What Do I Do If I Suffer from Doubts of Disbelief?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
I’m having dirty thoughts about Allah… I had fallen into grave sins as a result of my repetitive thoughts. I want to go back to Allah. Is there anything I can do to soften my heart? Please advise.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.
It is from Allah’s vast Mercy that He doesn’t hold us responsible for thoughts and even inclinations.
You should assume that you were always a Muslim. Your remorse and dislike of these thoughts is a sign of pure faith.
Having Bad Thoughts and Hating Them is Pure Faith!
When Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about having bad faith-related thoughts, he referred to these as pure faith. [Muslim and others]
Don’t accept the whisperings of Shaytan to the contrary.
Allah Most High says: “Say: My servants who have wronged yourselves, never despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [Quran, 39:53]
See:
- How to Remove Doubts About My Disbelief?
- Doubts Regarding the Authenticity of the Quran.
- How Do I Deal with Doubts in My Faith?
- What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?
- Dealing with Devilish Insinuations Regarding the Existence of God
Cultivate Your Faith Through Remembrance of Allah
Strive to follow the Prophetic sunna to “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” [Tirmidhi] In your walking, work, and rest. Engage your tongue, heart, and mind with the remembrance of Allah.
One way is to repeat the “lasting good deeds” the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) recommended:
Subhana’l Llah; Alhamdu li’l Llah; la ilaha illa’l Llah; and Allahu Akbar.
These can be recited in order or individually. Stay constant on them, and you’ll find peace of heart and an increasing presence with Allah.
Related:
- The Aim, Purpose, and Consequence of Consistent Spiritual Routines.
- A Reader on Sincerity, Intention, and the Purpose of Spiritual Routines.
And Allah alone gives success.
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), as well as his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age. He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance in order to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
