Alhamdulillah, I have a good understanding of my deen. I read Quran regularly and do dhkir, and I do more ibadah than the usual. It has a real impact on my mental health. It feels like I’m a retarded person who cannot help his thoughts. It is taking me away from deen. It’s getting worse. I also think many times, how I will be forgiven. Please help.
Answer
In this counseling answer:
• You might take up a bit of volunteering for a good cause or sign up to a course to keep your mind busy with positive things, for the sake of Allah (swt).
• You might take up a bit of volunteering for a good cause or sign up to a course to keep your mind busy with positive things, for the sake of Allah (swt).
• Keep busy with hobbies, too, even if it is just taking a walk to keep fit and admire Allah’s (swt) creation.
• By continuing as you are and not acting on these whispers, you are the one who is going to win the battle with these thoughts and anxieties.
As-Salamu ‘Alaikum Brother,
It can be very distressing when you put so much into your deen, accomplishing all your obligatory duties as well as extra for the sake of Allah (swt), but yet you still have such intrusive thoughts. In many cases, people act on these thoughts and leave even their obligatory acts of worship, so you are doing a great job of ignoring these thoughts and continuing to strive in the way of Allah (swt). However, I understand that this doesn’t take away the fact that these obtrusive thoughts are bothering you greatly. It is completely natural that you feel concerned.
The good news is that, firstly, it is a sign of faith. Shaytan wants to do his best to distract us all from the path of Islam by whispering into the hearts of the believers again and again. He needs to work especially hard on those who are stronger in belief because those who have already strayed do not need his attention anymore. Those who remain committed to their deen, however, very much require his attention. So, he will work hard to shake their faith by whispering these obtrusive thoughts that you also have. The important thing is that you do nothing about them; don’t act on these thoughts, ignore them, and continue to focus on your deen in the way you are.
You are doing all the right things to fight these thoughts by not giving up on your deen. Just continue praying on time, offer voluntary prayers, if you can, find peace in reading or listening to the Qur’an, and make du’aa’ to Allah for protection from Shaytan and his whispers. Keep yourself busy with good deeds and spend time with good people.
Depending on your current situation, you might take up a bit of volunteering for a good cause or sign up to a course to keep your mind busy with positive things, for the sake of Allah (swt).
Keep busy with hobbies, too, even if it is just taking a walk to keep fit and admire Allah’s (swt) creation. Exercise is a great way to fight anxieties like you have been experiencing as a result of these intrusive thoughts. Exercising has physical as well as spiritual and psychological benefits.
Check out this counseling video:
I hope that you will find comfort in the knowledge. This is a common problem for the believer, but is a clear sign of faith, in sha’ Allah. By continuing as you are and not acting on these whispers, you are the one who is going to win the battle with these thoughts and anxieties.
May Allah (swt) bring you ease in all of your affairs and make it easy for you to resist these thoughts and remain steadfast in your deen. May Allah (swt) bring you comfort in your love for it.
Salam,
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