Doubts in religion? | Ask Alimah

Question

I have been getting waswassa regarding Emaan, Allah etc. When these thoughts come i try to fix them..sometimes the thoughts are quite bad about the existence of Allah. A few times when this happens i think about these doubts i haven't verbally accepted these thoughts and feel very uncomfortable when this happens. I know Islam is the true religion its just shaytan trying to lead me astray i just feel sometimes when i get these thoughts it weakens my Emaan. What are the conditions of disbelief? I am just scared i may have thought something wrong and will it affect my Nikah? Whenever these thoughts cross my mind, i sometimes think about it but always say i do believe in Allah. I m doubting if i may have done or said something wrong.

Answer

Abu Hurayra [radhiAllahu anhu] narrates that Nabi [sallAllahu alayhiwasallam] said, 'Allah has forgiven my Ummah regarding those Waswasa(whisperings of the Shaytaan) that creep into the heart so long as they donot act upon them or mention them.' (Mishkaat)

One of the means that the Shaytaan uses to misguide people is by casting doubts and whispers (waswasa) into their hearts. When Shaytaan was rejected, he said:

'My Lord! Give me then respite till the day the (dead) are resurrected.'
[Surah Sawd 38: 79]

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi Wassallam) has warned us against some of these things. It says in the hadeeth: 'The Shaytaan comes to any one of you and says, 'Who created such and such? Who created such and such?' until he says, 'Who created your Lord?' If that happens to you, seek refuge with Allah and give up these thoughts.' (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi Wassallam) taught us two important things:

1 ' To turn to Allah Ta'ala and seek His protection, and to beseech Him,for He is the most Generous:

'And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah' [al-A'raaf 7: Ayat200]

2 ' To put a stop to this matter and turn away from it, and to keep ourselves busy with other, useful things.

The companions of the Prophet (SallAllahu 'alayhi Wassallam) came to him complaining about the doubts and waswasa that they were suffering, and said 'We find in our hearts things that none of us dares utter.' He (SallAllahu 'alayhi Wassallam) said, 'Do you really find that?' They said, 'Yes.' He said, 'That is clear faith.' [Sahih Muslim narrated by Abu Hurayrah RadhiyAllahu 'anhu]

What is meant by his saying 'That is clear faith' is that their hatred of that waswasa and their rejecting it was a clear sign of faith.

Alhumdulillah, it is excellent that you have not allowed the waswasa to affect your actions. As stated above, as long as the waswasa is not acted upon, you are not in danger and it will not effect the status of your
nikaah. InshaAllah, if you busy yourself with the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala, continue with your ibaadaat (salaat, reading Qur'an, etc.), you will be able to overcome this waswasa.

And Allah knows best.

Ask Alimah Team

Note: The rulings giving herein are based on the religious rulings of the Islamic Law and do not have any implications on the Law of the Country. The rulings given hereunder are specifically based on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question. AskAlimah.com site bears no responsibility to any party who may or may not act on this answer. AskAlimah.com site being hereby exempted from loss or damage howsoever caused. This answers may not be used as evidence in any Court of Law without prior written consent of the web site.