptance of actions is difficulty found while doing them.” Keep trying and do not ever give up. The Shaytan wants us to be in a state of despair and think that we have to give up. There is one scholar in Mauritania who studied the Mukhtasar of Khalil eight times (each time taking about three years) until he felt he finally go it on the ninth time.

He was inspired to go for the final time after almost giving up but he saw an ant trying to carry a huge grain up a hill and fell down eight times and made it on the ninth. He said, “I can’t have less aspiration than an ant.”

Answered by Saira AbuBakr

Question: As Salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

May Allah bless you all who are holding this website giving and helping us Muslims!

I am suffering from some deeply bad whispers. It’s not the kind that I can just ignore. Sometimes I think of deep philosophic thoughts which I can’t handle. I am trying to ignore them but I can’t do so effectively. I don’t really know what to do. All kind of thoughts are coming up like for an example bad thoughts about Allah and the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Sometimes I think things things that lead me to think Shaytan is getting me to abandon my belief. When I get to that point, I try to reject the thoughts and say, “I believe in Allah, La ilaha illAllah, Muhammadar-rasulullah. Never will I loose my faith.” What should I do? These last days are starting to plague me. I try to study more, pray more, and even do more dhikr but my problems persist.

Answer: Walaikum salaam wa RahmatuAllah,

May Allah reward you for asking this question. May Allah ease your situation.

Increase in Knowledge

It is important, as you said, to continuously increase in knowledge. Be vigilant about going to circles of knowledge and blessed gatherings in general. If there aren’t many in your area, start one. Do this even if it is just you and one other brother. Don’t be concerned about the numbers. Make a sincere intention and the gathering will be blessed. From the blessing there will be increase and not the other way around.

Dhikr and Good Company

Continue the dhikr that you are doing. Couple this with righteous company. This is key and its importance cannot be underestimated.

The Messenger of Allah is reported to have said,

A person is on the religion (deen) of his close friend and so one should look at whom one befriends.

Know that it takes effort to maintain relationships and if misunderstandings happen, as they usually do, try to rectify them quickly. Another of shaitan’s ploys is to isolate the believer by baseless whisperings about other believers.

If you currently do not have friends from whom you can benefit, ask Allah to give you good company. Don’t give up. Keep asking. Facilitate for others what you wish from your Lord and you will reap its benefits in this World and the Next. God willing.

For more details to your question, please see Ustadh Abdullah Anik Misra’s excellent answers in the two links below:

Doubts About Islam: I Don’t Find Any Observable Effect or Peace in My Worship

Ridding Oneself of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

God bless.

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalāmu’alaykum

When I first got close to Islam, words cannot even describe how I felt…I was crying in my prayer…It was just beautiful.

But now I get waswasa about shirk. For example, someone will say “look at the weather today, it’s so miserable”, and then I will say “I know.” but then immediately think “Oh no! I’ve disrespected Allah and committed kufr”.

I love Islam so much. I don’t want to commit shirk or kufr. Please help. 

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Misgivings are from the devil. He is your sworn enemy and would like nothing better than to confuse you, mess with your life, and have you drown in doubts until he ends up causing you to forget whose slave you are. This is his mission, and he is very good at what he does. How is it that somebody with so much presence, love, and tears in their prayer can end up after a time depressed, in constant fear, and doubting whether they are a Muslim or not? The devil.

The way of the sunna is to ignore such whisperings and misgivings, and to focus on what really matters: Allah. You need to have sound knowledge and understanding of the religion before you can make judgements on issues. Making up rulings only fuels the devil and his work.

As such, make it a point to:

1. Remove the unlawful from your life.

2. Repent from all sin.

3. Attend at least one gathering of knowledge or remembrance a week.

4. Send blessings upon the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) one hundred times daily.

5. Take a class somewhere.

6. Find some righteous company.

7. Get up at night when others are asleep and ask Allah to remove the troubles in your life.

If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to send them. We’re here to serve.

Please see: What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud? and: Satanic Whisperings (Waswasa) as a Trial from Allah: Punishment or Blessing?

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalamu aleikum,

I always thought to enter a state of purity one must clean the anal area completely and that would require using wet fingers inside the anus. I think many of my fasts were invalidated due to water entering my body through this channel. What should I do to clean myself properly while not invalidating my fasts?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

No, your fasts at not invalid.

During the istinja, what is a confirmed sunna is to clean the point of exit.

