Is the Shaytan Who Whispered You to Sin the Same One Who Comes to Make You Despair?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I heard a student of knowledge say, “the Shaytan who whispers and makes the consequences of sin appear smaller, is the same one who comes back after you committed the sin and tries to make you despair of Allah’s mercy in order to prevent you from repenting,” and I shared it with many of my friends.
It was not, however, attributed to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), but was simply a statement. Is this correct? Because I occasionally get waswasa that I lied about religion and that I should stop sharing such quotes. My intention was to spread good and help my friends repent rather than despair.
What should I do?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Thank you for your question. I pray you are well.
Wasawis, doubts and misgivings are difficult issues to deal with, but alhamdulillah you have already begun dealing with the issue in two important ways: a) by recognizing that there is a problem and b) by seeking help and guidance.
There is no mention as such it is the same Shaytan that has come to you once but most likely it is. Their mission is the same.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported, The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Each one of you has a devil-companion from the jinn over him.” They said, “Each one of you has a devil-companion from the jinn over him.” They said, “Even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Even me, yet Allah helped me against him, and I am safe from him. He does not order me to do anything but good.” [Muslim]
Knowledge
The long-term cure for these constant doubts is to seek a deeper understanding of Islamic Knowledge. With knowledge, Shaytan cannot deceive you with his whispers and plots. I would advise you and your friends to find authentic scholars in your area and connect to them. Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance.
Please see these also:
A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
May Allah Most High ease all of your affairs and protect you and us from the plots of Shaytan.
I pray this helps in your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete hifz of Quran in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
