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#1 [Permalink] Posted on 31st December 2010 17:55

I am hoping to (a) lighten the burden on my mind and (b) hope for assistance in a very debilitating illness.

For approximately 10 years I have suffered from OCD/waswasa characterised by incessant hand washing and constant questions relating to whether or not a particular thought or action constitutes kufr.

Inititally, the problem was limited to hand washing but this has now been superceded by constant questioning of several muftis about kufr. I am asking anything up to 10 questions per day.

I have told to ignore the thoughts but for whatever reason I cannot seem to do so. This is taking a heavy toll on my marriage, social life and my own mental health.

In 2004, whilst in Hajj and suffering from incessant and continuous hand washing I uttered certain statements out of sheer frustration. Having thought I had committed kufr and invalidated my nikah I asked several muftis whether what I had uttered constituted kufr.

The likes of Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Mufti Zubair Dudha, Shaykh Riyadul Haq, Jamiatul Ulama SA, Darul Uloom Deoband all said I had not committed kufr. However Majlisul Ulama South Africa concluded otherwise.

This fatwa resulted in asking my wife to re-perform nikah. She refused on the basis of following the majority verdict and, if she listened to me once, it would happen in the future.

Since then the number of questions have increased as has the number of institutions and muftis consulted. In the mind of a sufferer one mufti re-assuring him is insufficient. He needs several re-assurances.

Some scholars have suggested that as the illness is a mental one I should consult a Muslim psychaitrist. With all due repsect, it's all well suggesting such a thing but try finding a muslim psychaitrist in the UK. I am reluctant to visit a non-Muslim psychiatrist as I do not feel they would understand the issue.

Lately I have been asking fatwas from Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng, who are literally the sister organisation of Majlisul Ulama. You may ask why? The reason is because if one of the strictest organisation's says I am still a Muslim this will satisfy me. However, it will only be a matter of time before their uncompromising stance leads to them issuing a kufr fatwa at which point I may well become suicidal.

People tend to think that the ability to write and speak eloquently leads to a presumption of sanity, yet in my case doctor(s) have suggested a chemical imbalance in the brain. Their solution is Peroxatine, an anti-depressant, which has many undesired side effects.

As I write, I await anxiously for a repsonse from Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng reference several questions I have asked today. This is becoming a daily routine and is ruining my life and that of my wife. Every statement or action is scrutinised for kufr leaving me unable to function.

The shaykh in my area, a graduate from Darul Uloom Bury, has been consulted but the problem has remained. My wife, rightly or wrongly, refuses to speak about it anymore and hence it is just me and my thoughts.

Below are just a small sample of questions asked from muftis

"Whilst reading a question I thought to myself that people expect every answer to be found in shariah which is not the case. Would such thinking be kufr?"

"My wife had some pain and complained: "flipping heck, there is a always something wrong with me"
There was another complaint along similar lines the wording of which I can't remember. Would this be kufr"

"Assalamu Alaykum I was listening to a nasheed the words of which were "Allah bohot bara hein" Since the recitation was loud I thought why is he ranting so loud. No sooner did I think this, I switched the nasheed off to prevent continuing negative thought. Would this be kufr?"

And on and on it goes. I think I am going mad

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#2 [Permalink] Posted on 31st December 2010 18:24

Brother in Islam,
Assalaamu 'alaykum warahmatullah.
Reading your post brings to mind some teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat of Leicester.

Someone suffering from such thoughts/wasaawis should not worry too much...why? Because a thief does not enter the house wherein there is nothing to gain. Similarly Shaytaan does not bother with putting such thoughts in the mind of a non believer. He only bothers with those with the wealth of imaan in their hearts as he wishes to destroy their aakhirah.

Also thoughts are like guests..if you entertain them they will appear again and again whereas if you ignore them they will disappear insha Allah.

So make shukr for the imaan which Allah ta'ala has blessed you with and tell Shyataan to go jump in the lake!

I pray this will be of help insha Allah.

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Fragrance of Musk

#3 [Permalink] Posted on 31st December 2010 23:14

As salaamu alaikum brother,

I want to tell you that what you have done is very brave- trying to get help to clear your doubts about the Truth is something that is necessary for any Muslim to do. Many people live and suffer with the disease of doubt in silence for years while it takes a toll on their mental, spiritual and even their physical health.
The Devil (shaytan) is mankind's sworn enemy, as Allah Most High tells us in the Qur'an. After his own straying from Allah Most High's pleasure and subsequently being cast out of divine favour, he vowed that he would lead all of mankind astray, out of envy for the close relationship that Adam (peace be upon him) and his progeny (us) shared with their Lord.

