Weak Iman, Misgivings, and Loving the Messenger (Allah Bless Him and Give Him Peace)
Answered Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: I am dealing with extreme thoughts of shirk that bring me to tears. My imaan is extremely low and at I question my faith nearly all the time. I know one of the things you can do to remove these thoughts is increase the amount you practice. I confess I have never been very practicing however I am now trying to learn and pray and read the Quran more. The first day I began this I felt a lot more at ease, and Inshallah I will continue with this. However recently I have encountered a new predicament, I keep on disrespecting the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam in general. When I hear someone say something bad about the Prophet (pbuh) or Islam my first instinct is to laugh (astagfurallah). Please help me.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I hope you are in the best of health and spirits, insha’Allah.
You’re sadness and seeking to do away with such thoughts is a sign of sincerity. Such doubts are never to be turned nor given any attention to. Make this juncture of your life a time of turning to Allah in repentance, longing, and love. Make a point to continually renew your repentance. (See: A Reader on Tawba (Repentance) )
Strive in increasing your worship and knowledge. Learn sound and proper understanding of religion. Seek to emulate the states of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) inwardly and outwardly. And seek to become of the foremost of believers. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to seek the assistance of Allah and not to deem oneself incapable. You are worthy just as much as the next person. Ask Allah with a heart full of conviction that He will answer. The Most Generous of the generous always answers.
Increasing in Love of the Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)
Send much salawat upon him (Allah bless him and give him peace), learn about his character and beauty, observe his sunnas to the best of your ability, pray for him (Allah bless him and give him peace), and sit with those who love him (Allah bless him and give him peace). “Say: If you love Allah, follow (and love) me, Allah will love you.” [Qur’an, 3:31] Strive and strive more. Nothing worth having is easy. Realize that it will come with time, sincerity, and love.
I’d advise taking the following classes at SeekersGuidance: [i] Knowing the Messenger of Allah [ii] Prohibitions of the Tongue [iii] Meccan Dawn: The Life of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad
Please also see:
[a] What is the Ruling For Someone Who Has Thoughts of Disbelief Without Saying Them Aloud?
[c] How Much Should the Prophet (Peace be upon him) be Loved and How
[d] I Have Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa) About the Soundness of My Faith and My Marriage…
[e] Satanic Whisperings (Waswasa) as a Trial from Allah: Punishment or Blessing?
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
