How to Deal with the Waswasa of Blasphemous Thoughts?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
I have problems with waswasa regarding kufr, and I constantly fear kufr thoughts and actions. I want to be a Muslim; I know Islam is the truth, but with every thought, everything I say, and action I do, I’m afraid it might have been kufr.
I spent a long time thinking about my intention when I thought or said that thing.
When I’m thinking about whether something is kufr or not, and then, for example, my parents want to talk to me, is it kufr to stop thinking about it and answer them or do something else?
Is it kufr to say to someone that they did a good job?
Answer
None of the things you have mentioned above is kufr. You can rest assured; your iman is perfectly fine.
Imam Tahawi stated in his creed that nothing takes a person out of Islam except denying what makes them a Muslim in the first place. [Tahawi, al-‘Aqida al Tahawiyya]
You don’t need to spend that time thinking about kufr. Such thoughts are not kufr, nor is their being interrupted kufr. Praising someone for doing something well is not kufr either.
How to Move Forward
You have OCD which manifests itself in matters of religion. Seek help for it. There are many solutions for it. This seminar will give you a fresh perspective and the information needed to move forward.
Check this link:
Being Balanced – Emotional and Mental Health – Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Also, check this reader:
A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
You are a believer! You want to be a believer! You want to remain a believer!
The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, told us that Allah said,” I am as My servant thinks I will be.” [Bukhari] Understand this.
Your Iman is a gift from Allah. Allah is too kind and generous to take a gift away after giving it. Keep that in mind always. Your Eman is safe with Him.
From now on, anytime a thought of kufr or one of you having disbelieved comes to mind, here is what you do: let it come in and let it leave. Do not engage with it. Do not be worried about it. Don’t worry about any feelings that persist. Remind yourself of the above, and tell yourself you are not well and that you should ignore what comes to you.
May Allah make the matter easy 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.
