I am having sinful thoughts about Allah that I cannot even narrate. I feel like I’m going to hell.

As salaamu ’alaykum,

I’m so worried about my Imaan. I have sinful thoughts about Allah that I cannot even narrate, and they are getting worse. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I am going to go to hell. I know it’s all wrong but it’s not in my control. What should I do? I want to be a good Muslim. Will Allah forgive me?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

The thoughts that you are experiencing are very natural for a true mu’min (believer). The simple fact is that our greatest enemy is Shaytaan. His only weapon to divert people from the straight path is waswasa (evil whispers). There is not a single person who is safe from his whispering. Even the companions (may Allah be pleased with them), whom we believe to be the most god-fearing people of the entire ummah, were not immune to these whispers. Consider the following hadith:

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that some of the companions came to the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! We have thoughts which we cannot dare talk about and we do not like that we have them or talk about them.” The Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Have you actually experienced that?” They replied in the affirmative upon which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “That is clear faith.”

(Muslim)

It is very important to keep in mind that Shaytaan wants to use his whispers to upset us and make us feel helpless. He is able to achieve his goal only if we succumb to his whispers. There are two types of evil thoughts, voluntary and involuntary. We are warned against voluntary thoughts that proceed from the will or from one’s own free choice. The involuntary thoughts are thoughts that occur without one’s will or free choice. Such thoughts come to mind involuntarily and pass away. They are neither harmful nor sinful as long as they are not acted upon or spoken of.

We have made clear that the thoughts you are experiencing are not sinful as long as they are not spoken out loud. We will now mention a few methods to repel such thoughts:

1) The first and most important is that we try our best to keep ourselves clean and in the state of wudu at all times. It is a well-known fact that Shaytaan is attracted to filth. Therefore, we should not spend an excessive amount of time in the bathroom or places of filth. Doing so can make us more prone to evil whispers. If we keep clean, it will lessen the chances of such satanic whispers.

2) We also have to stay clean spiritually. This means we must refrain from sins and continuously ask Allah for forgiveness for our previous sins.

3) Whenever such thoughts appear one must recite ta’wwuz:

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

I seek protection in Allah from the accursed Shaytaan

4) You may also recite the following du’as in abundance:

لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّه

There is no power and no strength except with Allah.

اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ وَسَاوِسَ قَلْبِىْ خَشْيَتَكَ وَ ذِكْرَكَ وَ اجْعَلْ هِمَّتِىْ وَ هَوَايَ فِيْمَا تُحِبُّ وَ تَرْضَى

O Allah! Make the whispers of my mind into fear for you and a way to remember you. (O Allah! Put my will and courage into those deeds that please you.

Insha’Allah if you follow these few steps and don’t give too much attention to these thoughts, you will soon overcome this problem. We make du’a that Allah protects you and the entire Muslim ummah from Shaytaan and his mischief.

والله اعلم

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Mosa Khan

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani