How to Deal with the Waswasa regarding Wudu?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Rahim Reasat

Question

I started to pray Salah 4 months ago. Every time I start making wudu, I feel something minimal behind coming out, not like passing wind or gas but like scratching or a small bubble. Sometimes I feel the freshness, like the wind, but I think no smell or sound.

Sometimes I think of leaving Salah because it’s depressing, and I only repeat the prayers and wudu, but I know the importance of it, and I don’t. Can you give me some advice about it?

Answer

Do not worry. There is a straightforward solution to your problem. Simply pay no attention to the sensation. Only treat your wudu as invalid if you hear a sound or smell something.

One of the companions was experiencing something similar, and the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) advised him not to end the prayer if he didn’t smell or hear anything. [Muslim]

You seem to be suffering from OCD in general. The best thing you can do is learn the rulings of the prayer and base your practice on that knowledge and not on the feelings or sensations you may experience.

Please look into some form of therapy. That will help you heal from your issues. Please listen to this seminar for more clarity.
Being Balanced – Emotional and Mental Health – Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Check this reader on waswasa also:
A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

May Allah facilitate the matter for you.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani 

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.