His main influence is by the fact that he whispers evil thoughts into our hearts. Then, we take these suggestions, and begin to repeatedly think about the evil (or less good) action, until it becomes our own thought, which then leads to determination, then to action.

One thing I have learned is to constantly remind yourself that not every thought you have is from your own mind- especially the gross ones and ones we wouldn't repeat. When the Devil whispers doubts into people's minds, sometimes they mistaken them for our own, and feel disgust and shock for thinking such a gross thought, then they blame themselves over and over, allowing themselves to re-expose their mind to the thought repeatedly, till it actually does start confusing them, until it finally settles and becomes an internal struggle.
To have these fleeting doubtful thoughts, at the initial stage, is something normal, and to seek refuge in Allah Ta'ala from the Devil immediately is the remedy. Do not let those thoughts grow, rather, say "a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan nir-rajeem" and if you pondered on the thought, seek forgiveness (istighfar).

It is narrated from Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him), who ascribed it back to the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) that he said, "Truly, Allah has overlooked for my Ummah that which is whispered, or the which is thought about in the lower self, as long as they do not act upon it, or speak about it." [al-Bukhari, Sahih]

He also narrates that people from amongst the Companions came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and consulted him: "We surely find within ourselves things that one of us would consider an enormity to even speak about." So he [peace and blessings be upon him] asked, "And you have really found that [within yourselves?]" "Yes," they replied. "That," he replied (peace and blessings be upon him), "is clear faith." [Muslim, Sahih]
May Allah Ta'ala make it easy for you and us to stay on the Truth of Islam and may He shower His love and mercy upon us and the entire ummah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

I tell myself all of this first and foremost, and then remind others. And Allah knows best.

Wasallam,

sister-in-islam

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#4 [Permalink] Posted on 1st January 2011 00:51

Salaam, you have been given great advice by both the above. You mentioned Shauykh Riyadhul Haq, he has given a very good talk on Satanic Whispers. He mentions how Sahaba went through the same sort of thing too. InshaAllah, your imaan is intact.

These are whispers from Shaitan, imagine if the whispers & your thoughts were said out loud! We should thank Allah that he has kept this as just whispers & thoughts.

Have stopped any medication?
Have you started any new medication?

My dad went through a phase where his thoughts were very suicidal. This was due to him stopping his medication. He had to get back on his medication and cut down on them gradually.

Constantly seek refuge in Allah and say Aamantu billahe... you may also find the thread of Satanic Whispers usefull inshaAllah. (Members research section in the forum).

Also pray Surah 114.

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Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.
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#5 [Permalink] Posted on 20th February 2011 12:37

The strength of these thoughts and the virtually uncontrollable anger over trivial matters is compounded by a lack of social skills whereby I do not when to speak out or when to keep silent. Hence, inside my mind I am suffering immense turmoil.

Everyday I think: "today I will make wudhu and ghusl according to Sunnah yet the strength of the thoughts provoke me to wash my hands up to 25 times.

With regards kufr, every sin I commit I regard it as kufr and ask several Muftis everyday for clarification.

Unfortunately there is only one shaykh in the west midlands and there is little compatibility and, as with most Shaykhs, they have their close mureeds and cannon fodder, like me, don't get the required time of day.

My problem is getting worse and I am getting more & mire depressed

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#6 [Permalink] Posted on 20th February 2011 13:37

Tadees wrote:

Assalaamu 'alaykum brother in islam
There is a cure for every illness and there is shaykh compatible for every one of us insha Allah. There is no need to become distressed or depressed. If one shaykh is unavailable , so look elsewhere.

As for the compulsive washing, just say to yrself, "does my beloved Nabi sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam wash more than 3 times? No! So O shaytaan, i'm not going to listen to you!" Then ignore him and throw dust in his devious plan. Also make du'a to Allah ta'ala in Whose power is everything. I pray this is of help....You yourself are going to have to fight this as no one else can do it for you. May Allah ta'ala make it easy for you.

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#7 [Permalink] Posted on 20th February 2011 18:11

On Anger:
Hazrat Ali's grandson was once assisted by a slavegirl in performing wudhu when the water jug slipped from her hand and hurt him.He looked at her angrily and she immediately recited the verse:

"Allah's special servants are those who swallow their anger"

He said, "I have swallowed my anger".

She proceeded to recite the verse,

"And those who forgive people"

He said, "I forgive your mistake"

She then continued,

"And Allah loves those who are kind."

He then replied, "Go, I free you for the sake of Allah".

Hope this helps toward controlling your anger insha Allah....If it wasn''t in our control Allah ta'ala would not expect us to keep anger under control.