That which is beyond it, and on the body, must be washed away. As for what is on the inside, this does not have to be cleaned, and you are not called upon nor responsible for cleaning it.

Note that cleaning the point of exit is a sunna, and therefore if left, would not prevent the validity of your prayers. In general, you should be wary of cleaning yourself in the manner you have described, particularly as it may also be harmful to your body.

Please see: How to Wash Filth From the Private Parts [Istinja]? and: What is the Best Way to Clean Oneself After Using the Toilet?

See also: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam ‘aleykum,

At one point in my life I became delirious and at that point I had a thought that Allah does not exist and that the purpose of Prayer is to gain control over the mind. Immediately after I asked Allah for forgiveness. Is this considered to be major shirk?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Yes, you are a believer.
Shaykh Nuh Keller comments, “As long as one has fear and disgust for passing thoughts of unbelief (kufr) and the like and does not make them convictions, they do no harm.” [Sea Without Shore]

Please see: Passing Blasphemous Thoughts Leading to Despair and: What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Since the end of Ramadan, I try to maintain good habits that I took during Ramadan. My belief in the Quran was so high a that time but now I am overwhelmed with doubts regarding its authenticity. I’m always trying to pray the best way but I have to break my prayer many times and repeat it again and again to make it perfect. Doubts regarding the Qur’an have made my worship very difficult. I really need help.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

(1) It is not permitted to break your prayer because “it is not perfect enough.” Pray once.

(2) I’d advise reading: The History of the Qur’anic Text by Mustafa al-Azami

(3) Ignore such whisperings. All of them are from the devil who wants nothing better than to confuse you and make you leave your religion.

(4) Misgivings of such a nature arise from a lack of knowledge, a lack of study, and a lack of asking the scholars of the religion.

Please read the following: How Do We Know That the Qur’an Is Inimitable and Thus From Allah? and: Tormented by Thoughts of Disbelief and: What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalamu alaikum

Someone has thoughts of disbelief and, in order to know the ruling, asks a scholar by writing saying that he has uttered this statements of disbelief.

Does writing this question make him a non muslim?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

No, this does not make one a non-Muslim.

What would take a person outside the faith is denying that which brought him into it, namely the testimony of faith and all that it entails of that which is necessarily known to be of the religion.

As for misgivings and passing thoughts of disbelief, they are no consequence as Sheikh Nuh Keller writes in Sea Without Shore, “As long as one has fear and disgust for passing thoughts of unbelief (kufr) and the like and does not make them convictions, they do no harm.”

Imam Muslim narrates in his Sahih collection that some of the Companions of the Prophet (Allah bless
him and give him peace) came and asked him, “We find in ourselves [thoughts] that any of us would consider too enormous to even mention.” He (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “And you all have found it?” and they said yes. He said, “That is pure faith.”

Please see: What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: As salam alaykum,

I always have bad thoughts regarding Allah and his messenger (peace be upon him). At first these thoughts were making me crying but now, even if I still hate these thoughts they don’t make me cry anymore. Am I getting accustomed to them? Am I starting to be a disbeliever?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

You are a Muslim. Remember that “bad thoughts” also arose in the minds of the Companions (sahab) of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

They said, “We find in ourselves [thoughts] that any of us would consider too enormous to even mention.” He (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “And you all have found it?” and they said yes. He said, “That is pure faith.” [Muslim]

However, continue seeking repentance, as this is the sign of those who are close to Allah Most High, and strive to seek out ways to increase in worship, knowledge and remembrance, gradually, whilst not omitting any responsibilities you have.

Shaykh Nuh Keller comments, “As long as one has fear and disgust for passing thoughts of unbelief (kufr) and the like and does not make them convictions, they do no harm.” [Sea Without Shore]

Please see: Passing Blasphemous Thoughts Leading to Despair and: What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam ‘aleykum,

(1) During my adolescence I became obsessed with the Twilight books. As a result I said, as a joke, ” I have converted to Cullenism,” and, “I won’t die before I see this movie”. Have I committed disbelief?

(2) In the past, I have said that I don’t like beards. Have I committed disbelief?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

(1) No, this is not disbelief (kufr). [See these related answers.]

(2) No. Please see the link at (1).

Consider taking the following free class at SeekersHub: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Basic Hanafi Jurisprudence (STEP)

And see also: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Photo: flickr.com/photos/larkyn/

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