Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Repenting after doubts in Islam involves sincere repentance, reaffirming the Shahadah, and fulfilling any missed obligations such as prayers, fasting, and Zakah. Intrusive thoughts or doubts, even about Kufr or Shirk, do not make someone a disbeliever as long as they are resisted. Staying firm in Islam involves continued remembrance of Allah, learning, and surrounding oneself with righteous company.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Your Friend’s Doubts May Indicate Faith, Not Disbelief
Intrusive thoughts about disbelief or polytheism are not signs of disbelief but may, in fact, reflect a sincere and struggling heart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was once approached by his companions who said:
“O Messenger of Allah, we have thoughts that are too terrible to speak of.”
He asked, “Do you really experience them?”
They replied, “Yes.”
He said, “That is pure faith.” (Muslim)
Imam An-Nawawi explains that such unwanted thoughts do not harm a person unless they are acted upon or deliberately spoken. Resisting these whispers is, in itself, a sign of strong faith.
Allah reminds us that everyone faces satanic whispers:
{If a suggestion from Satan comes to you, then seek refuge in Allah… Indeed, those who are mindful of Allah remember Him, and then they see clearly.} (Al-A`raf 7:200–201)
What Should Your Friend Do Now?
The path forward begins with sincere repentance (Tawbah), reaffirming faith, and gradually fulfilling any missed religious obligations.
- Tawbah: The First Step to Spiritual Renewal
Repentance is always available as long as one is alive. Allah says:
{O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.} (Az-Zumar 39:53)
True repentance involves four key conditions:
- Sincere remorse for the sin.
- Immediate cessation of the wrongdoing.
- Firm intention not to return to it.
- Rectifying others’ rights—either by returning what was wronged or seeking forgiveness.
This applies even to doubts, negligence, and missed obligations. Your friend should turn to Allah with humility and full confidence in His Mercy.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who repents from sin is like one who has never sinned.” (Ibn Majah)
- Reaffirm the Shahadah with Conviction
Though doubts alone do not expel someone from Islam, sincerely renewing the Shahadah can bring inner peace and spiritual clarity:
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan Rasulullah.
Saying this with sincerity rekindles the relationship with Allah and symbolizes a fresh start in one’s faith journey.
- Making Up Missed Prayers, Fasts, and Zakah
Once repentance is made, your friend should begin addressing any missed obligations with sincerity and consistency:
- Prayers: If prayers were knowingly missed, he should estimate the number and make them up gradually—perhaps by adding one missed prayer after each obligatory one.
- Fasts: Any missed Ramadan fasts must be made up one-for-one. The 60-day consecutive fasting penalty applies only when a fast is deliberately broken without a valid excuse.
- Zakah: If Zakah was due but unpaid, it should be calculated to the best of his ability and paid now, even in installments if necessary.
Importantly, Allah values intention and effort, not perfection. Even partial repayment, if sincere, holds great reward.
How to Stay Steadfast in Islam after Repentance
Remaining firm in Islam requires proactive steps:
- Engage with the Quran and Du`a regularly—they cleanse the heart and protect against Shayṭan.
- Maintain frequent Dhikr, especially la ilaha illa Allah and astaghfirullah.
- Keep righteous companionship—even one sincere friend can uplift the soul.
- Be consistent, even after setbacks. Perseverance is key to spiritual growth.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Satan flows through the veins of the son of Adam like blood. But when the servant remembers Allah, Satan retreats.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Final Words: A Sensitive Heart Is a Faithful Heart
Your friend’s fear of falling into disbelief, his effort to fulfill his duties despite doubt, and his desire to repent all point to a sincere and sensitive heart. He should not despair, but instead seek Allah’s forgiveness, renew his testimony of faith, and begin his path again—with full trust in Allah’s boundless Mercy.
{Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.} (Al-Baqarah 2:222)
May Allah grant him firmness in faith, clarity of heart, and ease in returning fully to His path—the path of mercy, light, and truth.
Additional explanations are contained in these fatwas:
- Are Doubts about Islam and God Forgiven?
- Does Rejecting Hadith Take You Out of Islam?
- How to Overcome Evil Thoughts
- Does Allah Forgive Shirk?
Almighty Allah knows best.