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Fragrance of Musk

#8 [Permalink] Posted on 20th February 2011 18:38

www.daralmahmood.org/anger_waswasa.html

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#9 [Permalink] Posted on 20th February 2011 19:09

Anonymous wrote:

w w w. daralmahmood .o r g/ anger_waswasa.html

You went through all that effort to post that link? Registering probably would have been quicker!!

PS. Link updated

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#10 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:03

A) OCCUPY YOURSELF - Among the numerous divine prescriptions of shielding oneself from waswasas (whisperings), one such technique is to busy oneself in some task when one gets them. One cannot get rid of them by simply desiring them to go away, hence one should occupy himself in some activity. Along with that, one should constantly recite the undermentioned supplication recommended by Rasulullah r for removing these whisperings. The supplication (dua) is as follows:

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

"O Allah! Make Your fear and remembrance the obsession of my mind and divert my will and courage to the performance of deeds that please You."
(Al Hizbul A'zam)

It is the disposition of man that his mind is always occupied and never without thoughts. His hands may be doing something but his mind is thinking of something else and continuously receives diverse thoughts. Therefore, we must implore Allah Ta'ālā via this Dua that the idle thoughts we receive be replaced by Allah's remembrance and fear.

(w w w. daralmahmood .o r g/ anger_waswasa.html)

D) SAFETY AGAINST THE CLUTCHES OF SHAYTAN - In the undermentioned verse, Allah Ta'ālā commands His Nabi r and the the Ummah to seek protection from the evil insinuation and instigation of the Shaytan, to commit sin, to confuse one and to enrage his temper where he loses control over himself.

وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ . وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
"Say O Muhammad r, 'O Allah! I seek your protection from the whisperings of the Shaytān, and, O my Rabb, I seek Your protection that they (the Shaytāns) approach me (because they always approach with evil).'"
(Surah Mu'minun - S. 23, V. 98)
(Al Jāmiu Li Ahkāmil Qurān - Qurtubī, Vol.12, Pg.154; Dārul Hadīth, Egypt)

May Allah Ta'ālā allow us to recite these supplications constantly, and may He occupy our minds with His fear and remembrance, Āmīn.

(w w w. daralmahmood .o r g/ anger_waswasa.html)

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#11 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:23

ummi taalib wrote:

Also thoughts are like guests..if you entertain them they will appear again and again whereas if you ignore them they will disappear insha Allah.

In my opinion (correct me if i'm right ,moulana) if you have doubts and you dont follow them its good e.g if you wash your hands 3 times and after have a doubt that its not washed properly dont wash it more times otherwise you are entertaining the doubt and it might come again.

IF YOU FOLLOW IT you fall into the illness of WAHM

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#12 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:25

Once Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi performed wuzu then he had thoughts that he forgot to do masah. So he went and did it. Then he felt that his elbow is still dry, so he washed it. Then he felt that his ankle was also left dry. Now he said to himself, "This is not taqwa, this is something else." Then he said, "Even if it is dry, today I am going to pray Salah without wudhu." This is the way to get rid of waswasas. Be strong - Don't pay attention to such thoughts.

(w w w.tafseer-raheemi. c o m /q-wahm-in-ghusl/)

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#13 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:27

Question:

I do ghusal I take up to half hour after still something says its dry I wash after it something else is dry it gives me headache drives me crazy please help me jzk

Answer:

What you have is known as 'wahm' in Arabic. It is quite common among people. The best thing for this is to have a sunnat bath i.e. first wash your hands and private parts and wherever najaasat has touched. Next, perform wudhu with minimum water. Then, pour water over your entire body thrice only, beginning from the head and rubbing all parts of the body. Step out of the bathtub or shower cubicle and pay no attention to any thoughts whatsoever. Know in your heart that you have completed what you set out to do and that the rest is from Shaitaan. Inshallah, Allah will cure you from this illness.

part of question taken from
(w w w.tafseer-raheemi. c o m /q-wahm-in-ghusl/)

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#14 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:28

Q: Passing urine - Wahm
Question

When I run or move fast or pray Quran or do zikr I sometimes feel like I have passed urine as I feel something all of a sudden move by my private part without my control. when I look there is no urine drops or any liquid drops but I feel like I now need to pass urine sometimes or feel a bit different. Is my wudhu broken?

Answer

No, when nothing has come out, nothing will happen. You must not break your Salaah or think your Wudhu is broken until you are so sure that you can say qasam that somthing has come out or some wind has passed.

If you start following your suspicion, you fall into an illness called "Wahm".

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#15 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2011 15:29

sorry the above was taken from (w w w.tafseer-raheemi. c o m /q-wahm-in-ghusl/)

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