I am facing a problem that messes my mind. I get many thoughts that affect my prayers, dhikr, and studies.
I usually overthink a lot and I was addicted to so many social media apps and celebrities before. Alhamdulillah after sharing my problems with Allah, by praying, repenting, and remembering Allah, I have changed a lot and started to rely on Allah for everything.
I am happy with my bond with Allah, but I'm so sad that I get shaitan whispers a lot. I try a lot to fight them a lot, but then I lose my focus on things, and now I find it’s hard to focus on things that I get distractive thoughts.
I forget things and it’s hard for me to study. Sometimes when I’m fighting with my own focus, I feel stressed, but alhamdulillah, I keep on asking dua for these problems. I need some tips from you, please.
Answer
In this counseling answer:
It is also a good sign that you are on the right path.
Remember Allah at times outside when you typically might such as before eating or leaving the house.
Pick something new and exciting that you can keep track of as you achieve more and more.
A way to support yourself with this is to do this with another sister, or group of sisters so that you can learn together and socialize with other like-minded sisters.
Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh sister,
Alhamdulillah, the most important thing, to begin with, is that you are turning to Allah with your difficulties and this has been helping you. In sha Allah, He will continue to help you.
However, I understand that as much as you continue to turn to Him, you still have difficulty maintaining focus due to Shaytān’s whispers. This must be very distressing for you, but also understand that as disturbing as this is for you, it is also a good sign that you are on the right path.
Don’t let Shaytān win!
Shaytān doesn’t like when people get close to Allah and will do everything to prevent it.
Alhamdulilah, you continue to turn back to Allah every time. This is the right thing to do. Never give up on this. Don’t let Shaytān win!
Unfortunately, this is something that everyone goes through. Even the best of people, the most knowledgeable of scholars go through the same battle with Shaytān and his whispers. The key is learning how to deal with it.
Alhamdulillah, you are clearly very aware that turning to Allah is the ultimate solution to overcome such whispers. However, there are additional things that you can do to make your fight even stronger.
Do dhikr of Allah
Remember Allah at times outside when you typically might.
So, for example, brush up on all the relevant dhikr that are recommended throughout the day such as when leaving the house, when eating, and even when going into the bathroom.
Shaytān may cause you to forget at times, especially in the beginning when you try to establish the habit. So, you can help yourself by sticking up little reminders around the place.
Place a poster, or even post-it note on the door to your house to remind you to say your dua before you exit the house. Do the same on the bathroom door, etc. This way, even if you forget, you will have plenty of reminders.
Make Learning Exciting
Otherwise, continue to keep busy in the remembrance of Allah, establish voluntary prayers, fast voluntary fasts, study something new in Islam. Pick something new and exciting that you can keep track of as you achieve more and more.
For example, it might be memorizing the Quran. Aim to memorize a manageable amount each week so you can be conscious of your progress and achievements. This will keep you motivated to keep turning back to it again and again for the sake of Allah.
The task you choose may not be memorizing the Quran, it may be something else, perhaps learning the meaning, or taking a course. Whichever you pick, it is a way to keep you close to Allah, to strengthen your bond as you learn more, and to keep you motivated.
It will also help with your focus and concentration as you discipline yourself to establish a schedule with it.
Learning the meaning of the Qur’an may be a particularly good option at this point. Having an understanding of what you are reading in Salah will not only help you to appreciate Islam and its beauty but will also assist with your focus on prayer. You will be familiar with the meaning of what you are reading and, therefore, more able to connect and concentrate during prayer.
Connect with Others
A way to support yourself with this is to do this with another sister, or group of sisters so that you can learn together and socialize with other like-minded sisters.
They will help to motivate you and keep you on the straight path in your religion and with your study. This practice will then help to spill over into other aspects of your life such as study at school.
May Allah reward your efforts to keep strong on His path. May He protect you from the whispers of Shaytān and guide you to all things good in this life and the next.
Salam,
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